Here in the City: Architecture of Lost Spaces

Can lost space be revitalized to promote the culture of the city? In every city lost space resides. These are slivers and awkward portions of space where no traditional use works. Often found in between buildings, and under overpasses these spaces occur as a result of passive actions. These urban spaces are essential to every street you walk past as they have an enormous power to set the tone of the urban conversation. This thesis looks to revitalize lost spaces and bring light into the urban void. This thesis looks to open up the dialect by targeting a forgotten space in the Lowertown neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Currently, the lost space serves as a concrete slab that used to carry many trains to the Union Depot station. Today the site only has one functioning train track, leaving a vast open space in the city next to the Mississippi River. Due to the loss in function the site has become desolate while the sidewalks around it are full of pedestrians. An urban renewal could open up the culture of the local neighborhood and provide identity

Older Adults Fighting Obesity with Bariatric Surgery: Benefits, Side Effects and Outcomes

The prevalence of obesity has increased at a rapid rate indicating that it is one of the fastest growing diseases in the older adult population. Since life expectancy has increased, some obese older adults are living longer; their quality of life may be compromised. Obese older adults may be facing years of discomfort, lack of mobility, and chronic ill health. This study compares bariatric surgery outcomes across four adult age groups, specifically comparing changes in body mass index (BMI), surgery side effects, existing disease outcomes and quality of life concerns. Satisfaction with the surgery and weight loss is also reviewed as well as the patients overall feelings about their health and future. The research design for this study was a survey method, using a cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire. The 534 respondents who were 18 months or more post- surgery were divided into four age groups in years: 18-49 (n=171), 50-59 (n=148), 60-69 (n=138) and ≥ 70 (n=77). All age groups lost weight after bariatric surgery and all groups experienced some weight regain. The older and oldest age groups were as successful at losing weight and keeping it off as the young and midlife age groups. There were significant improvements in eight chronic diseases across all age groups. Older and oldest age groups had similar or better outcomes compared to the young and midlife groups on most diseases and had fewer side effects. Satisfaction with the weight loss since surgery was reported by over 79% of all the age groups, and there were significant improvements in quality of life among all age groups. While all the age groups improved greatly, the young age group (ages 18 – 49) perceptions seemed less positive than the other three age groups which were all 50 years old and older. In conclusion bariatric surgery should be considered for disease management for older adults as much as it is for younger adults

Joseph Marx:ein spätromantischer Komponist ; Betrachtungen zu seiner Biographie und seinem symphonischen Schaffen

Betrachtungen zur Biographie von Joseph Marx mit dem Schwerpunkt auf den Zeitraum 1938 bis 1945. Marxens Nähe und seine Distanz zur NSDAP und seine Offenheit gegenüber jüdischen Schülern und jüdischen Freunden. Analyse seines symphonischen Schaffen: "Eine Herbstsymphonie", "Feste im Herbst", "Naturtrilogie" und "Nordland-Rhapsodie" unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Beziehung zu seinem Liedschaffen, sowie Hinweise auf ähnliche Strukturen in Werken anderer Komponisten, sowie Hinweise auf ähnliche Strukturen in eigenen Werken. Ausarbeitung der Kriterien des Kompositionsstils von Joseph Marx mit besonderer Analyse des "Marx-Akkordes"

Older adults fighting obesity with bariatric surgery: Benefits, side effects, and outcomes

The aging population is growing exponentially worldwide. Associated with this greater life expectancy is the increased burden of chronic health conditions, many of which are exacerbated by the continued rise in obesity. In the US, the prevalence of obesity in adults aged 60 years and older increased from 23.6% to 37% in 2010. Objectives: This review examines bariatric surgery as a treatment option for obese adults > 60 years old. The most common types of weight-loss surgery are laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, vertical sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and the duodenal switch. Methods: A comprehensive literature search found 349 articles that referred to bariatric surgery in older adults. Of these, 70 relevant articles on bariatric surgery for older adults were utilized for this article. Results: Weight-loss surgery procedures were found to be equally safe for both older adults and their younger counterparts. Pre-surgical psychological assessment is critical for positive outcomes for older adults. Benefits of bariatric surgery include a decrease in comorbidities, chronic disease risk, and medication use coupled with improved mobility and quality of life outcomes. Side effects include surgical failure, changes in psychological status, and increased physical and mental stress. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery can offer patients an effective and long-lasting treatment for obesity and related diseases. There does not appear to be any one bariatric procedure that is recommended for older adults, so individual needs should be taken into consideration when exploring options. Costs range from US$17,000 for laparoscopic procedures to US$26,000 for open gastric surgeries. Estimated savings start accruing within 3 months of surgery making bariatric surgery a serious cost saving consideration