Regularity of the minimiser of one-dimensional interaction energies

We consider both the minimisation of a class of nonlocal interaction energies over non-negative measures with unit mass and a class of singular integral equations of the first kind of Fredholm type. Our setting covers applications to dislocation pile-ups, contact problems, fracture mechanics and random matrix theory. Our main result shows that both the minimisation problems and the related singular integral equations have the same unique solution, which provides new regularity results on the minimiser of the energy and new positivity results on the solutions to singular integral equations.Comment: 46 page

Upscaling of dislocation walls in finite domains

We wish to understand the macroscopic plastic behaviour of metals by upscaling the micro-mechanics of dislocations. We consider a highly simplified dislocation network, which allows our microscopic model to be a one dimensional particle system, in which the interactions between the particles (dislocation walls) are singular and non-local. As a first step towards treating realistic geometries, we focus on finite-size effects rather than considering an infinite domain as typically discussed in the literature. We derive effective equations for the dislocation density by means of \Gamma-convergence on the space of probability measures. Our analysis yields a classification of macroscopic models, in which the size of the domain plays a key role

Maintaining New Markets: Determinants of Antitrust Enforcement in Central and Eastern Europe

While others have examined the implementation and/or the stringency of enforcement of antitrust laws in post-socialist economies, this paper is the first study that attempts to explain the determinants of antitrust enforcement activity across post-socialist countries using economic and political variables. Using a panel of ten European post-socialist countries over periods ranging from 4 to 11 years, we find a number of significant determinants of enforcement in these countries. For example, larger economies engage in more antitrust enforcement, and countries have tended to increase their enforcement efforts over time. Our results also suggest that countries characterized by more unionization and less corruption tend to engage in greater antitrust enforcement of all types. Countries more successful in privatizing have filed fewer cases, while more affluent or developed countries investigate fewer cases of all types, consistent with an income-shifting motivation for antitrust.Antitrust Enforcement, Central and Eastern Europe, Competition Policy JEL classification: L4, P3

Honduras: Factors Underlying Immigration to the United States

This thesis examines the relationship between out-migration from Honduras, US policy, and conditions in Honduras. More particularly, it examines the violent and repressive conditions in Honduras along with US Military Assistance from 1980 to 2017. I look at the impact of US immigration policy on migration flows into the United States. Using data from World Bank databank, the US Foreign Aid Greenbook, the World Development Report, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), and the Political Terror Scale (PTS), I argue that violent conditions in Honduras, US military aid, and US immigration policy have significantly contributed to the ongoing exodus from Honduras to the United States between 1980 and 2017

ICU at home, with the use of mobile IC unit services:intensive care goes that extra mile

In this report we describe a patient with a long ICU stay because of severe Guillain Barré syndrome. Treatment was patient-centred and Mobile ICU facilities were used to facilitate an ICU at home for one day. Early focus on individual needs and wishes and close communication with and within ICU treatment teams can help to improve the long-term consequences of ICU admission. Research on which interventions are effective and most cost-effective need to be performed

Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy for Pulmonary Disorders of the Term and Preterm Infant

The 21st century began with the FDA approval of inhaled nitric oxide therapy for the treatment of neonatal hypoxic respiratory failure associated with pulmonary hypertension in recognition of the two randomized clinical trials demostrating a significant reduction in the need for extracorporeal support in the term and near-term infant. Inhaled nitric oxide is one of only a few therapeutic agents approved for use through clinical investigations primarily in the neonate. This article provides an overview of the pertinent biology and chemistry of nitric oxide, discusses potential toxicities, and reviews the results of pertinent clinical investigations and large randomized clinical trials including neurodevelopmental follow-up in term and preterm neonates. The clinical investigations conducted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network will be discussed and placed in context with other pertinent clinical investigations exploring the efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in neonatal hypoxic respiratory failure

Prescription of the first prosthesis and later use in children with congenital unilateral upper limb deficiency: A systematic review

Background: The prosthetic rejection rates in children with an upper limb transversal reduction deficiency are considerable. It is unclear whether the timing of the first prescription of the prosthesis contributes to the rejection rates. Objective: To reveal whether scientific evidence is available in literature to confirm the hypothesis that the first prosthesis of children with an upper limb deficiency should be prescribed before two years of age. We expect lower rejection rates and better functional outcomes in children fitted at young age. Methods: A computerized search was performed in several databases (Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Amed, Psycinfo, PiCarta and the Cochrane database). A combination of the following keywords and their synonyms was used: "prostheses, upper limb, upper extremity, arm and congenital''. Furthermore, references of conference reports, references of most relevant studies, citations of most relevant studies and related articles were checked for relevancy. Results: The search yielded 285 publications, of which four studies met the selection criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was low. All studies showed a trend of lower rejection rates in children who were provided with their first prosthesis at less than two years of age. The pooled odds ratio of two studies showed a higher rejection rate in children who were fitted over two years of age ( pooled OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-8.0). No scientific evidence was found concerning the relation between the age at which a prosthesis was prescribed for the first time and functional outcomes. Conclusion: In literature only little evidence was found for a relationship between the fitting of a first prosthesis in children with a congenital upper limb deficiency and rejection rates or functional outcomes. As such, clinical practice of the introduction of a prosthesis is guided by clinical experience rather than by evidence-based medicine