UV and EUV Instruments

We describe telescopes and instruments that were developed and used for astronomical research in the ultraviolet (UV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The wavelength ranges covered by these bands are not uniquely defined. We use the following convention here: The EUV and UV span the regions ~100-912 and 912-3000 Angstroem respectively. The limitation between both ranges is a natural choice, because the hydrogen Lyman absorption edge is located at 912 Angstroem. At smaller wavelengths, astronomical sources are strongly absorbed by the interstellar medium. It also marks a technical limit, because telescopes and instruments are of different design. In the EUV range, the technology is strongly related to that utilized in X-ray astronomy, while in the UV range the instruments in many cases have their roots in optical astronomy. We will, therefore, describe the UV and EUV instruments in appropriate conciseness and refer to the respective chapters of this volume for more technical details.Comment: To appear in: Landolt-Boernstein, New Series VI/4A, Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology; Instruments and Methods, ed. J.E. Truemper, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 201

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Memory and adaptive behaviour in population dynamics: Anti-predator behaviour as a case study

Memory enables to forecast future on the basis of experience, and thus, in some form, is principally important for the development of flexible adaptive behaviour by animal communities. To model memory, in this paper we use the concept of hysteresis, which mathematically is described by the Preisach operator. As case study, we consider anti-predator adaptation in the classic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model. Despite its simplicity, the model allows to naturally incorporate essential features of an adaptive system and memory. Our analysis and simulations show that a system with memory can have a continuum of equilibrium states with non-trivial stability properties

Speech and Language Outcomes in Preschool-Aged Survivors of Neonatal Intensive-Care

This paper reports on the second stage of a longitudinal follow-up of the speech and language outcomes in a cohort of children who required neonatal intensive care. From 3 years of age, when the first stage was completed, to preschool age, the rate for major overall communication problems rose from 13% to 17%. However, when children with frank neurological or intellectual problems were excluded, this figure dropped to 8%. The impact of perinatal, medical and environmental variables on speech and language outcomes was again investigated. Differences were found between those that were important at 3 years of age and those that were important at preschool age. New variables emerged as contributing to language expression, including gender and the perinatal variables, gestational age and respiratory distress syndrome. Maternal education level was even more important to language comprehension at preschool age than at 3 years of age. Factors that might explain improvement, or lack of improvement, in speech and language skills are discussed

Speech and Language Outcomes 3 Years After Neonatal Intensive-Care

Although major handicap rates have been documented in children who required neonatal intensive care, minor handicap rates, including speech and language problems, have received less attention. This paper reports the first stage of a longitudinal study of 118 children, which investigated the speech and language outcomes at 3 years of age. Differences from the normal population were found for the articulation measure, but not for the language comprehension and expression measures used. A major overall communication problem was determined to exist in 13% of the children. The impact of perinatal, medical and environmental variables was investigated. Variables such as low birthweight, short gestational age and mechanical ventilation, found to be important in other studies, had no significant impact on the speech and language outcomes of this cohort of 3 year olds. However, for children who had experienced respiratory distress syndrome, there was an effect on articulation and language expression. Paediatric complications and maternal education level had the largest effects on language comprehension and expression, suggesting they were the persistent variables which most contributed to speech and language outcomes at 3 years of age