Comparing field observations of sorting patterns along tidal sand waves with theoretical predictions

We present a site-by-site comparison between field observations and model predictions of grains size variations over tidal sand waves at six sites in the North Sea. To drive the model, at each location, local sediment characteristics are derived from the described field data, while hydrodynamic conditions are determined from a numerical model for tidal wave propagation in the North Sea. It is found that the theoretical model providesreasonable estimates of the occurring tidally generated bed forms. Moreover, at five of the six locations, the modeldescribes a sorting pattern which concurs with the observed sediment grain size variation, indicating that the model provides a fair description of the processes governing the phenomenon

Serial indium-111-labelled IgG biodistribution in rat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a tool to monitor the course and severity of the infection

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A Capacity Allocation Planning Model for Integrated Care and Access Management

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146954/1/poms12941-sup-0001-AppendixS1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146954/2/poms12941_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146954/3/poms12941.pd

Experimental investigation on consolidation behavior of mud: Subreport 1. Methodology study

Due to the complex nature of mud consolidation within harbours, a robust and accurate guideline to evaluate the nautical depth is still under debate. Besides, alternative dredging techniques (e.g. mud conditioning/fluidising) have proven to be an applicable method to reduce dredging costs in a number of harbours. Yet, before one can define new criteria for nautical depth or implement new dredging techniques, a deeper understanding of the temporal evolution of rheological, mechanical and biological characteristics of mud is needed. In this study, we aim to improve the understanding of the rheological properties of consolidating mud by comparing the consolidation process of mud from 5 different locations namely the harbours of Zeebrugge (ZB) and Deurganckdok (DG) in Belgium, the harbours of Rotterdam (RO) and Ijmuiden (IJ) in the Netherlands and the Emden (EM) harbour in Germany. The main objectives of this project are to examine the effect of the consolidation process on the mechanical, rheological and biological characteristics of mud as well as to explain the differences in consolidation processes between muds from different origins.This sub-report describes the properties of different mud types used for the experiments as well as the experimental setup. The experimental setup includes a detailed description of the governing parameters, experimental design and measurement techniques conducted on two different consolidation columns, small and large

F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with CT in critically ill patients with suspected infection

Contains fulltext : 88623.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)PURPOSE: To assess the value of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) combined with CT in critically ill patients suspected of having an infection. METHODS: FDG-PET CT scans requested for evaluation of a suspected infection or inflammatory process in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients were analyzed (blinded for the final clinical diagnosis) and compared with clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five FDG-PET/CT scans performed in 33 ICU patients (28 adults and 5 children), median age 58 years (range 1 month-72 years), were analyzed. Twenty-one FDG-PET/CT scans were true positive. Three FDG-PET/CT scans were considered false positive, in one case leading to additional diagnostic procedures (specificity 79%). Additionally, 11 true negatives were found (sensitivity 100%), leading to an overall accuracy of 91%. CONCLUSIONS: FDG-PET/CT scanning is of additional value in the evaluation of suspected infection in critically ill patients in whom conventional diagnostics did not lead to a diagnosis. Apart from the high accuracy, in this study it appeared that, in addition to conventional diagnostic techniques that were routinely performed, a normal FDG-PET/CT ruled out important infections requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy or drainage. Since sensitivity is lower in highly metabolic active tissues (e.g., endocarditis, meningitis), the FDG-PET/CT scan is not suited to detect infections in these tissues.01 maart 201

Contribution of chronic diseases to the mild and severe disability burden in Belgium

Background: Population aging accompanied by an increased longevity with disability has raised international concern, especially due to its costs to the health care systems. Chronic diseases are the main causes of physical disability and their simultaneous occurrence in the population can impact the disablement process, resulting in different severity levels. In this study, the contribution of chronic diseases to both mild and severe disability burden in Belgium was investigated. Methods: Data on 21 chronic diseases and disability from 35,799 individuals aged 15years or older who participated in the 1997, 2001, 2004, or 2008 Belgian Health Interview Surveys were analysed. Mild and severe disability were defined based on questions related to six activities of daily living and/or mobility limitations. To attribute disability by severity level to selected chronic diseases, multiple additive hazard models were fitted to each disability outcome, separately for men and women. Results: A stable prevalence of mild (5%) and severe (2-3%) disability was observed for the Belgian population aged 15years or older between 1997 and 2008. Arthritis was the most important contributor in women with mild and severe disability. In men, low back pain and chronic respiratory diseases contributed most to the mild and severe disability burden, respectively. The contribution also differed by age: for mild disability, depression and chronic respiratory diseases were important contributors among young individuals, while heart attack had a large contribution for older individuals. For severe disability, neurological diseases and stroke presented a large contribution in young and elderly individuals, respectively. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the assessment of the contribution of chronic diseases on disability is more informative if different levels of disability are taken into consideration. The identification of diseases which are related to different levels of disability - mild and severe - can assist policymakers in the definition and prioritisation of strategies to tackle disability, involving prevention, rehabilitation programs, support services, and training for disabled individuals