Dietary Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The file attached to this record contains the authors final peer reviewed version of the article. The final publisher's version can be found by following the DOI link.A review of literature to explore whether dietary interventions effective and safe in alleviating pain and joint stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis. There is some evidence that fasting followed by a vegetarian or Mediterranean diet may be beneficial but the high drop-out rate needs to be considered when recommending it to patients. Concordance with any intervention is essential if it is to have long term effect on the outcome of the disease process. The level of benefit experienced by the patient needs to be balanced against the degree of change the patient is willing or able to make. When recommending such dietary interventions, consideration must be taken of the adverse effects of diet on the condition of the patient with RA which may be made worse, and whether it is useful to expose patients to additional nutritional risks

Time Accurate CFD Simulations of the Orion Launch Abort Vehicle in the Transonic Regime

Significant asymmetries in the fluid dynamics were calculated for some cases in the CFD simulations of the Orion Launch Abort Vehicle through its abort trajectories. The CFD simulations were performed steady state with symmetric boundary conditions and geometries. The trajectory points at issue were in the transonic regime, at 0 and 5 angles of attack with the Abort Motors with and without the Attitude Control Motors (ACM) firing. In some of the cases the asymmetric fluid dynamics resulted in aerodynamic side forces that were large enough that would overcome the control authority of the ACMs. MSFC s Fluid Dynamics Group supported the investigation into the cause of the flow asymmetries with time accurate CFD simulations, utilizing a hybrid RANS-LES turbulence model. The results show that the flow over the vehicle and the subsequent interaction with the AB and ACM motor plumes were unsteady. The resulting instantaneous aerodynamic forces were oscillatory with fairly large magnitudes. Time averaged aerodynamic forces were essentially symmetric

Development and Validation of the Learning Disabilities Needs Assessment Tool (LDNAT), a HoNOS-based needs assessment tool for use with people with intellectual disability

Background: In meeting the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) who access health services, a brief, holistic assessment of need is useful. This study outlines the development and testing of the Learning Disabilities Needs Assessment Tool (LDNAT), a tool intended for this purpose. Method: An existing mental health (MH) tool was extended by a multidisciplinary group of ID practitioners. Additional scales were drafted to capture needs across six ID treatment domains that the group identified. LDNAT ratings were analysed for the following: item redundancy, relevance, construct validity and internal consistency (n =1692); test–retest reliability (n = 27); and concurrent validity (n =160). Results: All LDNAT scales were deemed clinically relevant with little redundancy apparent. Principal component analysis indicated three components (developmental needs, challenging behaviour, MH and well-being). Internal consistency was good (Cronbach alpha 0.80). Individual item test–retest reliability was substantial-near perfect for 20 scales and slight-fair for three scales. Overall reliability was near perfect (intra-class correlation =0.91). There were significant associations with five of six conditionspecific measures, i.e. the Waisman Activities of Daily Living Scale (general ability/disability), Threshold Assessment Grid (risk), Behaviour Problems Inventory for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities-Short Form (challenging behaviour) Social Communication Questionnaire (autism) and a bespoke physical health questionnaire. Additionally, the statistically significant correlations between these tools and the LDNAT components made sense clinically. There were no statistically significant correlations with the Psychiatric Assessment Schedules for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (a measure of MH symptoms in people with ID). Conclusions: The LDNAT had clinically utility when rating the needs of people with ID prior to condition-specific assessment(s). Analyses of internal and external validity were promising. Further evaluation of its sensitivity to changes in needs is now required

Sustained participation in open source: A psychological contract approach

We propose the use of the psychological contract as an alternative theoretical lens to study sustained participation and engagement in open source, which is often used as an example of new forms of digitized independent work. Psychological contracts are the set of beliefs held by individuals of their personal exchange with an organization and other actors with which they work. While previous literature has tended to study inducements (e.g., intrinsic or extrinsic motivation) on its own, the psychological contract studies the relation between an individual’s expected inducements and contributions. If these expectations are unmet, a breach can take place that will affect contributor engagement. We suggest the usefulness of this theory in understanding why and how open source participants decide to stop or reduce their involvement. Participants hold multiple psychological contracts with the project, fellow developers, and users. The findings show that breach can be experienced with all of them either due to unmet contributions or inducements. We suggest further research into such breaches is required to understand their consequences on the sustainability of open source projects

Análise avançada de estruturas de aço utilizando limites de deformação baseados no método da resistência contínua

No projeto de estruturas de aço tradicionalmente adotam-se checagens individuais dos membros para garantir a segurança da estrutura nos padrões normativos. A análise avançada consiste na elaboração de modelos em elementos finitos (EF) de barra considerando a não linearidade geométrica, a não linearidade do material e imperfeições geométricas globais. Dessa forma, os mecanismos de falha de toda a estrutura são capturados, garantindo a verificação da segurança em nível global, além de possibilitar a redistribuição de esforços em patamar de plastificação. Por utilizar EF de barra, incapazes de capturar instabilidades locais, a análise avançada fica limitada a seções compactas, que não estão sujeitas à flambagem local e que alcançam grandes níveis de deformação antes da estrutura tornar-se instável. Visando contornar esse problema, neste trabalho é estudada (para seções tipo I) a incorporação na análise avançada dos limites de deformação do Método da Resistência Contínua (MRC) de modo a limitar a capacidade da estrutura. São limites à deformação axial associados ao desenvolvimento da flambagem local, calculados por meio da chamada curva base, que define uma relação entre a deformação máxima e a esbeltez da seção. Faz parte também do MRC modelo constitutivo quadri-linear, que representa a totalidade do comportamento tensão-deformação de peças de aço carbono laminado, permitindo ao método considerar o encruamento do material. Ao final deste trabalho são simuladas estruturas de aço carbono laminado pela técnica da análise avançada com limites de deformação do MRC. Os resultados alcançados são comparados com experimentos e com modelos em EF de casca. A técnica apontou melhor eficiência na determinação da capacidade de estruturas com seções não-esbeltas.In structural steel design member cheks traditionally are adopted to ensure the safety of the structure in the normative standards. The advanced analysis consists in the elaboration of beam finite element (FE) models considering the geometric nonlinearity, material nonlinearity, and geometrical global imperfections. Thus failure mechanisms of the whole structure are captured, ensuring the verification of safety at the global level, besides enabling the strength distributions at the plastic range. By utilizing beam FE, unable to capture local instabilities, the advanced analysis becomes limited to compact sections, which are not subjected to local buckling and reach high levels of deformations before the structural destabilization. To overcome this problem, this work studies (in I cross-sections) the incorporation of the deformation limits of the Continuous Strength Method (CSM) to limit the capacity of the structure in the advanced analysis. These are limits to the axial deformation associated with the development of the local buckling, calculated employing the called base curve, which defines a relationship between maximum deformation and the cross-section slenderness. Belongs to the CSM also the quad-linear constitutive model, which represents the totality of the stress-strain behavior of hot-rolled steel structures, allowing stress at the hardening level to the method. At the end of this work, hot-rolled steel structures are simulated by the technique of advanced analysis with the CSM strain limits. The results achieved are compared with experiments and with models in shell FE. The technic appointed better efficiency in the determination of the capacity of non-slender section structures

Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung auf die Arbeitswelt

In diesem Beitrag wird versucht zu klären, ob und in welchem Ausmaß der Prozess der Digitalisierung im regionalen Wirtschaftsleben zu weitreichenden bzw. dramatischen Auswirkungen führen wird. Die Veränderung der Art und Weise, zu produzieren, verändert auch die Unternehmen und die Anforderungen an die Beschäftigten. Branchenspezifische und qualifikationsbedingte Unterschiede scheinen die unterschiedlich starke Betroffenheit von regionalen Arbeitsmärkten zu beeinflussen. Es stellt sich die Leitfrage, ob Wirtschaftsstrukturen in unterschiedlichen Raumstrukturen - ländlich oder städtisch/verdichtet - unterschiedlich von den Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung auf den Arbeitsmarkt betroffen sind.This paper attempts to clarify whether and to what extent the process of digitalisation will have far-reaching and dramatic effects on regional economic life. Changes in the methods of production are changing companies and the demands made on employees. Differences between industries and the qualifications of the workforce seem to influence the extent to which the regional labour markets are affected. The question arises as to whether economic structures in different spatial settings - rural or urban/ densely settled - are differently impacted by the effects of digitalisation on the labour market

Verkapselung eines Netzhaut-Implantates

Novel micro-photodiodes with an open circuit voltage of V = 2.3 V for the in-vitro stimulation of retinal tissue are designed and manufactured in this work. Three material systems for the encapsulation of retina implants are tested in in-vitro cell cultures: (i) SiOx/SiNy, (ii) benzocyclobutene, (iii) polyimide 2611. Surface sensitive X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy (XPS) and volume- and surface sensitive Fast Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) serve to analyse the chemical composition of the materials; impedance spectroscopy (Z(f)) is employed to observe the electronic behavior of the dielectric materials. XPS and FTIR demonstrate the progressive dissolution of the top SiNx layer of the SiOx/SiNy system by 1...2 nm/d in cell culture media. In contrast, neither XPS nor FTIR show a progressing degradation of the polymers BCB and polyimide after cell culture treatment. Z(f) demonstrates the layer´s high parallel resistance after cell culture tests. However, within the first 24 h of electrolyte treatment after the hot-oven sterilization at a temperature T = 105 C, Z(f) points to a diffusion-like process of electrolyte components into the surface layer of the polyimide. Based on a physical model of the polyimide layer with a columnar-like bulk structure and a high surface roughness, this work develops an electric equivalent circuit for the PI-electrolyte system in the frequency range f = 10^-3 ...10^7 Hz. The diffusion process leads to a smooth interface region, d = 3...10 nm, at the PI's surface where ions or molecules are embedded into the biphenyldianhydride/1,4phenylenediamine (BPDA/PPD) matrix of the polyimide. The "water" uptake does not, however, result in the break up of bonds in the BPDA/PPD backbone structure. As a result of the superior biostability, the polyimide 2611 will be the encapsulation material of the next generation of subretinal implants.In der Arbeit werden a-Si:H Mikrophotodioden mit einer Leerlaufspannung von V = 2.3 V zur in-vitro Stimulation von Netzhäuten neu entwickelt und hergestellt. Drei Materialien zur Verkapselung von Retina Implantaten werden in in-vitro Zellkulturen getestet: (i) SiOx/SiNy, (ii) Benzocyclobuten, (iii) Polyimid 2611. Oberflächenauflösende Röntgen-Photoelektronenspektroskopie (XPS) sowie volumen- und oberflächenempfindliche Fast Fourier Transform Infrarotspektroskopie (FTIR) dienen der Analyse der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Materialien; Impedanzspektroskopie (Z(f)) analysiert die elektrischen Eigenschaften aller drei Dielektrika. XPS und FTIR zeigen eine Auflösung der SiNx Schicht des SiOx/SiNy Systems mit einer Rate von 1...2 nm/d in biologischen Medien. Im Gegensatz dazu bleiben die Polymere BCB und PI während der Behandlung mit Zellkulturen chemisch stabil. Z(f) belegt den hohen Parallelwiderstand der Testschichten nach Behandlung mit Zellkulturen. Innerhalb der ersten 24 h Elektrolytbehandlung nach der Probensterilisation in einem Trockenofen bei einer Temperatur T = 105 C, deutet Z(f) jedoch auf einen diffusionsähnlichen Prozess von Elektrolytkomponenten in eine oberflächennahe Schicht des Polyimid hin. Basierend auf einem physikalischen Modell für PI-Schichten mit einem kolumnar-ähnlichen Volumen und einer hohen Oberflächenrauhigkeit, entwickelt die vorliegende Arbeit ein Ersatzschaltbild für das PI-Elektrolytsystem im Frequenzbereich f = 10^-3...10^7 Hz. Die Diffusion von Elektrolytkomponenten führt zu einem PI-Elektrolyt-Übergangsbereich mit einer Dicke d = 3... 10 nm, in dem eindiffundierte Ionen und Moleküle in die Biphenyldianhydrid/1,4 Phenylendiamin- Matrix (BPDA/PPD) des Polyimids eingebettet sind. Die Aufnahme von Elektrolytbestandteilen führt nicht zum Bruch kovalenter Bindungen im BPDA/PPD Gerüst. Als Konsequenz der überlegenen Biostabilität wird Polyimid 2611 als Verkapselungsmaterial für die nächste Generation von Retina Implantaten eingesetzt werden