Computer analysis of longitudinal strength of ships

The purpose of the work was to produce a programme to calculate as accurately as possible the distributions of weight and buoyancy of a vessel, leading to the determination of sheer force and bending moment at each of 101 equally spaced ordinates overall. Calculations may be performed for still water or sine wave conditions. The programme, which provides tabular and/or graphical output, is written in Elliott Autocode and is in the Applications Group library of Elliott Automation Limited. It is extensively labelled and is flow charted throughout, the symbols used being those of the British Standards Institution, and illustrated in the glossary. A fairly detailed look into the ‘end lengths’ suggested by Lloyd’s (their Rpt. SR 64/15) has been undertaken in connection with the distribution of the continuous material. Ordinate tilting has been used, in the main, as opposed to ‘base swinging’ techniques, the reasons being fully explained in the text. The programme was approved by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping in August 1966, (except for those parts relating to (i) the coffin method for the continuous material and (ii) the application in a sine wave - which parts Lloyd's did hot check). It has also been further successfully tested by them in November, 1966. Comparisons with programmes written by Vickers Armstrong’s Limited, Barrow in Furness, B.S.R.A., Walls end, and the Naval Architecture Department of Glasgow University, on the same topic are included as an Appendix. Graphical results obtained by Lloyd's, B.S.R.A's and by this programme for one locally built vessel are included, for purposes of comparison. Results illustrated in the thesis are in both tabular and graphical form throughout

Nonobstructing Colonic Dilatation and Colon Perforations Following Renal Transplantation

Nonobstructing colonic dilatation has not been commonly reported following renal transplantation, and colon perforations carry a high morbidity and mortality in this population. During a 7-year period, nonobstructing colonic dilatation developed in 13 adults 1 to 13 days after renal transplantation. Twelve (92%) of the 13 had poorly functioning allografts. Five (83%) of the 6 with and 2 (29%) of the 7 without colonoscopy had resolution of nonobstructing colonic dilatation. Of the seven right-sided colon perforations during this period, six were associated with nonobstructing colonic dilatation. An additional 4 patients had diverticular perforations in the left colon. Of a total of 11 patients with colon perforation, 7 had surgery within 24 hours of the perforation and 6 (86%) of these survived. Only 1 (25%) of the 4 having surgery more than 24 hours later survived. Six of the survivors retained functioning allografts. Nonobstructing colonic dilatation seems to be a potential complication of poor graft function after renal transplantation, and colonoscopy is effective in its treatment. In patients with colon perforations, early surgery and reduced immunosuppression are essential in decreasing mortality. © 1990, American Medical Association. All rights reserved

The Y-Band at 1.035 um: Photometric Calibration and the Dwarf Stellar/Sub-Stellar Color Sequence

We define and characterize a photometric bandpass (called "Y") that is centered at 1.035 um, in between the traditionally classified ``optical'' and ``infrared'' spectral regimes. We present Y magnitudes and Y-H and Y-K colors for a sample consisting mostly of photometric and spectral standards, spanning the spectral type range sdO to T5V. Deep molecular absorption features in the near-infrared spectra of extremely cool objects are such that the Y-H and Y-K colors grow rapidly with advancing spectral type especially from late M through mid L, substantially more rapidly than J-H or H-K which span a smaller total dynamic range. Consistent with other near-infrared colors, however, Y-H and Y-K colors turn blueward in the L6-L8 temperature range with later T-type objects having colors similar to those of warmer M and L stars. Use of the Y-band filter is nonetheless promising for easy identification of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs, especially at young ages. The slope of the interstellar reddening vector within this filter is A_Y = 0.38 x A_V. Reddening moves stars nearly along the YHK dwarf color sequence making it more difficult to distinguish unambiguously very low mass candidate brown dwarf objects from higher mass stars seen, e.g. through the galactic plane or towards star-forming regions. Other diagrams involving the Y-band may be somewhat more discriminating.Comment: accepted at PAS

APPLICATIONS OF ESTIMABLE FUNCTIONS IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE GLM PROCEDURE OF SAS.

An understanding of estimable functions is essential when using an overparameterized linear model. The most attractive features of these functions are their invariance property to the solution vector and their wide range of practical applications in agricultural research. This study reviews some of the ways that estimable functions can be used by the agricultural scientist

A modified technique of orthotopic transplant of the kidney in rabbits

In this study kidneys were harvested from bred-for-research cats weighing 4 to 5 kg. General principles of donor bilateral nephrectomy en bloc with aorta, vena cava, renal vessels, and ureters were followed. After the harvest the grafts were placed in lactated Ringer slush. A cuff was prepared on the renal vein over a 10 French plastic tube. The aorta was divided and left in connection with the renal artery at each side. Twenty female checkered Flemish giant rabbits weighing 4.0-6.0 kg served as recipients. After premedication with 40 mg/kg of ketamine, anesthesia was maintained with repeated doses (every 10-15 min) of a 0.1-mL mixture of 5 parts ketamine and 1 part acepromazine diluted 50% in a normal saline. Arterial pressure, CVP, blood gases, and temperature were monitored. Through a limited midline incision a native left nephrectomy was performed. The venous anastomosis was performed with a cuff technique without clamping the vena cava (which causes severe hemodynamic instability); the anastomotic time was 2-3 min. The arterial anastomosis was performed with an end-to-side aorta-to-aorta anastomosis; the anastomotic time was 5 to 7 min. There were no episodes of venous or arterial thrombosis. The donor procedure took approximately 40 min, and the backtable preparation of the graft an additional 45 to 60 min. Preparation of the recipient for the anastomosis took 15 min and the anastomotic time (warm ischemia) was 13 +/- 5 min. In this model suitable for xenograft research the duration of the surgery in the recipient has been greatly reduced because of (1) the previous backtable preparation of the graft, and (2) the cuff technique used for venous anastomosis. The present anesthesia regimen and careful hemodynamic monitoring were also important in the success of this model

Study protocol: The Adherence and Intensification of Medications (AIM) study - a cluster randomized controlled effectiveness study

Abstract Background Many patients with diabetes have poor blood pressure (BP) control. Pharmacological therapy is the cornerstone of effective BP treatment, yet there are high rates both of poor medication adherence and failure to intensify medications. Successful medication management requires an effective partnership between providers who initiate and increase doses of effective medications and patients who adhere to the regimen. Methods In this cluster-randomized controlled effectiveness study, primary care teams within sites were randomized to a program led by a clinical pharmacist trained in motivational interviewing-based behavioral counseling approaches and authorized to make BP medication changes or to usual care. This study involved the collection of data during a 14-month intervention period in three Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and two Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities. The clinical pharmacist was supported by clinical information systems that enabled proactive identification of, and outreach to, eligible patients identified on the basis of poor BP control and either medication refill gaps or lack of recent medication intensification. The primary outcome is the relative change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements over time. Secondary outcomes are changes in Hemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), medication adherence determined from pharmacy refill data, and medication intensification rates. Discussion Integration of the three intervention elements - proactive identification, adherence counseling and medication intensification - is essential to achieve optimal levels of control for high-risk patients. Testing the effectiveness of this intervention at the team level allows us to study the program as it would typically be implemented within a clinic setting, including how it integrates with other elements of care. Trial Registration The ClinicalTrials.gov registration number is NCT00495794.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78258/1/1745-6215-11-95.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78258/2/1745-6215-11-95.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78258/3/1745-6215-11-95-S1.DOCPeer Reviewe