Dynamic reconfiguration for middleware-based applications

Distributed systems with high availability requirements have to allow reconfiguration of the system without being taken off-line. Examples of reconfigurations are the replacement of a component with a newer version, or the migration of a component to another node. A key issue for reconfiguration is maintaining the correctness of the system, which can be very complex due to the number of components, unclear relations between components, heterogeneity in operating systems and programming languages, and physical distribution of components. In this paper, we describe a new approach for dynamic reconfiguration of middleware-based applications that is more transparent for the application developer than existing approaches. We compare our approach with other approaches, and describe a prototype that implements our approach for CORBA-based applications

Colloidal aggregation in microgravity by critical Casimir forces

By using the critical Casimir force, we study the attractive strength dependent aggregation of colloids with and without gravity by means of Near Field scattering. Significant differences were seen between microgravity and ground experiments, both in the structure of the formed fractal aggregates as well as the kinetics of growth. Ground measurements are severely affected by sedimentation resulting in reaction limited behavior. In microgravity, a purely diffusive behavior is seen reflected both in the measured fractal dimensions for the aggregates as well as the power law behavior in the rate of growth. Formed aggregates become more open as the attractive strength increases.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Associations between alcohol consumption and anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors

Purpose  Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). It is currently poorly understood, however, how alcohol and different alcoholic beverage types are related to psychosocial outcomes in CRC survivors.  Methods  We used data of N = 910 CRC survivors from the pooled EnCoRe and PROCORE cohorts and harmonized them into five time points: at diagnosis and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-diagnosis. Generalized estimated equation models were used to examine longitudinal associations of alcohol consumption, including consumption of beer, wine, and liquor, with anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while correcting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.  Results  Survivors were on average 67 years and 37% was female. In the first 2 years post-diagnosis, survivors who consumed more alcoholic drinks/week reported lower anxiety and depressive symptoms and better HRQoL on all domains and symptom scales. This was the case for moderate and heavy amounts of alcohol and mostly for consuming beer and wine, but not for liquor. Associations were more often significant for men and for younger persons (< 67 years at baseline).  Conclusions  Generally, alcohol consumption was observed to be longitudinally related to less anxiety and depression and better HRQoL in CRC survivors. Implications for Cancer Survivors Although alcohol consumption is generally unfavorable due to increased risk of carcinogenesis and worse prognosis after CRC, it seems to be associated with better psychosocial outcomes in the first 2 years after diagnosis and treatment. More research is needed to gain knowledge about reasons for drinking and causality. Netherlands Trial Registry (www.trialregister.nl, NL6904

PIN71 QUALITY OF LIFE (QOL) AND OTHER ENDPOINTS COMPARISON IN THE TREATMENT OF FACIAL LIPOATROPHY WITH INJECTION OF POLY-L-LACTIC ACID

Context: Longitudinal data on bone mineral density(BMD) in children and adolescents with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) during long-term GH treatment are not available. Objective: This study aimed to determine effects of long-term GH treatment and puberty on BMD of total body (BMDTB), lumbar spine (BMDLS), and bone mineral apparent density of the lumbar spine (BMAD(LS)) in children with PWS. Design and Setting: This was a prospective longitudinal study of a Dutch PWS cohort. Participants: Seventy-seven children with PWS who remained prepubertal during GH treatment for 4 years and 64 children with PWS who received GH treatment for 9 years participated in the study. Intervention: The children received GH treatment, 1 mg/m(2)/day (congruent to 0.035 mg/kg/d). Main Outcome Measures: BMDTB, BMDLS, and BMAD(LS) was measured by using the same dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry machine for all annual measurements. Results: In the prepubertal group, BMDTB standard deviation score (SDS) and BMDLSSDS significantly increased during 4 years of GH treatment whereas BMAD(LS)SDS remained stable. During adolescence, BMDTBSDS and BMAD(LS)SDS decreased significantly, in girls from the age of 11 years and in boys from the ages of 14 and 16 years, respectively, but all BMD parameters remained within the normal range. Higher Tanner stages tended to be associated with lower BMDTBSDS (P = .083) and a significantly lowerBMAD(LS)SDS (P = .016). After 9 years of GH treatment, lean body mass SDS was the most powerful predictor of BMDTBSDS and BMDLSSDS in adolescents with PWS. Conclusions: This long-term GH study demonstrates that BMDTB, BMDLS, and BMAD(LS) remain stable in prepubertal children with PWS but decreases during adolescence, parallel to incomplete pubertal development. Based on our findings, clinicians should start sex hormone therapy from the age of 11 years in girls and 14 years in boys unless there is a normal progression of puberty

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthcare workers in Dutch hospitals after the 2020 first wave:a multicentre cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up

BACKGROUND: We aimed to estimate the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) seroprevalence and describe its determinants and associated symptoms among unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) after the first wave of the pandemic.METHODS: HCWs from 13 Dutch hospitals were screened for antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in June-July 2020 and after three months. Participants completed a retrospective questionnaire on determinants for occupational and community exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 experienced since January 2020. The seroprevalence was calculated per baseline characteristic and symptom at baseline and after follow-up. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for seropositivity were determined using logistic regression.RESULTS: Among 2328 HCWs, 323 (13.9%) were seropositive at enrolment, 49 of whom (15%) reported no previous symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. During follow-up, only 1% of the tested participants seroconverted. Seroprevalence was higher in younger HCWs compared to the mid-age category (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.18). Nurses (aOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.34-3.64) and administrative staff (aOR 1.87, 95% CI 1.02-3.43) had a higher seroprevalence than physicians. The highest seroprevalence was observed in HCWs in the emergency department (ED) (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.10-2.91), the lowest in HCWs in the intensive, high, or medium care units (aOR 0.47, 95% CI 0.31-0.71). Chronic respiratory disease, smoking, and having a dog were independently associated with a lower seroprevalence, while HCWs with diabetes mellitus had a higher seroprevalence. In a multivariable model containing all self-reported symptoms since January 2020, altered smell and taste, fever, general malaise/fatigue, and muscle aches were positively associated with developing antibodies, while sore throat and chills were negatively associated.CONCLUSIONS: The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in unvaccinated HCWs of 13 Dutch hospitals was 14% in June-July 2020 and remained stable after three months. A higher seroprevalence was observed in the ED and among nurses, administrative and young staff, and those with diabetes mellitus, while a lower seroprevalence was found in HCWs in intensive, high, or medium care, and those with self-reported lung disease, smokers, and dog owners. A history of altered smell or taste, fever, muscle aches and fatigue were independently associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in unvaccinated HCWs.</p