A Taxonomy of Best-Reply Multifunctions in 2x2x2 Trimatrix Games

This paper provides an overview of the various shapes the best- reply multifunctions can take in 2×2×2 trimatrix games. It is shown that, unlike in 2×2 bimatrix games, the best replies to the opponents’ pure strategies do not completely determine the structure of the Nash equilibrium set.non-cooperative games;best-reply multifunction;Nash equilibrium

Evaluation of postprocessing dual-energy quantitative computed tomography

CT scanners can be used to provide quantitative information on body composition. Its main application is for bone mineral content estimation within the lumbar vertebral body. This is usually done with a single-energy technique. The estimates obtained with this technique are influenced by the intravertebral fat content, which varies interindividually and with disease. Dual-energy techniques have been proposed to solve the fat-error, but their exact value is unknown. The aim of the studies presented in this thesis, is to evaluate different postprocessing dual-energy methods for quantitative computed tomography for bone mineral and fat content analysis within the trabecular region of the vertebral body. Comparison of these methods by transforming them to a standard set of equations, reveals that only two out of five methods would give optimal results (chapter 3). This is confirmed in phantom studies (chapter 4). In the phantom studies, two major problems for performing postprocessing DEQCT are encountered: 1) the accuracy of the tissue equivalence of reference materials or accuracy of tissue description and 2) the effective energy difference between the site of the vertebral body and the reference device. Using a patient simulation model, the influence of these disturbing factors on the accuracy of bone mineral and fat content estimation is evaluated for different clinical conditions (chapters 5 and 6). The precision of the bone mineral and fat content determination with postprocessing DEQCT is evaluated in chapter 7. In addition to an in vitro experiment, the precision is estimated using the patient simulation model. The results from chapters 5 through 7, show that postprocessing DEQCT can be of value in clinical practice. Postprocessing DEQCT should be used in longitudinal studies on bone mineral content changes, if significant changes in the bone marrow composition are anticipated. Furthermore, postprocessing DEQCT can be used for evaluation of fat content differences between groups of patients. Striking differences in the fat content estimates are seen in a number of patients with different metabolic disorders (chapter 8). It is concluded that the theoretical superb accuracy of bone mineral measurements obtained with postprocessing DEQCT, can be eliminated by practical problems such as improper tissue equivalence of the reference materials and energy differences between the region of interest and the reference device. More research is necessary to obtain an exact knowledge of the elemental compositions and mass densities of the various anatomical structures within the vertebral body, especially intravertebral fat tissue. Beam hardening corrections, implemented in the CT scanner, should be evaluated for their effect on OC

A Taxonomy of Best-Reply Multifunctions in 2x2x2 Trimatrix Games

This paper provides an overview of the various shapes the best- reply multifunctions can take in 2×2×2 trimatrix games. It is shown that, unlike in 2×2 bimatrix games, the best replies to the opponents’ pure strategies do not completely determine the structure of the Nash equilibrium set.

Visualization of neural activity of forager honeybee brain by IEGs

We assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in children with Noonan's syndrome (NS) before and during growth hormone (GH) treatment. Sixteen children (12 boys, 4 girls) with NS aged 5.8-14.2 (mean 10.0) years were studied for 2 years. Anthropometry, BMD measurements by radiographic absorptiometry and bioimpedance measurements (Akern-BIA 101/S) were performed at baseline and after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Daily GH dosage was 0.05 mg/kg. Trabecular volumetric BMD was normal; cortical BMD was in the lower normal range at baseline and slightly increased over the 2 years. Fat free mass and total body water were below normal at the start and increased significantly over the first 3 months, with a slight increment thereafter. Percentage fat mass decreased over the first 6 months and increased thereafter. These findings are comparable to the data on body composition in short normal children and girls with Turner's syndrome treated with GH

Fibroblasts in atherosclerosis:heterogeneous and plastic participants

Purpose of review Fibroblasts are very heterogeneous and plastic cells in the vasculature. A growing interest in fibroblasts in healthy and atherosclerotic vasculature is observed, next to macrophages, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In this review, we discuss fibroblast presence, heterogeneity, origin, and plasticity in health and atherosclerosis based on latest literature. Recent findings With help of single cell sequencing (SCS) techniques, we have gained more insight into presence and functions of fibroblasts in atherosclerosis. Next to SMCs, fibroblasts are extracellular matrix-producing cells abundant in the vasculature and involved in atherogenesis. Fibroblasts encompass a heterogeneous population and SCS data reveal several fibroblast clusters in healthy and atherosclerotic tissue with varying gene expression and function. Moreover, recent findings indicate interesting similarities between adventitial stem and/or progenitor cells and fibroblasts. Also, communication with inflammatory cells opens up a new therapeutic avenue. Because of their highly plastic and heterogeneous nature, modulating fibroblast cell function and communication in the atherosclerotic vessel might be useful in battling atherosclerosis from within the plaque

I need to know:Using the CeHRes roadmap to develop a treatment feedback tool for youngsters with mental health problems

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are often used to monitor treatment outcomes in youth mental health care. Unfortunately, youngsters are rarely informed about the results of their PROMs or, when they are, it is in an insufficient manner. Therefore, a web application was developed—together with youngsters—aimed at giving them feedback about their PROMs. The aim of this study is to describe the development process of the application. An expert panel consisting of youngsters, web designers and researchers, as well as a representative from a client organisation, developed the e-health application INK (short for ‘I Need to Know’) in an iterative process based on the Centre for eHealth Research roadmap (CeHRes roadmap). Youngsters prefer, among other aspects, a simple, easy-to-use e-health application with a colourful appearance and want to be able to compare their results across different time points and informants. The INK tool provides youngsters with insight into their PROM results. Based on the youngsters’ preferences, INK users can choose which feedback information is visible. INK facilitates youngsters’ active participation in their treatment as well as shared decision-making with their professional caregivers

Dexamethasone for the treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting: A randomised dose finding trial.

Dexamethasone is widely used for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) but little is known about its efficacy for the treatment of established PONV. To test the antiemetic efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone for the treatment of established PONV in adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia and to determine whether there is dose-responsiveness. The DexPonv trial is a multicentre, placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, dose-finding study. Inclusion of patients was between September 2012 and November 2017. Follow-up for PONV symptoms was for 24 h. Thirty days postoperatively, patients were contacted by study nurses for any information on postoperative bleeding and infection. Four public hospitals in Switzerland. A total of 803 adults scheduled for elective surgery without any antiemetic prophylaxis signed the consent form; 714 were included. Among those, 319 had PONV and 281 patients were eventually randomised (intention to treat population and safety set). The per protocol set consisted of 260 patients. Patients with PONV symptoms (including retching) were randomised to a single intravenous dose of dexamethasone 3, 6 or 12 mg or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was the absence of further nausea or vomiting (including retching), within 24 h after administration of the study drug. Dexamethasone was ineffective during the first 24 h, whatever the dosage, compared to placebo, even when the model was adjusted for known risk factors (P = 0.170). There were no differences in the time to treatment failure or the quality of sleep during the first night. There was a positive correlation between the dose of dexamethasone and blood glucose concentrations (P < 0.001), but not with bleeding risk, wound infections or other adverse effects. This randomised trial failed to show anti-emetic efficacy of any of the tested intravenous regimens of dexamethasone for the treatment of established PONV in adults undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia. clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01975727)