Valuation of functions of the Wadden Area

The rationale of this position paper is to explore ways to employ valuation methods to assess the impacts of alternative policy decisions on the functions of the Wadden Area. Based on this rationale, this paper aims to bring an ecological-economic perspective on the benefits of the Wadden Area. It highlights key issues involved in the notion and application of monetary valuation methods for valuing the (ecological) functions of the area. It also pays attention to the development of policy handles on the basis of the outcome of the valuation of ecological functions. Particularly, the paper discuss Payment for Environmental Services (PES), which aims at preservation and protection by purchasing conservation. The use of a valuation instrument within a Payment for Environmental Services Scheme is new. Valuation is of course an established technique within a Cost-Benefit framework. However, Payment for Environmental Services is an innovative way of designing policy instruments in the collaboration between ecologists and economist

OH-selected AGB and post-AGB objects I.Infrared and maser properties

Using 766 compact objects from a survey of the galactic Plane in the 1612-MHz OH line, new light is cast on the infrared properties of evolved stars on the TP-AGB and beyond. The usual mid-infrared selection criteria, based on IRAS colours, largely fail to distinguish early post-AGB stages. A two-colour diagram from narrower-band MSX flux densities, with bimodal distributions, provides a better tool to do the latter. Four mutually consistent selection criteria for OH-masing red PPNe are given, as well as two for early post-AGB masers and one for all post--AGB masers, including the earliest ones. All these criteria miss a group of blue, high-outflow post-AGB sources with 60-mum excess; these will be discussed in detail in Paper II. The majority of post-AGB sources show regular double-peaked spectra in the OH 1612-MHz line, with fairly low outflow velocities, although the fractions of single peaks and irregular spectra may vary with age and mass. The OH flux density shows a fairly regular relation with the stellar flux and the envelope optical depth, with the maser efficiency increasing with IRAS colour R21. The OH flux density is linearly correlated with the 60-mum flux density.Comment: 16 pages, LaTex, 22 figures, AJ (accepted

An Attempt to Detect the Galactic Bulge at 12 microns with IRAS

Surface brightness maps at 12 microns, derived from observations with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), are used to estimate the integrated flux at this wavelength from the Galactic bulge as a function of galactic latitude along the minor axis. A simple model was used to remove Galactic disk emission (e.g. unresolved stars and dust) from the IRAS measurements. The resulting estimates are compared with predictions for the 12 micron bulge surface brightness based on observations of complete samples of optically identified M giants in several minor axis bulge fields. No evidence is found for any significant component of 12m emission in the bulge other than that expected from the optically identified M star sample plus normal, lower luminosity stars. Known large amplitude variables and point sources from the IRAS catalogue contribute only a small fraction to the total 12 micron flux.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 13 pages of text including tables in MS WORD97 generated postscript; 3 figures in postscript by Sigma Plo

Grasping the Links in the Chain: Understanding the Unintended Consequences of International Counter-Narcotics Measures for the EU

No abstract available

Het testen van een thermistorcryoscoop op de geschiktheid voor de bepaling van het vriespunt van Nederlandse koemelk

In 1986 zijn 2 typen van een nieuw vriespuntsbepalingsapparaat (thermistorcryoscoop) van het Duitse merk Funke Gerber op de markt. Voor het type CryoStar II automatic van dit merk is nagegaan of dit apparaat geschikt is voor de bepaling van het vriespunt van Nederlandse koemelk. Hierbij is gebruik gemaakt van monsters bestaande uit individuele koemelk en mengmelk

The Effect of Unenhanced MRI on the Surgeons' Decision-Making Process in Females with Suspected Appendicitis

This prospective study evaluated the impact of the results of unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the surgeon's diagnosis of acute appendicitis in potentially fertile females. 112 female patients, aged 12-55, with suspected appendicitis underwent MRI of the abdomen. At three defined intervals; admission and clinical re-evaluation before and after revealing the MRI results, the surgeon recorded the attendance of each patient in operative treatment, observation or discharge. Appendicitis was confirmed or declined by pathology or by telephone follow-up in case of non-intervention. Appendicitis was confirmed in 29 of 112 patients. At admission the surgeon's disposition had a sensitivity of 97 % and specificity of 29 %. After knowing the MRI results, sensitivity was 97 % and specificity 64 %. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI alone were 89 and 100 %, with a negative and positive predictive value of 96 and 100 %, respectively. We believe that MRI should perhaps be standard in all female patients during their reproductive years with suspected appendicitis. It avoids an operation in 32 % of cases and allows earlier planning for patients with an equivocal clinical picture. Trial number: OND1292733 (Narcis.nl)

Anterolateral proximal tibial opening wedge osteotomy for biplanar correction in genu valgum recurvatum using patient specific instrumentation (PSI):A technical note

BACKGROUND: Biplanar anterolateral proximal tibial opening wedge osteotomy has been described as successful for patients with combined recurvatum and valgus alignment. As it is a correction in two planes, it is a technically demanding procedure. We report the use of a novel technique with patient specific instrumentation (PSI) guides for different steps, aiming to reduce the complexity of this procedure. METHODS: One patient was treated for genu valgum recurvatum. A virtual surgical plan was made. A two-step PSI approach was used, consisting of an osteotomy guide and a repositioning guide and a custom trial wedges. RESULTS: Follow-up showed full function and improved VAS and KOOS scores. A neutral alignment was achieved. There was 2.76 degrees less varus compared to pre-operative planning, 1.24 degrees of excess slope and a rotational difference of 0.10 degrees. Saw plane accuracy was within 1 mm. CONCLUSIONS: PSI is a recent technical addition to HTOs as a modality to improve accuracy and reduce surgical complexity. Pre-planning and PSI use in an anterolateral opening wedge PTO allowed for an accurate and reproducible biplanar correction in genu valgum recurvatum. Accuracy was comparable to PSI use in lateral open wedge high tibial osteotomies