Decentralised Clinical Guidelines Modelling with Lightweight Coordination Calculus

Background: Clinical protocols and guidelines have been considered as a major means to ensure that cost-effective services are provided at the point of care. Recently, the computerisation of clinical guidelines has attracted extensive research interest. Many languages and frameworks have been developed. Thus far, however,an enactment mechanism to facilitate decentralised guideline execution has been a largely neglected line of research. It is our contention that decentralisation is essential to maintain a high-performance system in pervasive health care scenarios. In this paper, we propose the use of Lightweight Coordination Calculus (LCC) as a feasible solution. LCC is a light-weight and executable process calculus that has been used successfully in multi-agent systems, peer-to-peer (p2p) computer networks, etc. In light of an envisaged pervasive health care scenario, LCC, which represents clinical protocols and guidelines as message-based interaction models, allows information exchange among software agents distributed across different departments and/or hospitals. Results: We outlined the syntax and semantics of LCC; proposed a list of refined criteria against which the appropriateness of candidate clinical guideline modelling languages are evaluated; and presented two LCC interaction models of real life clinical guidelines. Conclusions: We demonstrated that LCC is particularly useful in modelling clinical guidelines. It specifies the exact partition of a workflow of events or tasks that should be observed by multiple "players" as well as the interactions among these "players". LCC presents the strength of both process calculi and Horn clauses pair of which can provide a close resemblance of logic programming and the flexibility of practical implementation

Illustrating the Freudian and Lacanian Object of Drive with Zola's Therese Raquin

The aim of this article is to discuss the differences between the Freudian and Lacanian conceptualisations of the object of drive. Emile Zola's nov­el Therese Raquin will operate as the site for this discussion. The reader will be introduced to Freud's understanding of the object of drive as con­tained in his "Three Essays on the Theory Sexuality." This understand­ing of the relation of the subject to the object of loss will undergo a radi­cal reconfiguration during Freud's work on narcissism. Next the reader will be introduced to Jacques Lacan's reworking of drive theory and the radical formalisation of the object of drive that is object a. Throughout the essay Zola's numerous attempts to construct the fiction of Laurent's ori­entation towards Therese will delimit and provide certain conditions of possibility for the accompanying theoretical discussion

Don\u27t Leave The Old Folks Jennie

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/1327/thumbnail.jp

Cyclic hydrostatic pressure and cotton particles stimulate synthesis by human lung macrophages of cytokines in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inhalation of particulates is a leading cause of the development of lung diseases and current understanding of the complex relationship between lung metabolism and airborne particulates is incomplete. It is well established that mechanical load is important in the development of the lung and in lung cell differentiation. The interaction between particle exposure and physical forces on alveolar macrophages is a physiologically relevant issue, but as yet understudied. This study examines the effect of cyclic hydrostatic pressure and cotton particles on synthesis of cytokines by human alveolar macrophages.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Alveolar macrophages were obtained from patients with lung disease, either from lavage samples or from lung tissue resection. The commonly used cell line THP-1 was included in the experiments. Cell cultures were exposed to cotton particles and/cyclic hydrostatic pressure (3 or 5 psi); control cultures were exposed to medium only. TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6 were assayed in the culture media using specific ELISAs. Cells were characterized using morphology and markers specific for macrophages (Jenner/Giemsa staining, CD14 and CD68).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exposure to cotton particles stimulated cytokine synthesis by macrophages from all three sources; exposure to cyclic hydrostatic pressure alone did not stimulate cytokine synthesis significantly. However, the combination of both particles and cyclic hydrostatic pressure increased the simulation of cytokine synthesis still further. Cell characterization demonstrated that the large majority of cells had a macrophage morphology and were positive for CD14 and CD68.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest an interaction between cyclic hydrostatic pressure and particulate exposure, which increases alveolar macrophage cytokine production. This interaction was only observed at the higher cyclic hydrostatic pressure. However, in patient samples, there was considerable variation in the amount by which secretion of an individual cytokine increased and there was also variation in the mechanosensitivity of cells from the three different sources. Cyclic hydrostatic pressure, therefore, may be an important modulator of the response of alveolar macrophages to cotton particles, but the source of the cells may be a confounding factor which demands further investigation.</p

Neoliberalism in England

In this chapter we firstly set out the facts about the current stage of capitalism, the Immiseration stage of neoliberal capitalism in England. We briefly note its relationship with conservatism and neo-conservatism. We identify increased societal inequalities, the assault by the capitalist state on its opponents, proceed to describe and analyse what neoliberalism and neoconservatism have done and are doing to education in England- in the schools, further education, and university sectors. We present two testimonies about the impacts of neoliberalism/neoconservatism, one from the school sector, one from the further / vocational education sector, as a means of describing, analysing,and then theorising the parameters of the neoliberal/ neoconservative restructuring education and its impacts. We conclude by further theorising this` revolution’ and, as with the other four countries specifically addressed in this book, there is a separate chapter on resistance to Immiseration Capitalism- and to Capitalism itself

New Physics at the LHC: Direct and Indirect Probes

PhDThis thesis presents the results for two searches for new physics performed with the ATLAS experiment. The first, a search for the rare B-meson decay Bs ! and measurement of its branching ratio, uses 25 fb1 of ps = 7 and 8 TeV data recorded during 2011 and 2012. After observing a small number of these decays, a branching ratio of B(Bs ! ) = (0:9+1:1 ��0:8) 10��9 is measured, assuming non-negative event yields. This is compatible with the Standard Model at the 2 level. The second, a search for direct pair production of the supersymmetric top quark partner, is performed using 36.07 fb��1 of p s = 13 TeV data recorded during 2015 and 2016. Final states with a high jet multiplicity, no leptons and large missing transverse momentum are selected to target these decays, with several signal regions designed to cover a wide range of particle masses. No excess is observed, with all signal regions being compatible with the Standard Model within 2 . Limits are set on the stop mass, excluding up to m~t1 = 940 GeV for values of m~ 01 below 160 GeV, assuming a 100% branching fraction to ~t1 ! t~ 01 decays. In addition two reinterpretations of this data are presented, for a gluino-mediated stop production scenario and a direct dark matter production scenario. No excess is observed for either model, and limits are set on the mass of the relevant particles. Finally a viability study into using machine learning techniques to improve on existing SUSY search methods has been performed, with the initial results proving promising.Science and Technology Facilities Counci

Ethosome for Enhanced Transdermal Drug Delivery of Aceclofenac

The aim of the current investigation is to evaluate the transdermal potential of novel vesicular carrier, ethosomes, bearing aceclofenac, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) agents having limited transdermal permeation. Aceclofenac loaded ethosomal carriers were prepared, optimized and characterized for vesicular shape and surface morphology,(SEM) scanning electronic microscopy, vesicular size, entrapment efficiency, stability, in- vitro release study. The formulation (Etho5) having 3% phospholipids contant and 40% ethanol showing the grater entrapment (93.3%) and optimal average vesicle size of formulation (Etho5) determine by Malvern Zetamaster ZEM &amp; 0.696μm and zeta potential of formulation was -6.74 mV. The formulation (Etho12) having 3% phospholipids contant and 40% isopropyl alcohol showing the grater entrapment (95.7%). stability profile of prepared system assessed for 45 days. The vesicular suspension was kept in sealed vials (10ml) at 4 ± 2ºC and at room temperature for 45 days no change is shown in the entrapment efficiency. The optimized ethosomal formulation showed transdermal flux (226.1 μg/cm²/hr) for ethanolic drug solution which is grater then that of isopropyl alcohol solution (159.0 μg/cm²/hr). The result advocates the potential of ethosome formulation to treat rheumatic disease where facilitated penetration of the drug into muscle and synovial fluid is desirable. In light of the data obtained from experimental work we can expect the ethosome formulation to be safe and very efficient as a drug carrier for systemic as well as topical delivery of drug, holding future in effective transdermal delivery.Keywords: Ethosome; Aceclofenac; Phospholipid; Transderma

Report on the health of Colorado's forests

The reports describes "an annual investigation of critical forest health issues, including the identification of priority areas across the state where current forest conditions demand timely action." They are intended to "expand Coloradans' knowledge of and interest in our state's forest resources.".Reports produced by the Colorado Division of Forestry in conjunction with one or more of the following: Colorado State University Publications and Printing, Colorado State Forest Service and United States Forest Service.Includes bibliographical references.January 21, 2003The 2002 Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests reveals that many of our forested landscapes are under significant stress. Our changing human values and land management policies are partially responsible for this condition. But consecutive years of extreme drought have magnified existing vulnerabilities to insects, disease and wildfire.From widespread die-off in pinyon pine to record-setting wildfires on both the Front Range and the Western Slope, the events of the past year suggest that Colorado's forests need our attention. We demand and receive a number of benefits from our forested landscapes and watersheds. If we expect them to continue providing these services on a sustainable basis, we must identify those areas most at risk and work together to restore them to a more resilient condition