Analysis of rotational coupling in collisions of Li+ with Ne leading to double excitation of Ne \ud

Electron angular distributions due to autoionization of Ne, doubly excited to the (2p43s2)1D state in collisions with Li+ in the energy range 1.2-2.2 keV, are measured in coincidence with Li+ scattered into a well defined direction ( Phi =0 degrees , Theta cm=10.8 degrees ). The experimental findings are analysed with the help of a collision model proposed earlier. In this model the initial excitation occurs by radial diabatic coupling to a molecular Sigma -state at small distances, followed by rotational coupling to Pi - and Delta -states at intermediate distances in the second half of the collision. The energy splitting between the Sigma -, Pi - and Delta -states is described by a model function. By adapting two parameters of this model function, the experimental findings can be reproduced within the experimental error in numerical calculations involving the relevant set of coupled differential equations. \u

De meerwaarde van HKZ-certificering voor GGZ-instellingen

Het certificeren van instellingen is een instrument geworden om de kwaliteit van zorg van instellingen te verbeteren. Certificeren behelst het beoordelen van een organisatie op voorgeschreven normen door een onafhankelijke derde en het afgeven van een certificaat wanneer aan de normen wordt voldaan. Instellingen worden in toenemende mate verplicht certificaten te halen. Maar heeft certificeren wel meerwaarde? Het onderzoek waarover wordt gerapporteerd stelt deze vraag centraal. En wel: Wat is de meerwaarde van HKZ-certificering op de geleverde kwaliteit van zorg in GGZ-instellingen? Gekozen is voor HKZ als certificeringinstrument en de geestelijke gezondheidszorg als sector. Deelvragen van het onderzoek zijn: 1. Welke waarde ontlenen zorgprofessionals (hulpverleners), kwaliteitsfunctionarissen, managers en medewerkers van stafafdelingen aan HKZ-certificering? 2. Presteren GGZ-instellingen met (zicht op) een HKZ-certificaat beter op relevante indicatoren dan GGZ-instellingen die niet (of nog niet) HKZ-gecertificeerd zijn? 3. Vanwege welke redenen leidt HKZ-certificering tot betere of slechtere prestaties

A novel ICK mutation causes ciliary disruption and lethal endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia syndrome

BACKGROUND: Endocrine-cerebro-osteodysplasia (ECO) syndrome [MIM:612651] caused by a recessive mutation (p.R272Q) in Intestinal cell kinase (ICK) shows significant clinical overlap with ciliary disorders. Similarities are strongest between ECO syndrome, the Majewski and Mohr-Majewski short-rib thoracic dysplasia (SRTD) with polydactyly syndromes, and hydrolethalus syndrome. In this study, we present a novel homozygous ICK mutation in a fetus with ECO syndrome and compare the effect of this mutation with the previously reported ICK variant on ciliogenesis and cilium morphology. RESULTS: Through homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing, we identified a second variant (c.358G \u3e T; p.G120C) in ICK in a Turkish fetus presenting with ECO syndrome. In vitro studies of wild-type and mutant mRFP-ICK (p.G120C and p.R272Q) revealed that, in contrast to the wild-type protein that localizes along the ciliary axoneme and/or is present in the ciliary base, mutant proteins rather enrich in the ciliary tip. In addition, immunocytochemistry revealed a decreased number of cilia in ICK p.R272Q-affected cells. CONCLUSIONS: Through identification of a novel ICK mutation, we confirm that disruption of ICK causes ECO syndrome, which clinically overlaps with the spectrum of ciliopathies. Expression of ICK-mutated proteins result in an abnormal ciliary localization compared to wild-type protein. Primary fibroblasts derived from an individual with ECO syndrome display ciliogenesis defects. In aggregate, our findings are consistent with recent reports that show that ICK regulates ciliary biology in vitro and in mice, confirming that ECO syndrome is a severe ciliopathy

Recognition of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in older patients with heart failure

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment and depression in patients with heart failure (HF) are common comorbidities and are associated with increased morbidity, readmissions and mortality. Timely recognition of cognitive impairment and depression is important for providing optimal care. The aim of our study was to determine if these disorders were recognised by clinicians and, secondly, if they were associated with hospital admissions and mortality within 6 months’ follow-up. METHODS: Patients (aged ≥65 years) diagnosed with HF were included from the cardiology outpatient clinic of Gelre Hospitals. Cognitive status was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (score ≤22). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (score >5). Patient characteristics were collected from electronic patient files. The clinician was blinded to the tests and asked to assess cognitive status and mood. RESULTS: We included 157 patients. Their median age was 79 years (65–92); 98 (62%) were male. The majority had New York Heart Association functional class II. Cognitive impairment was present in 56 (36%) patients. Depressive symptoms were present in 21 (13%) patients. In 27 of 56 patients (48%) cognitive impairment was not recognised by clinicians. Depressive symptoms were not recognised in 11 of 21 patients (52%). During 6 months’ follow-up 24 (15%) patients were readmitted for HF-related reasons and 18 (11%) patients died. There was no difference in readmission and mortality rate between patients with or without cognitive impairment and patients with or without depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms were infrequently recognised during outpatient clinic visits

Effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions: A scoping review

Background In the field of orthotics, the use of three-dimensional (3D) technology as an alternative to the conventional production process of orthoses is growing. Purpose This scoping review aimed to systematically map and summarize studies assessing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions, and to identify knowledge gaps. Methods The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, IEEE, and PEDro were searched for studies of any type of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions. Any outcome related to the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses was considered. Two reviewers selected eligible studies, charted data on study characteristics by impairment type, and critically appraised the studies, except for case reports/series. Results Seventeen studies were included: Four randomized controlled trials, four uncontrolled trials, four case series and five case reports. Only three studies had a sample size >20. Impairments described were forearm fractures (n = 5), spasticity (n = 5), muscle weakness (n = 4), joint contractures (n = 2) and pain (n = 1). Four poor to fair quality studies on forearm fractures supported the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function, functionality, and satisfaction. One good quality study on spasticity demonstrated the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function. One poor quality pain study reported limited positive effects on satisfaction. Studies on muscle weakness and joint contractures showed no benefits. Conclusion Current literature addressing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions consists primarily of small and poor methodological quality studies. There is a need for well-designed controlled trials including patient-related outcomes, production time and cost analyses

An argument for developing waste-to-energy technologies in Saudi Arabia

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management is a chronic environmental problem in most of the developing countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The concept of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) is known as one of the several technologies capable of benefiting a society, which desires to reduce fossil-fuel addiction. Currently, there is no WTE facility existing in the KSA. The MSW is collected and disposed in landfills untreated. A substantial increase in the population by 3.4 %/y over the last 35 y coupled with urbanization and raised living standards have resulted in high generation rate of MSW. In 2014, about 15.3 Mt of MSW was generated in KSA. The food and plastic waste are the two main waste streams, which covers 70 % of the total MSW. The waste is highly organic (up to 72 %) in nature and food waste covers 50.6 % of it. An estimated electricity potential of 2.99 TWh can be generated annually, if all of the food waste is utilized in anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities. Similarly, 1.03 and 1.55 TWh electricity can be produced annually if all of the plastics and other mixed waste are processed in the pyrolysis and refuse derived fuel (RDF) technologies respectively. The aim of this paper is to review the prospective WTE technologies in Saudi Arabia. However, the real selection of the conversion technologies will be done in conjunction with the fieldwork on waste characterization and laboratory examination of selected technologies and further socio-economic and environmental evaluations