Configuring peer-to-peer software: an empirical study of how users react to the regulatory features of software

Presents a study undertaken to develop an understanding of how regulation takes place in IT and focuses on the regulatory features of software with regard to peer-to-peer software for MP3 file sharing, explaining that, while such software may become obsolete due to the rapidly changing technology, it still makes sense to understand some of the main aspects of the subject and reveal any research methodological issues that might prove fruitful in later applications. Explains that the main purpose of the research was to find important patterns in the process of regulation as opposed to simply generating an empirically justified theory. Describes the gathering of research data through extensive interviews conducted with 13 carefully selected interviewees about their use of seven different types of file sharing peer-to-peer applications (BearShare, AudioGalaxy, KaZaa, I-Mesh, Morpheus, WinMX, LimeWire. Concludes that the evidence suggests that during the interaction process with peer-to-peer technologies, people act in a manner that is deliberate only if they feel that a particular problem affects their own personal goals or interests

Pattern of adrenal hormonal secretion in patients with adrenal adenomas: The relevance of aldosterone in arterial hypertension

Context: Approximately 10% of hypertensives are considered to exhibit autonomous aldosterone secretion (AAS). Although adrenal incidentalomas (AI) can be found in up to 19% of hypertensive individuals, data on the incidence of AAS in hypertensive patients with AI remain scarce. Objective: The aim was to study adrenal aldosterone (ALD) secretory pattern in patients with adrenal adenomas with and without arterial hypertension. Design and Setting: We conducted a case-control study in a tertiary general hospital. Patients and Main Outcome Measures: We investigated 72 normotensive subjects with normal adrenal morphology and 191 subjects divided in three groups: 46 normotensive individuals with an AI (NAI), 89 hypertensive patients with an AI (HAI), and 56 hypertensive patients with an adrenal adenomaidentified after investigation for arterial hypertension (HAA). Evaluation of autonomous cortisol secretion was based on a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Autonomous ALD secretion was based on a modified saline infusion test (MSI). Normal cutoff levels were obtained from the control matched population. Results: Post-MSI ALD levels and the ALD/renin (REN) ratios were significantly elevated in HAI and HAA patients compared to NAI subjects. To evaluate the prevalence of AAS, we applied the combination of post-MSI ALD level and the ALD/REN ratio simultaneously (post-MSI cutoffs, ALD levels, 2.41 ng/dl; ALD/REN ratio, 0.35 ng/dl/μU/ml). Based on these cutoffs,12% of NAI, 36.4% of HAI, and 54.2% of HAA patients had AAS. The prevalence of autonomous cortisol secretion did not differ among the three groups. Conclusions: Using a MSI test, we found a remarkably increased prevalence of AAS in hypertensive patients with adrenal adenomas, even when the latter represented an incidental finding. Copyright © 2012 by The Endocrine Society

OpenLaws.eu

The OPENLAWS.eu project aims to linking existing laws, cases and legal literature throughout the EU and member states and potentially worldwide and at adding new user-friendly functionality for a higher productivity. Furthermore, the project should make it possible to easily publish new legal content in order to make law more transparent and understandable. The cloud-based service will be designed for legal professionals and public bodies as well as for citizens and businesses

Evidence of primary aldosteronism in a predominantly female cohort of normotensive individuals: A very high odds ratio for progression into arterial hypertension

Context: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is an established cause of hypertension, whereas high-normal serum aldosterone levels have been linked to an increased risk for hypertension. Objective: We aimed to define the post-fludrocortisone-dexamethasone suppression test (FDST) normal cutoff values of aldosterone and the aldosterone to renin ratio and evaluate the presence of PA in normotensive individuals. Design: This study was designed as a case-control study. Setting: The study was performed in a tertiary general hospital. Patients: One hundred normotensive participants (80 females), mean age 53 years, were studied. Main Outcome Measures: All participants underwent baseline biochemical and hormonal evaluation, FDST, and adrenal computerized tomography. Blood pressure was assessed at baseline and after 5 years. Results: Sixty-nine participants with normal adrenal computerized tomography who remained normotensive after 5 years were used as a control population to calculate the cutoff values of adequate aldosterone suppression. PA was defined as a combination of post-FDST aldosterone to renin ratio of 0.93 ng/dL · μU/mL or greater (100% sensitivity and 96% specificity) and post-FDST aldosterone of 2.96 ng/dL or greater (100% sensitivity and 61% specificity on receiver-operating characteristic analysis). Thirteen of 100 participants had PA at baseline and 11 (85%) developed hypertension, whereas only 20 of 87 without PA (23%) developed hypertension at 5 years [odds ratio (OR) 18.42, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.76-90.10, P < .0001]. Logistic regression analysis showed a positive relation of PA [odds ratio (OR) 16.30, confidence interval (CI) 1.78-150.30, P = .01] and a negative relation of serum potassium (OR 0.39, CI 0.19-0.79, P = .01) with the development of hypertension. Conclusions: Normotensive PA represents a clinical entity referring to normotensive individuals with PA who are at increased risk for hypertension. Copyright © 2013 by The Endocrine Society