Structural Analysis of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment

The purpose of this research was to validate the structural integrity of the Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment (RIGEX) and make appropriate improvements to the design, motivated by static and dynamic analysis results. RIGEX is designed to advance the use of rigidizable inflatable structures in the space environment by providing three sets of on-orbit test data on the structural characteristics of three thermoplastic composite tubes. This thesis discusses the RIGEX structural analysis. The term structural analysis refers to the development of a detailed finite element model and the tests for which the model was used. The finite element model provided an acceptable estimation of RIGEX\u27s natural frequencies, the structural integrity of the fastener system, the maximum stress seen by the aluminum primary structure, and the maximum possible displacements at various locations around the RIGEX structure for various load conditions. These three analyses motivated numerous design changes, which are discussed in detail in this thesis. The analysis process was repeated following each design change until all structural integrity and design criteria were met. In addition to the structural analysis and associated design changes, this thesis presents the as built RIGEX drawing package and wiring schematic. The results presented in this thesis are the first step towards passing the structural integrity requirements set forth by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for manned spaceflight. Recommendations of appropriate construction and testing techniques to ensure the actual structure matches the computer model are discussed

Understanding ‘healthy’ growth processes in organic food businesses and values-based chains

Food businesses face specific challenges when they are expanding, and when volumes and turnover start growing significantly. Higher value food chains, such as organic food chains, tend to converge either towards rather narrow market segments and niches or towards conventionalisation and loss in added value. In addition many entrepreneurs in the organic food sector do not possess a formal training in business economics and/or management. However, as businesses grow, increasing management competences are required and this tends to become a constraint. Aiming to better understand different development pathways with their particular challenges, business strategies and management instruments, this paper presents an analysis of 19 case studies in Europe and Turkey with respect to their expansion pathways

The role of the business logic for growing value chains of organic food - first results of an international case study analysis

Values-based food chains link farmers, processors, wholesale and retail traders in a way that the end-consumer receives a product with additional quality attributes such as regionality, fair trade, high animal welfare or nature conservation standards. The transmission of such additional values which are beyond general food standards requires chain specific objectives and well-targeted management strategies. Results show that all studied businesses/initiatives have consistent business logics for their internal organisation and cooperation and communication in the specific chain. The business logic ensures the effective value transmission based on e.g. controlling and information measures

Combined Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profiling of E. coli under Microaerobic versus Aerobic Conditions: The Multifaceted Roles of Noncoding Small RNAs and Oxygen-Dependent Sensing in Global Gene Expression Control

Adaptive mechanisms that facilitate intestinal colonization by the human microbiota, including Escherichia coli, may be better understood by analyzing the physiology and gene expression of bacteria in low-oxygen environments. We used high-throughput transcriptomics and proteomics to compare the expression profiles of E. coli grown under aerobic versus microaerobic conditions. Clustering of high-abundance transcripts under microaerobiosis highlighted genes controlling acid-stress adaptation (gadAXW, gadAB, hdeAB-yhiD and hdeD operons), cell adhesion/biofilm formation (pgaABCD and csgDEFG operons), electron transport (cydAB), oligopeptide transport (oppABCDF), and anaerobic respiration/fermentation (hyaABCDEF and hycABCDEFGHI operons). In contrast, downregulated genes were involved in iron transport (fhuABCD, feoABC and fepA-entD operons), iron-sulfur cluster assembly (iscRSUA and sufABCDSE operons), aerobic respiration (sdhDAB and sucABCDSE operons), and de novo nucleotide synthesis (nrdHIEF). Additionally, quantitative proteomics showed that the products (proteins) of these high- or low-abundance transcripts were expressed consistently. Our findings highlight interrelationships among energy production, carbon metabolism, and iron homeostasis. Moreover, we have identified and validated a subset of differentially expressed noncoding small RNAs (i.e., CsrC, RyhB, RprA and GcvB), and we discuss their regulatory functions during microaerobic growth. Collectively, we reveal key changes in gene expression at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels that sustain E. coli growth when oxygen levels are low.Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan: 104-2311-B-001-011-MY3, and 107-2311-B-001-029-MY3; Academia Sinica: AS 2323, and AS-IA-110-L0

Praksisutvikling 2010: Samarbeid mellom høgskole og praksisfelt for utvikling av praksisstudier i sykepleierutdanning

Rapporten gir ei framstilling av praksisutviklingsprosjekt ved Høgskolen Stord/Haugesund, Avdeling helsefag i 2009-2010. Prosjekta er gjennomførte i samarbeid mellom høgskolen og praksisfeltet, og har som mål å styrke praksislæringa for studentar ved sjukepleiarutdanninga. Felles for prosjekta er at dei tar utgangspunkt i konkrete praksissituasjonar, og siktar mot å utvikle og betre kvaliteten i læresituasjonen. I denne prosjektporteføljen finn vi prosjekt retta mot kompetanseutvikling for kontaktsjukepleiarar, tilrettelegging av praksisplassar innan palliativ omsorg, strukturering av innkomstsamtalar ved innlegging i sjukehus og studentdeltaking i undersøking av ernæringsforhold blant eldre ved ein sjukeheim. Prosjekta har blitt utførte av prosjektgrupper sett saman av lærarar ved høgskolen og sjukepleiarar med studentansvar ved dei ulike praksisstadene knytt til høgskolen. Prosjekta blei gjennomførte i seks kommunar, ved sjukehus og sjukeheimar. Prosjektgruppene har hatt trefire fellesmøte pr. semester, med erfaringsutveksling og kollektiv, gjensidig rettleiing undervegs i prosessen. Dette fellesskapet har skapt møteplassar mellom høgskole og praksisfelt i ein likeverdig atmosfære og har hatt som funksjon både å auke kvaliteten i praksisstudiane og å bygge bru mellom teori og praksis i sjukepleiarutdanninga

Handling of hemolyzed serum samples in clinical chemistry laboratories: The Nordic hemolysis project

Under embargo until: 2020-07-09Hemolysis of blood samples is a pre-analytical challenge that often leads to sample rejection in medical laboratories [1]. Hemolysis occurs when blood cells break down and the intracellular contents leak into the surrounding fluid [2]. When hemolyzed blood samples are analyzed in medical laboratories, the content released from the blood cells can interfere with the measurement procedure, leading to erroneous results that may not reflect the patient’s clinical condition. How, and to what extent, hemolysis may affect test results depends on the analyte and the measurement method used [1]. Interference studies are performed to establish how much the various analytes, when measured by different methods, will be affected by hemolysis [3]. Based on the results, instrument-specific cut-off points are determined to prevent hemolysis from significantly affecting the clinical interpretation of laboratory results. Most instruments used in medical laboratories today can measure cell-free hemoglobin (Hb) in individual blood samples and transfer the result to the laboratory information system (LIS). These Hb results may be combined with predefined Hb cut-off points, enabling the laboratories to automatically reject or comment upon test results significantly affected by hemolysis [4]. Cut-off points for rejection of samples are commonly recommended by the manufacturers of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) analytical systems. The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommends that the laboratories verify the intended usefulness, strengths and limitations of manufacturer-derived cut-off points before they are implemented [5]. This is time and resource consuming for the laboratory, and may be difficult as manufacturers’ package inserts often lack information about experiment design and how the cut-off points were defined [6], [7], [8]. Consequently, many laboratories use the manufacturers’ cut-off points for hemolysis, without further verification studies [8]. The Nordic cooperation of External Quality Assurance (EQA) organizers, EQAnord, performed a large interference study in 2002 to obtain data on the effect of hemolysis on analytical performance on different clinical chemistry instruments [9]. The aims of the current study were (1) to obtain updated information about how hemolysis affects clinical chemistry test results on different instrument platforms, and (2) to obtain data on how test results from hemolyzed samples are reported in medical biochemistry hospital laboratories in the Nordic countries.publishedVersio

Clinicopathological Findings, Treatment and Outcome in 60 cats with Feline Gastrointestinal Eosinophilic Sclerosing Fibroplasia

Background – Feline gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (FGESF) presents as mass(es) associated with the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, and abdominal lymph nodes.Hypothesis/Objectives – To report the clinicopathological findings, treatment, and outcome of cats with FGESF.Animals – Sixty client-owned cats diagnosed with FGESF. Methods – Retrospective review of medical records of cats with histopathologically confirmed FGESF. Results – The median age was 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3.3-8.9.); 30% were Domestic Shorthairs and 12% were Domestic Longhair cats, with the most prevalent pedigree breeds being Ragdolls (25%), Exotic Shorthair (10%) and Persian (8%) cats. The median duration of clinical signs was 90 days (IQR 17.5-247.0); the most common clinical signs were weight loss (60%), hyporexia/anorexia (55%), chronic vomiting (37%), lethargy (35%) and chronic diarrhea (27%). Masses were located in the small intestine (32%), stomach (27%), ileocolic junction (15%), colon (10%), lymph node (8%) and mesentery (8%) and 15% of cats had more than one mass. Eosinophilia was present in 50% and hypoalbuminemia in 28% of cats. The mass was removed surgically in 37% of cases. Most cats (98%) were treated with corticosteroids and 1 cat with antibiotics alone. The survival was not statistically different between cats treated with surgical resection and cats treated with medical therapy alone, 88% of the cats still alive at the time of writing. Conclusions and clinical importance – FGESF is an important differential diagnosis for abdominal masses in cats, and has a much better prognosis than previously reported. <br/

Complementary feeding in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study

Aim: To describe complementary feeding practices in the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) sample. Methods: Food frequency questionnaires and 24-h dietary recalls were administered to describe child feeding throughout the first 2 y of life. This information was used to determine complementary feeding initiation, meal frequency and use of fortified foods. Descriptions of foods consumed and dietary diversity were derived from the 24-h recalls. Compliance with the feeding recommendations of the MGRS was determined on the basis of the food frequency reports. Descriptive statistics provide a profile of the complementary feeding patterns among the compliant children. Results: Complementary feeding in the compliant group began at a mean age of 5.4 mo (range: 4.8 (Oman)-5.8 mo (Ghana)). Complementary food intake rose from 2 meals/d at 6 mo to 4-5 meals in the second year, in a reverse trend to breastfeeding frequency. Total intake from the two sources was 11 meals/d at 6-12 mo, dropping to 7 meals/d at 24 mo. Inter-site differences in total meal frequency were mainly due to variations in breastfeeding frequency. Grains were the most commonly selected food group compared with other food groups that varied more by site due to cultural factors, for example, infrequent consumption of flesh foods in India. The use of fortified foods and nutrient supplements was also influenced by site-variable practices. Dietary diversity varied minimally between compliance groups and sites. Conclusion: Complementary diets in the MGRS met global recommendations and were adequate to support physiological growth