Weak convergence of finite element approximations of linear stochastic evolution equations with additive noise II. Fully discrete schemes

We present an abstract framework for analyzing the weak error of fully discrete approximation schemes for linear evolution equations driven by additive Gaussian noise. First, an abstract representation formula is derived for sufficiently smooth test functions. The formula is then applied to the wave equation, where the spatial approximation is done via the standard continuous finite element method and the time discretization via an I-stable rational approximation to the exponential function. It is found that the rate of weak convergence is twice that of strong convergence. Furthermore, in contrast to the parabolic case, higher order schemes in time, such as the Crank-Nicolson scheme, are worthwhile to use if the solution is not very regular. Finally we apply the theory to parabolic equations and detail a weak error estimate for the linearized Cahn-Hilliard-Cook equation as well as comment on the stochastic heat equation

Macrosocial determinants of population health in the context of globalization

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/55738/1/florey_globalization_2007.pd

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Algorithme de la prise en charge des onychomycoses [Algorithm to facilitate the management of onychomycosis]

An algorithm is proposed to facilitate the management of onychomycosis and ensure a good therapeutical approach. Its aim is to simplify the diagnosis process by integrating a pertinent anamnesis and physical examination with the classic tool of mycology (direct examination, culture, eventually examination by PCR), in order to give the adequate targeted treatment

Experiances in resection for pulmonary tuberculosis in the South African Non-European

No Abstrac

Lifetime meat production from six different F1 crossbred ewes

The efficiency of meat production with regard to kilogram of lamb weaned per kilogram metabolic mass of ewes at mating of six different F1 crossbred populations, viz. Finnish Landrace x Merino (FL x M), BorderLeicester x Merino (BL x M), Bleu de Maine x Merino (BdM x M), Texel x Merino (T x M), Cheviot x Merino (C x M) and Merino Landsheep x Merino (ML x M), with their flock structures in equilibrium, were evaluated with each other over their lifetime. The FL x M was the most efficient cross followed by the T x M, BL x M, C x M, BdM x M and ML x M. Results indicate that size and other individual components of productivity are not reliable indicators of total production or efficiency of production.Die doeltreffendheid van vleisproduksie ten opsigte van kilogram lam gespeen per kilogram metaboliese massa van ooie by paring, van ses verskillende F1-kruispopulasies, nl. Finse Landras x Merino (FL x M), Border Leicester x Merino (BL x M), Bleu de Maine x Merino (BdM x M), Texel x Merino (T x M), Cheviot x Merino (C x M) en Merino Landskaap x Merino (ML x M), met hul kuddestrukture in ekwilibrium, is oor hul leeftyd met mekaar vergelyk. Die FL x M was die doeltreffendste kruising gevolg deur die T x M, BL x M, C x M, BdM x M en ML x M. Die resultate dui aan dat grootte en individuele komponente van produktiwiteit nie 'n getroue weergawe van totale produksie of doeltreffendheid van produksie is nie.Keywords: Crossbreeding, growth, reproduction, sheep, survival, total production

Residential property development and financial ratio analysis : a South African perspective

Financial statements are read, analysed and interpreted by a diverse group of interested parties, among whom are owners, directors and managers who read financial statements to utilise the information for planning and control purposes. It is imperative that they uncover underlying or evolving trends and/or other salient features in order to assess the business’ progress towards achieving its strategic goals (as determined through its planned objectives). Financial ratio analysis promises to be a simple but effective way of analysing financial statements for interpretation. It is, however, not a ‘complete’ method of analysis as it is directed at measuring financial objectives only. The ‘traditional’ method of analysis and interpretation of financial statements evolved over a period of approximately a century (mainly due to major developments in management concepts). Thereafter industrious researchers explored the possibility of effecting changes to these existing methods, formulae and uses of financial ratios to explore their predictive abilities. It was assumed to be an inherent attribute of ratio analysis. Although there is no real consensus, the conclusion is that failure-or-success-prediction-models suffer from poor predictive abilities. Therefore this study was directed at the principles of applying the ‘traditional’ approach to financial ratio analysis. The references to the ‘modern’ models, techniques and their applications are made for contextual purposes only. The aim of this study is twofold. The first aim is to determine whether residential property developers apply financial ratio analysis in analysing the financial information contained in their financial statements. Developers indicated that they do use ratio analysis for this purpose. The second aim is to illustrate how important the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and techniques of financial ratio analysis is to non-accountants (such as the average property developers and built environment professionals) in applying financial ratio analysis in their decision-making. Section 8 in this study serves as guideline to practitioners, based on results and conclusions of the empirical study of the article. There is no internationally accepted theoretical framework or standard for applying and using financial ratio analysis to assist managers in the assessment of business performance. This should not create the perception that ratios are merely an accumulation of tools and techniques. Each ratio is an integral link in a chain of financial ratios. Managers in the built environment should be encouraged to gain knowledge and apply financial management tools and techniques to enhance their financial management expertise. Non-financial managers and directors can no longer avoid financial management responsibilities by deferring these to the financial professionals. Rather, managers and directors need to adopt an attitude of the buck stops here.Finansiële state word gelees, ontleed en vertolk deur ’n diverse groep belanghebbendes. Een groep is die eienaars, direkteure en bestuurders wat finansiële state bestudeer ten einde die inligting aan te wend vir beplanning- en kontrole-doeleindes. Dit is van uiterste belang om onderliggende of ontluikende tendense of ander kenmerkende eienskappe te identifiseer, ten einde te bepaal of ’n besigheid se strewe na bereiking van sy strategiese mylpale, soos vasgestel deur die onderneming se doelwitte, bereik word. Finansiële verhoudingsontleding beloof om ’n eenvoudige maar effektiewe metode te wees om ontledings vir die vertolking van finansiële state te doen. Dit is egter nie ’n volledige metode van prestasie meting, ontleding, interpretasie en bestuur nie, aangesien dit slegs meting van finansiële doelwitte aanspreek. Oor die tydperk van ongeveer ’n eeu het die metode van ontleding genaamd ‘tradisioneel’ ontstaan (hoofsaaklik weens vooruitgang in bestuurstegnieke). Daarna het navorsers die moontlikheid ondersoek om die voorspellingsmoontlikhede van verhoudingsontleding te ontgin deur geringe veranderings aan die ‘tradisionele’ metodes aan te bring. Daar is nie algemene ooreenstemming nie, maar dit blyk die gevolgtrekking te wees dat mislukking- en sukses-modelle min voorspellingswaarde inhou. Daarom was hierdie studie daarop gerig om die toepassing van die ‘tradisionele’ metode van ontleding van finansiële state te ondersoek. Verwysing na die ‘moderne’ modelle, tegnieke en hulle toepassing word slegs gemaak vir kontekstuele doeleindes. Die doel van die studie is tweevoud. Eerstens om te bepaal of residensiële eiendomsontwikkelaars verhoudingsontleding gebruik in die vertolking van hulle ondernemings se resultate. Eiendomsontwikkelaars het aangetoon dat hulle inderdaad van finansiële verhoudingsontleding gebruik maak. Tweedens om te illustreer hoe belangrik kennis en begrip van finansiële verhoudingsontleding asook die basiese beginsels en tegnieke van verhoudingsontleding vir nie-finansiële bestuurders (soos die gemiddelde eiendomsontwikkelaar en bou-omgewing professionele persone) is in die toepassing van finansiële verhoudingsontleding met betrekking tot besluitneming. Punt 8 van die artikel word daaraan gewy om advies te verskaf aan gebruikers van verhoudingsontleding in die bouomgewing. Daar bestaan geen internasionaal aanvaarde teoretiese raamwerk of standaard vir die gebruik en toepassing van finansiële verhoudingsontleding om bestuurders te ondersteun in die evaluering van hulle ondernemings se resultate nie. Dit moet egter nie die indruk skep dat verhoudings bloot ’n versameling van verhoudings en tegnieke is nie; elke verhouding is ’n integrale skakel in ’n ketting van verhoudings. Bestuurders in die bou-omgewing behoort aangemoedig te word om die nodige kennis in te win en toepassings van gebruike en tegnieke van verhoudingsontleding te beoefen aangesien dit die enigste manier van verkryging van ondervinding is. Nie-finansiële bestuurders durf nie langer die finansiële bestuursverantwoordelikhede vermy deur dit aan rekeningkundige persone oor te dra nie. Bestuurders en direkteure moet ’n houding van die verantwoordelikheid eindig hier inneem

Cultural coping as a risk for depression and hypertension: the SABPA prospective study

Objectives: In past studies, a lack of social support has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, particularly in black Africans. However, whether or not coping strategies have beneficial effects on blood pressure (BP) and emotional well-being is not clear. We therefore assessed the relationship between BP levels, depression and coping strategies. Methods: A prospective bi-ethnic cohort followed 359 black and white South African school teachers (aged 20–65 years) over a three-year period. Data on ambulatory 24-hour blood pressure, depression, coping strategies (defensiveness, social support, avoidance) and culture-specific coping scores (cognitive/ emotional debriefing, spiritual-, collectivistic and ritualcentred) were obtained. Results: Over three years, chronic depression (38 vs 19%) and hypertension (68 vs 35%) were apparent in blacks (d-values > 0.3) as opposed to whites. In both groups, depression was accompanied by more avoidance (loss-of-control) coping. Consistent spiritual and increasing collectivistic coping were apparent in whites. Over time, increasing defensiveness (OR 1.08, p ≤ 0.05) and ritual coping (OR 1.27, p ≤ 0.01; d-values > 0.5), predicted chronic depression in blacks. The change in their symptoms of depression predicted 24-hour hypertension (OR 1.11, p = 0.04). No similar associations existed in whites. Conclusions: Blacks showed increasing defensiveness and ritual- and spiritual-centred coping in an attempt to combat chronic depression, which may be costly, as reflected by their chronic hypertensive status. Whites showed consistent spiritual- centred coping while utilising avoidance or loss-of-control coping, with a trend of seeking less social support or isolation as a coping mechanism. During counselling of depressed patients with hypertension, the beneficial effects of social support and spiritual coping may be of great importanc