Estudi i primera fase per la implementació del FOFB al Sincrotró ALBA

Aquest treball és la culminació de les pràctiques realitzades al sincrotró ALBA. Situat a Cerdanyola del Vallès, ALBA és un accelerador de 3a generació que permet emmagatzemar un feix d'electrons confinat de fins a 400 mA a 3GeV d'energia, amb l'objectiu d'obtenir llum a partir dels girs provocats al feix. Els sincrotrons moderns com el d'ALBA, el que pretenen és aconseguir un major control i estabilitat de la llum. Per aconseguir-ho, cal que el feix d'electrons que creen la llum estigui controlat al màxim i la seva òrbita sigui estable. Amb aquest objectiu els sincrotrons estant implementant sistemes de Fast Orbit FeedBack (FOFB) o sistemes realimentats de correcció ràpida de l'òrbita, per realitzar correccions d'almenys 100Hz que estabilitzin el feix d'electrons amb menys d'un 10% de l'amplada del feix (5-10μm). El treball exposa el desenvolupament d'una part del sistema de correcció ràpida de l'òrbita dels electrons (FOFB) que s'està duent a terme al sincrotró ALBA. Concretament, s’han revisat els estudis previs realitzats durant la fase de disseny del sincrotró, s’han recalculat funcions de transferència i retards de tots els elements involucrats al sistema. També s’han realitzat simulacions per confirmar la viabilitat del sistema amb les noves dades i finalment s’ha desenvolupat part de la unitat de control determinant el Hardware i s'ha adquirit dades que permetran analitzar el soroll de l'òrbita que en futurs treballs determinaran millor l'algorisme de la unitat de control.

Single Subject Finger Somatotopy Mapping at 7T.

Introduction: The primary somatosensory cortex (SI) contains Brodmann areas (BA) 1, 2, 3a, and 3b. Research in non-human primates showed that BAs 3b, 1, and 2 each contain one full representation of the hand with separate representations for each finger. This research also showed that the finger representation in BA3b has larger and clearer finger somatotopy than BA1 and 2. Although several efforts to map finger somatotopy in SI by fMRI have been made at 1.5 and 3T these studies have yielded variable results and were not able to detect single subject finger somatotopy, probably due to the limited spatial extent of the cortical areas representing a digit (close to the resolution in most fMRI experiments), complications due to acquisition of consistent maps for individual subjects (Schweizer et al 2008), or inter-individual variability in sulcal anatomy impeding group studies. Here, we used 7T fMRI to investigate finger somatotopy in SI, some of its functional characteristics, and its reproducibility. Methods: Eight right-handed male subjects were scanned on a 7T scanner (Siemens Medical, Germany) with an 8-channel Tx/Rx rf-coil (Rapid Biomedical, Germany). 1.3x1.3x1.3mm3 resolution fMRI data were acquired using a sinusoidal readout EPI sequence (Speck et al, 2008) and FOV=210mm, TE/TR=27ms/2.5s, GRAPPA=2. Each volume contained 28 transverse slices covering SI. A single EPI volume with 64 slices was acquired to aid coregistration. 1x1x1mm3 anatomical data were acquire using the MP2RAGE sequence (Marques et al, 2009; TE/TR/TI1,2/TRmprage=2.63ms/7.2ms/0.9,3.2s/5s). Subjects were positioned supine in the scanner with their right arm comfortably against the magnet bore. An experimenter was positioned at the entrance of the bore where he could easily reach and stroke successively the two distal phalanxes of each digit. The order of stroked digit was D1 (thumb)-D3-D5-D2-D4, with 20s ON, 10s OFF alternated. This sequence was repeated four times per run and two functional runs were acquired per subject. Realignment, smoothing (FWHM 2 mm), coregistration of the anatomical to the fMRI data and calculation of t-statistics were done using SPM8. An SI mask was obtained via an F-contrast (p<0.001) over all digits. Within the mask, voxels were labeled with the number of the digit demonstrating the highest t-value for that particular voxel. Results: For all subjects, areas corresponding to the five digits were identified in contralateral SI. BA3b showed the most consistent somatotopic finger representation (see an example in Fig.1). The five digits were localized in a consecutive order in the cortex, with D1 most anterior, inferior and distal and D5, most posterior, superior and medial (mean distance between centres of mass of digit representations ±stderr: 4.2±0.7mm; see Fig. 2). The analysis of average beta values within each finger representation region revealed the specificity of the somatotopic region to the tactile input for each tested finger (except digit 4 and 5). Five of these subjects also presented an orderly and consecutive representation of the five digits in BA1 and 2. Conclusions: Our data reveal that the increased BOLD sensitivity at 7T and the high spatial resolution used in this study allow consistent somatotopic mapping using human touch as a stimulus and that human SI contains at least three separate regions that contain five separate representations of all single contralateral fingers. Moreover, adjacent fingers were represented at adjacent cortical regions across the three SI regions. The spatial organization of SI as reflected in individual subject topography corresponds well with previous electrophysiological data in non-human primates. The small distance between digit representations highlights the need for the high spatial resolution available at 7T.

Three-dimensional computed cementless custom femoral stems in young patients: midterm followup.

We prospectively evaluated the results of our custom cementless femoral stems to ascertain whether this technology produced reasonable clinical function, complication rates, and loosening rates at midterm. Fifty-seven consecutive patients had surgery in 62 hips for primary osteoarthritis at a mean age of 57 years using a three-dimensional computed custom cementless stem. Patients were reviewed at a mean followup of 94.9 months. At review, the mean Harris hip score was 98.8 points (range, 84-100) compared with 61.1 (range, 28-78) points preoperatively. No patient complained of thigh pain. No migration or subsidence was observed. All stems were considered stable according to the radiographic criteria defined by Engh et al. There were no dislocations, no infections, and no reoperations. Our results are comparable with published results from clinical and radiologic points of view. Two problems remain unsolved: the price of a custom stem is twice as expensive as a standard stem; and we need longer term results before definitely recommending this technology as a reasonable alternative to current arthroplasties in younger patients. The data support the continued exploration of this technology with controlled clinical followup. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic study, Level II-1 (prospective cohort study). See the Guidelines to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Annual Report of the Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY 2009

The Highway Division of the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) engages in research and development for two reasons: first, to find workable solutions to the many problems that require more than ordinary, routine investigation; and second, to identify and implement improved engineering and management practices. This report, entitled ―Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY2009‖ is submitted in compliance with Sections 310.36 and 312.3A, Code of Iowa, which direct the submission of a report of the Secondary Road Research Fund and the Street Research Fund, respectively. It is a report of the status of research and development projects in progress on June 30, 2009. It is also a report on projects completed during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009. Detailed information on each of the research and development projects mentioned in this report is available from the Research and Technology Bureau, Highway Division, Iowa Department of Transportation. All approved reports are also online for viewing at: www.iowadot.gov/operationsresearch/reports.aspx.

Annual Report of the Iowa Highway Research Board – Research and Development Activities FY 2010

This report, entitled “Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY 2010” is submitted in compliance with Sections 301.35 and 312.3A, Code of Iowa, which direct the submission of a report of the Secondary Road Research Fund and the Street Research Fund, respectively. T is a report of the status of research and development projects in progress on June 20, 2010. It is also a report on projects completed during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2010. Detailed information on each of the research and development projects mentioned in this report is available from the Research and Technology Bureau, Highway Division, Iowa Department of Transportation. All approved reports are also online for viewing at www.iowadot.gov/operationsresearch/reports.aspx

Iowa Technology Governance Board Annual Report, January 12, 2009

This Technology Governance Board Annual Report provides information on the FY06 – FY10 Information Technology Personnel Spending; FY06 – FY10 Technology Equipment and Services Spending; and FY06 – FY10 Internal IT Expenditures with the Iowa Communications Network and Department of Administrative Services - Information Technology Enterprise. The report also contains a projection of technology cost savings. This report was produced in compliance with Iowa Code §8A.204(3a) and was submitted to the Governor, the Department of Management, and the General Assembly on January 12, 2009.

Iowa Technology Governance Board Annual Report, January 11, 2010

This Technology Governance Board Annual Report provides information on the FY07 – FY11 Information Technology Personnel Spending; FY07 – FY11 Technology Equipment and Services Spending; and FY07 – FY11 Internal IT Expenditures with the Iowa Communications Network and Department of Administrative Services - Information Technology Enterprise. The report also contains a projection of technology cost savings. This report was produced in compliance with Iowa Code §8A.204(3a) and was submitted to the Governor, the Department of Management, and the General Assembly on January 11, 2010.

Iowa Technology Governance Board Annual Report, January 10, 2011

This Technology Governance Board Annual Report provides information on the FY08 – FY12 Information Technology Personnel Spending; FY08 – FY12 Technology Equipment and Services Spending; and FY08 – FY12 Internal IT Expenditures with the Iowa Communications Network and Department of Administrative Services - Information Technology Enterprise. The report also contains a projection of technology cost savings. This report was produced in compliance with Iowa Code §8A.204(3a) and was submitted to the Governor, the Department of Management, and the General Assembly on January 10, 2011.

Ex XIIII. T. Livii Decadibus. Prima, tertia, quarta, in qua praeter fragmenta III, & X libri, quae in Germania nuper reperta, hic etiam continentur, multa adulterina expunximus, multa vera recepimus, quae in aliis non habentur. Epitome singulorum librorum XIIII Decadum. Historia omnium XIIII Decadum in compendium redacta ab L. Floro. Polybii lib. V de rebus Romanis latinitate donati à Nicolao Perotto. Index copiosissimus rerum omnium memorabilium...

[Histoire romaine (latin). 1518-1533]

Ex XIIII. T. Livii Decadibus. Prima, tertia, quarta, in qua praeter fragmenta III, & X libri, quae in Germania nuper reperta, hic etiam continentur, multa adulterina expunximus, multa vera recepimus, quae in aliis non habentur. Epitome singulorum librorum XIIII Decadum. Historia omnium XIIII Decadum in compendium redacta ab L. Floro. Polybii lib. V de rebus Romanis latinitate donati à Nicolao Perotto. Index copiosissimus rerum omnium memorabilium...

[Histoire romaine (latin). 1518-1533]

Hexokinase 2, Glycogen Synthase and Phosphorylase Play a Key Role in Muscle Glycogen Supercompensation

Background: Glycogen-depleting exercise can lead to supercompensation of muscle glycogen stores, but the biochemical mechanisms of this phenomenon are still not completely understood. Methods: Using chronic low-frequency stimulation (CLFS) as an exercise model, the tibialis anterior muscle of rabbits was stimulated for either 1 or 24 hours, inducing a reduction in glycogen of 90% and 50% respectively. Glycogen recovery was subsequently monitored during 24 hours of rest. Results: In muscles stimulated for 1 hour, glycogen recovered basal levels during the rest period. However, in those stimulated for 24 hours, glycogen was supercompensated and its levels remained 50% higher than basal levels after 6 hours of rest, although the newly synthesized glycogen had fewer branches. This increase in glycogen correlated with an increase in hexokinase-2 expression and activity, a reduction in the glycogen phosphorylase activity ratio and an increase in the glycogen synthase activity ratio, due to dephosphorylation of site 3a, even in the presence of elevated glycogen stores. During supercompensation there was also an increase in 59-AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, correlating with a stable reduction in ATP and total purine nucleotide levels. Conclusions: Glycogen supercompensation requires a coordinated chain of events at two levels in the context of decreased cell energy balance: First, an increase in the glucose phosphorylation capacity of the muscle and secondly, control of the enzymes directly involved in the synthesis and degradation of the glycogen molecule. However, supercompensated glycogen has fewer branches.

Annual Report of the Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY 2010

The Highway Division of the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) engages in research and development for two reasons: first, to find workable solutions to the many problems that require more than ordinary, routine investigation; and second, to identify and implement improved engineering and management practices. This report, entitled ―Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY2009‖ is submitted in compliance with Sections 310.36 and 312.3A, Code of Iowa, which direct the submission of a report of the Secondary Road Research Fund and the Street Research Fund, respectively.

Annual Report of Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY 2011, December 2011

The Highway Division of the Iowa DOT engages in research and development for two reasons: first, to find workable solutions to the many problems that require more than ordinary, routine investigation; and second, to identify and implement improved engineering and management practices. This report, entitled ―Iowa Highway Research Board Research and Development Activities FY2011‖ is submitted in compliance with Sections 310.36 and 312.3A, Code of Iowa, which direct the submission of a report of the Secondary Road Research Fund and the Street Research Fund, respectively. It is a report of the status of research and development projects in progress on June 30, 2011. It is also a report on projects completed during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. Detailed information on each of the research and development projects mentioned in this report is available from the Research and Technology Bureau, Highway Division, Iowa Department of Transportation. All approved reports are also online for viewing at: www.iowadot.gov/operationsresearch/reports.aspx.

Concurrence et régulation dans le secteur hospitalier

Pour mettre en évidence le rôle respectif de la concurrence et de la régulation, cet article traitera essentiellement de la question du financement des hôpitaux. Après une section 1 consacrée aux justifications de la régulation, les modalités de celles-ci seront analysées dans la section 2 avant d'étudier la place de la concurrence dans la section 3. [Auteur, p. 62] [Table des matières] 1. Les fondements de la régulation du système de santé. 1A. Pourquoi réguler (assurance-maladie ; la production de soins). 1B. Comment réguler. - 2. La régulation des tarifs hospitaliers. 2A. Principes généraux de paiement. 2B. La tarification à l'activité. 3. Concurrence et régulation. 3A. Concurrence fictive, spécialisations, et concurrence privé-public. 3B. La concurrence par la qualité. 3C. La concurrence en prix.