H2O-δD-Fe-III relations of dehydrogenation and dehydration processes in magmatic amphiboles

Stable isotope compositions of a suite of magmatic amphiboles from alkaline basalts and andesitic rocks were examined to constrain the effects of degassing processes on the hydrogen isotope compositions. The Fe3+ (as Fe3+/Fe-total) and H2O contents, as well as the H isotope compositions of the amphiboles, differ markedly (27-58%, 0.5-2.2 wt%, -107 to -15 parts per thousand, respectively) but indicate systematic variations. The observed trends can be explained either as dehydrogenation or dehydration processes, both of which are coupled to oxidation processes, the latter most probably related to O2- substitution within amphiboles. The dehydrogenation-dehydration models can be used to assess the primary compositions of the magmas. As an important example, delta D values of amphiboles of Martian meteorites are discussed in a similar context. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Standardizing admission and discharge processes to improve patient flow: A cross sectional study

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate how hospital capacity was managed focusing on standardizing the admission and discharge processes. Methods: This study was set in a 900-bed university affiliated hospital of the National Health Service, near Barcelona (Spain). This is a cross-sectional study of a set of interventions which were gradually implemented between April and December 2008. Mainly, they were focused on standardizing the admission and discharge processes to improve patient flow. Primary administrative data was obtained from the 2007 and 2009 Hospital Database. Main outcome measures were median length of stay, percentage of planned discharges, number of surgery cancellations and median number of delayed emergency admissions at 8:00 am. For statistical bivariate analysis, we used a Chi-squared for linear trend for qualitative variables and a Wilcoxon signed ranks test and a Mann–Whitney test for non-normal continuous variables. Results: The median patients’ global length of stay was 8.56 days in 2007 and 7.93 days in 2009 (p<0.051). The percentage of patients admitted the same day as surgery increased from 64.87% in 2007 to 86.01% in 2009 (p<0.05). The number of cancelled interventions due to lack of beds was 216 patients in 2007 and 42 patients in 2009. The median number of planned discharges went from 43.05% in 2007 to 86.01% in 2009 (p<0.01). The median number of emergency patients waiting for an in-hospital bed at 8:00 am was 5 patients in 2007 and 3 patients in 2009 (p<0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, standardization of admission and discharge processes are largely in our control. There is a significant opportunity to create important benefits for increasing bed capacity and hospital throughput.

Standardizing admission and discharge processes to improve patient flow: A cross sectional study

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate how hospital capacity was managed focusing on standardizing the admission and discharge processes. Methods: This study was set in a 900-bed university affiliated hospital of the National Health Service, near Barcelona (Spain). This is a cross-sectional study of a set of interventions which were gradually implemented between April and December 2008. Mainly, they were focused on standardizing the admission and discharge processes to improve patient flow. Primary administrative data was obtained from the 2007 and 2009 Hospital Database. Main outcome measures were median length of stay, percentage of planned discharges, number of surgery cancellations and median number of delayed emergency admissions at 8:00¿am. For statistical bivariate analysis, we used a Chi-squared for linear trend for qualitative variables and a Wilcoxon signed ranks test and a Mann¿Whitney test for non-normal continuous variables. Results:The median patients' global length of stay was 8.56 days in 2007 and 7.93 days in 2009 (p<0.051). The percentage of patients admitted the same day as surgery increased from 64.87% in 2007 to 86.01% in 2009 (p<0.05). The number of cancelled interventions due to lack of beds was 216 patients in 2007 and 42 patients in 2009. The median number of planned discharges went from 43.05% in 2007 to 86.01% in 2009 (p<0.01). The median number of emergency patients waiting for an in-hospital bed at 8:00¿am was 5 patients in 2007 and 3 patients in 2009 (p<0.01). Conclusions: In conclusion, standardization of admission and discharge processes are largely in our control. There is a significant opportunity to create important benefits for increasing bed capacity and hospital throughput.

Occupational research : selected bibliography of Iowa research in vocational-technical education and related areas -- 1960-1967

The Iowa RCU has developed this selected bibliography of Iowa research in Vocational-Technical Education and related areas. Contract research as well as abstracts of masters theses and doctoral dissertations are included. For the most part, these abstracts have been gleaned from research at the three state universities and Drake University.

Occupational research supplement no. 1 : selected bibliography of Iowa research in vocational-technical education and related areas -- 1963-1968

This is a supplement to the selected bibliography of Iowa research in Vocational-Technical Education and related areas that the Iowa RCU developed. Contract research as well as abstracts of masters theses and doctoral dissertations are included.

Occupational research supplement no. 2 : selected bibliography of Iowa research in vocational-technical education and related areas -- 1966-1968

This is supplement no. 2 to the selected bibliography of Iowa research in Vocational-Technical Education and related areas that the Iowa RCU developed. Contract research as well as abstracts of masters theses and doctoral dissertations are included.

Quantification of magmatic and hydrothermal processes in a peralkaline syenite-alkali granite complex based on textures, phase equilibria, and stable and radiogenic isotopes

The Puklen complex of the Mid-Proterozoic Gardar Province, South Greenland, consists of various silica-saturated to quartz-bearing syenites, which are intruded by a peralkaline granite. The primary mafic minerals in the syenites are augite +/- olivine + Fe-Ti oxide + amphibole. Ternary feldspar thermometry and phase equilibria among mafic silicates yield T = 950-750degreesC, a(SiO2) = 0.7-1 and an f(O2) of 1-3 log units below the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer at 1 kbar. In the granites, the primary mafic minerals are ilmenite and Li-bearing arfvedsonite, which crystallized at temperatures below 750degreesC and at f(O2) values around the FMQ buffer. In both rock types, a secondary post-magmatic assemblage overprints the primary magmatic phases. In syenites, primary Ca-bearing minerals are replaced by Na-rich minerals such as aegirine-augite and albite, resulting in the release of Ca. Accordingly, secondary minerals include ferro-actinolite, (calcite-siderite)(ss), titanite and andradite in equilibrium with the Na-rich minerals. Phase equilibria indicate that formation of these minerals took place over a long temperature interval from near-magmatic temperatures down to similar to300degreesC. In the course of this cooling, oxygen fugacity rose in most samples. For example, late-stage aegirine in granites formed at the expense of arfvedsonite at temperatures below 300degreesC and at an oxygen fugacity above the haematite-magnetite (HM) buffer. The calculated delta(18)O(melt) value for the syenites (+5.9 to +6.3parts per thousand) implies a mantle origin, whereas the inferred delta(18)O(melt) value of <+5.1parts per thousand for the granitic melts is significantly lower. Thus, the granites require an additional low-delta(18)O contaminant, which was not involved in the genesis of the syenites. Rb/Sr data for minerals of both rock types indicate open-system behaviour for Rb and Sr during post-magmatic metasomatism. Neodymium isotope compositions (epsilonNd(1170 Ma) = -3.8 to -6.4) of primary minerals in syenites are highly variable, and suggest that assimilation of crustal rocks occurred to variable extents. Homogeneous epsilon(Nd) values of -5.9 and -6.0 for magmatic amphibole in the granites lie within the range of the syenites. Because of the very similar neodymium isotopic compositions of magmatic and late- to post-magmatic minerals from the same syenite samples a principally closed-system behaviour during cooling is implied. In contrast, for the granites an externally derived fluid phase is required to explain the extremely low epsilon(Nd) values of about -10 and low delta(18)O between +2.0 and +0.5parts per thousand for late-stage aegirine, indicating an open system in the late-stage history. In this study we show that the combination of phase equilibria constraints with stable and radiogenic isotope data on mineral separates can provide much better constraints on magma evolution during emplacement and crystallization than conventional whole-rock studies.

Iowa: Education and Workforce Trends through 2025, September 29, 2015

Since the 1980s, education or training beyond high school has become the new minimum threshold for Americans to earn a living wage and attain middle class status. In 1973, only 28 percent of U.S. jobs required education beyond a high school diploma; by 2025, almost two out of three jobs in the nation will require at least some post secondary education or training. Iowa’s economy reflects this national trend and demonstrates a steady increase in the demand for post secondary education and training in the industries that form the mainstay of the national economy.

Stable isotope (C, O, S) systematics of the mercury mineralization at Idrija, Slovenia: constraints on fluid source and alteration processes

The world-class Idrija mercury deposit (western Slovenia) is hosted by highly deformed Permocarboniferous to Middle Triassic sedimentary rocks within a complex tectonic structure at the transition between the External Dinarides and the Southern Alps. Concordant and discordant mineralization formed concomitant with Middle Triassic bimodal volcanism in an aborted rift. A multiple isotopic (C, O, S) investigation of host rocks and ore minerals was performed to put constraints on the source and composition of the fluid, and the hydrothermal alteration. The distributions of the delta(13)C and delta(18)O values of host and gangue carbonates are indicative of a fracture-controlled hydrothermal system, with locally high fluid-rock ratios. Quantitative modeling of the delta(13)C and delta(18)O covariation for host carbonates during temperature dependent fluid-rock interaction, and concomitant precipitation of void-filling dolomites points to a slightly acidic hydrothermal fluid (delta(13)Capproximate to-4parts per thousand and delta(18)Oapproximate to+10parts per thousand), which most likely evolved during isotopic exchange with carbonates under low fluid/rock ratios. The delta(34)S values of hydrothermal and sedimentary sulfur minerals were used to re-evaluate the previously proposed magmatic and evaporitic sulfur sources for the mineralization, and to assess the importance of other possible sulfur sources such as the contemporaneous seawater sulfate, sedimentary pyrite, and organic sulfur compounds. The delta(34)S values of the sulfides show a large variation at deposit down to hand-specimen scale. They range for cinnabar and pyrite from -19.1 to +22.8parts per thousand, and from -22.4 to +59.6parts per thousand, respectively, suggesting mixing of sulfur from different sources. The peak of delta(34)S values of cinnabar and pyrite close to 0parts per thousand is compatible with ore sulfur derived dominantly from a magmatic fluid and/or from hydrothermal leaching of basement rocks. The similar stratigraphic trends of the delta(34)S values of both cinnabar and pyrite suggest a minor contribution of sedimentary sulfur (pyrite and organic sulfur) to the ore formation. Some of the positive delta(34)S values are probably derived from thermochemical reduction of evaporitic and contemporaneous seawater sulfates.

Urgences vitales au cabinet médical: implications pour la formation et l'equipement du médecin de premier recours [Life-threatening emergencies at the office: implications for medical education and equipment of the primary care physician].

Every medical practitioner is confronted on a daily basis with emergencies. Among these, life-threatening emergencies can have disastrous consequences in term of morbidity and mortality; 22 cardiac arrests and 10 deaths were reported among the 1,650 Swiss practices during a 5 year period. The occurrence of life-threatening emergencies at the office necessitates, according to the type and place of the practice, the skills of the practitioner and the organization of his practice, the implementation of procedures, equipments (for example room equipped with a defibrillator, respiratory nebulizer, splints, emergency drugs) and specific continuous education programs that should be encouraged and made available to the whole medical corporation.

Settlement evolution, field systems and sedimentary processes in a Mediterranean mid-mountain (Montseny Massif, Catalunya)

This paper presents the first results of a current research project about human – environmental interactions in the Montseny Massif. Our work sets out to integrate two research lines in the studied area: - Archaeological and archaeo-morphological surveys in a lower part of the mountains in order to characterize the evolution of the settlements and field systems. - The geological and geomorphological characterization of the slope and terrace deposits in relation with field systems and archaeological data. First results point out the intensive occupation of these inland areas during the Iberian and the Roman periods. Post-Roman sediments show different processes of erosion.

The Roles of Cultural, Functional and Value Diversity in Innovativeness and Learning

Tutkielman tavoite on tutkia kulttuurista, funktionaalista ja arvojen diversiteettiä, niiden suhdetta innovatiivisuuteen ja oppimiseen sekä tarjota keinoja diversiteetin johtamiseen. Tämän lisäksi selvitetään linjaesimiesten haastattelujen kautta miten diversiteetti case -organisaatiossa tällä hetkellä koetaan. Organisaation diversiteetin tämänhetkisen tilan tunnistamisen kautta voidaan esittää parannusehdotuksia diversiteetin hallintaan. Tutkimus- ja tiedonkeruumenetelmänä käytetään kvalitatiivista focus group haastattelumenetelmää. Tutkimuksessa saatiin selkeä kuva kulttuurisen, funktionaalisen ja arvojen diversiteetin merkityksistä organisaation innovatiivisuudelle ja oppimiselle sekä löydettiin keinoja näiden diversiteetin tyyppien johtamiseen. Tutkimuksen tärkeä löydös on se, että diversiteetti vaikuttaa positiivisesti organisaation innovatiivisuuteen kun sitä johdetaan tehokkaasti ja kun organisaatioympäristö tukee avointa keskustelua ja mielipiteiden jakamista. Case organisaation tämänhetkistä diversiteetin tilaa selvitettäessä havaittiin että ongelma organisaatiossa ei ole diversiteetin puute, vaan paremminkin se, ettei diversiteettia osata hyödyntää. Organisaatio ei tue erilaisten näkemysten ja mielipiteiden vapaata esittämistä jahyväksikäyttöä ja siksi diversiteetin hyödyntäminen on epätäydellistä. Haastatteluissa tärkeinä seikkoina diversiteetin hyödyntämisen parantamisessa nähtiin kulttuurin muuttaminen avoimempaan suuntaan ja johtajien esimiestaitojen parantaminen.

Improving globally distributed software development and support processes - A workflow view

We propose a new approach and related indicators for globally distributed software support and development based on a 3-year process improvement project in a globally distributed engineering company. The company develops, delivers and supports a complex software system with tailored hardware components and unique end-customer installations. By applying the domain knowledge from operations management on lead time reduction and its multiple benefits to process performance, the workflows of globally distributed software development and multitier support processes were measured and monitored throughout the company. The results show that the global end-to-end process visibility and centrally managed reporting at all levels of the organization catalyzed a change process toward significantly better performance. Due to the new performance indicators based on lead times and their variation with fixed control procedures, the case company was able to report faster bug-fixing cycle times, improved response times and generally better customer satisfaction in its global operations. In all, lead times to implement new features and to respond to customer issues and requests were reduced by 50%.

Educational data mining and learning analytics : Clasificación de las matriculaciones de A.D.E. en la UOC

Trabajo de investigación que realiza un estudio clasificatorio de las asignaturas matriculadas en la carrera de Administración y Dirección de Empresas de la UOC en relación a su resultado. Se proponen diferentes métodos y modelos de comprensión del entorno en el que se realiza el estudio.