Development of a duplex real-time PCR for the detection of Rickettsia spp. and typhus group rickettsia in clinical samples.

Molecular diagnosis using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may allow earlier diagnosis of rickettsiosis. We developed a duplex real-time PCR that amplifies (1) DNA of any rickettsial species and (2) DNA of both typhus group rickettsia, that is, Rickettsia prowazekii and Rickettsia typhi. Primers and probes were selected to amplify a segment of the 16S rRNA gene of Rickettsia spp. for the pan-rickettsial PCR and the citrate synthase gene (gltA) for the typhus group rickettsia PCR. Analytical sensitivity was 10 copies of control plasmid DNA per reaction. No cross-amplification was observed when testing human DNA and 22 pathogens or skin commensals. Real-time PCR was applied to 16 clinical samples. Rickettsial DNA was detected in the skin biopsies of three patients. In one patient with severe murine typhus, the typhus group PCR was positive in a skin biopsy from a petechial lesion and seroconversion was later documented. The two other patients with negative typhus group PCR suffered from Mediterranean and African spotted fever, respectively; in both cases, skin biopsy was performed on the eschar. Our duplex real-time PCR showed a good analytical sensitivity and specificity, allowing early diagnosis of rickettsiosis among three patients, and recognition of typhus in one of them.

The media accountability of independent regulatory agencies

Independent regulatory agencies (IRAs) are increasingly attracting academic and societal attention, as they represent the institutional cornerstone of the regulatory state and play a key role in policy-making. Besides the expected benefits in terms of credibility and efficiency, these regulators are said to bring about a 'democratic deficit', following their statutory separation from democratic institutions. Consequently, a 'multi-pronged system of control' is required. This article focuses on a specific component of this system, that is, the media. The goal is to determine whether media coverage of IRAs meets the necessary prerequisites to be considered a potential 'accountability forum' for regulators. The results of a comparison of two contrasted cases - the British and Swiss competition commissions - mostly support the expectations, because they show that media coverage of IRAs corresponds to that of the most relevant policy issues and follows the regulatory cycle. Furthermore, a systematic bias in media coverage can be excluded.

Automated segmentation of multiple red blood cells with digital holographic microscopy.

We present a method to automatically segment red blood cells (RBCs) visualized by digital holographic microscopy (DHM), which is based on the marker-controlled watershed algorithm. Quantitative phase images of RBCs can be obtained by using off-axis DHM along to provide some important information about each RBC, including size, shape, volume, hemoglobin content, etc. The most important process of segmentation based on marker-controlled watershed is to perform an accurate localization of internal and external markers. Here, we first obtain the binary image via Otsu algorithm. Then, we apply morphological operations to the binary image to get the internal markers. We then apply the distance transform algorithm combined with the watershed algorithm to generate external markers based on internal markers. Finally, combining the internal and external markers, we modify the original gradient image and apply the watershed algorithm. By appropriately identifying the internal and external markers, the problems of oversegmentation and undersegmentation are avoided. Furthermore, the internal and external parts of the RBCs phase image can also be segmented by using the marker-controlled watershed combined with our method, which can identify the internal and external markers appropriately. Our experimental results show that the proposed method achieves good performance in terms of segmenting RBCs and could thus be helpful when combined with an automated classification of RBCs.

Hybrid model of a double-fed induction machine and back-to-back converter

This report details the port interconnection of two subsystems: a power electronics subsystem (a back-to-back AC/AC converter (B2B), coupled to a phase of the power grid), and an electromechanical subsystem (a doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM), coupled mechanically to a flywheel and electrically to the power grid and to a local varying load). Both subsystems have been essentially described in previous reports (deliverables D 0.5 and D 4.3.1), although some previously unpublished details are presented here. The B2B is a variable structure system (VSS), due to the presence of control-actuated switches: however from a modelling and simulation, as well as a control-design, point of view, it is sensible to consider modulated transformers (MTF in the bond-graph language) instead of the pairs of complementary switches. The port-Hamiltonian models of both subsystems are presents and coupled through a power-preserving interconnection, and the Hamiltonian description of the whole system is obtained; detailed bond-graphs of all the subsystems and the complete system are provided.

Energy-based modelling and simulation of the interconnection of a back-to-back converter and a doubly-fed induction machine

This paper describes the port interconnection of two subsystems: a power electronics subsystem (a back-to-back AC/CA converter (B2B), coupled to a phase of the power grid), and an electromechanical subsystem (a doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM). The B2B is a variable structure system (VSS), due to presence of control-actuated switches: however, from a modelling simulation, as well as a control-design, point of view, it is sensible to consider modulated transformers (MTF in the bond graph language) instead of the pairs of complementary switches. The port-Hamiltonian models of both subsystems are presented and, using a power-preserving interconnection, the Hamiltonian description of the whole system is obtained; detailed bond graphs of all subsystems and the complete system are also provided. Using passivity-based controllers computed in the Hamiltonian formalism for both subsystems, the whole model is simulated; simulations are run to rest the correctness and efficiency of the Hamiltonian network modelling approach used in this work.

Control hardware and Condition Monitoring System for Intersector Weld/Cut Robot

Työ sisältää ohjaislaitteiston vertailun ja valinnan rinnakkaisrakenteista robottia varten sekä kunnonvalvontajärjestelmän periaatteiden laadinnan kyseistä robottia varten. Ohjauslaitteisto sisältää teollisuustietokoneen sekä kenttäväylän. Sekä tietokoneesta että väylästä on teoriaosuus ja yksityiskohtaisempi valintaosuus. Teoriaosuudessa selitetään tarkemmin laitteiden toimintaperiaatteista. Valintaosuudessa kerrotaanmiksi jokin tietty laite on valittu käytettäväksi robotin ohjauksessa. Kunnonvalvontateoria ja rinnakkaisrakenteisen robotin kunnonvalvonnan keinot ovat työn toinen osa. Teoriaosa sisältää yleisluonteisen selvityksen vikaantumisesta ja valvonnasta. Erikoisrobotin kunnonvalvonnan keinot esitetään työssä tietyssä järjestyksessä. Ensin esitetään mahdolliset vikatilanteet. Toisessa kohdassa havainnollistetaan vikojen havaitseminen.

Clinically relevant quality measures for risk factor control in primary care: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of the proportion of patients with well controlled cardiovascular risk factors underestimates the proportion of patients receiving high quality of care. Evaluating whether physicians respond appropriately to poor risk factor control gives a different picture of quality of care. We assessed physician response to control cardiovascular risk factors, as well as markers of potential overtreatment in Switzerland, a country with universal healthcare coverage but without systematic quality monitoring, annual report cards on quality of care or financial incentives to improve quality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1002 randomly selected patients aged 50-80 years from four university primary care settings in Switzerland. For hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus, we first measured proportions in control, then assessed therapy modifications among those in poor control. "Appropriate clinical action" was defined as a therapy modification or return to control without therapy modification within 12 months among patients with baseline poor control. Potential overtreatment of these conditions was defined as intensive treatment among low-risk patients with optimal target values. RESULTS: 20% of patients with hypertension, 41% with dyslipidemia and 36% with diabetes mellitus were in control at baseline. When appropriate clinical action in response to poor control was integrated into measuring quality of care, 52 to 55% had appropriate quality of care. Over 12 months, therapy of 61% of patients with baseline poor control was modified for hypertension, 33% for dyslipidemia, and 85% for diabetes mellitus. Increases in number of drug classes (28-51%) and in drug doses (10-61%) were the most common therapy modifications. Patients with target organ damage and higher baseline values were more likely to have appropriate clinical action. We found low rates of potential overtreatment with 2% for hypertension, 3% for diabetes mellitus and 3-6% for dyslipidemia. CONCLUSIONS: In primary care, evaluating whether physicians respond appropriately to poor risk factor control, in addition to assessing proportions in control, provide a broader view of the quality of care than relying solely on measures of proportions in control. Such measures could be more clinically relevant and acceptable to physicians than simply reporting levels of control.

Dynamic Simulations of Rotors during Drop on Retainer Bearings

The active magnetic bearings have recently been intensively developed because of noncontact support having several advantages compared to conventional bearings. Due to improved materials, strategies of control, and electrical components, the performance and reliability of the active magnetic bearings are improving. However, additional bearings, retainer bearings, still have a vital role in the applications of the active magnetic bearings. The most crucial moment when the retainer bearings are needed is when the rotor drops from the active magnetic bearings on the retainer bearings due to component or power failure. Without appropriate knowledge of the retainer bearings, there is a chance that an active magnetic bearing supported rotor system will be fatal in a drop-down situation. This study introduces a detailed simulation model of a rotor system in order to describe a rotor drop-down situation on the retainer bearings. The introduced simulation model couples a finite element model with component mode synthesis and detailed bearing models. In this study, electrical components and electromechanical forces are not in the focus. The research looks at the theoretical background of the finite element method with component mode synthesis that can be used in the dynamic analysis of flexible rotors. The retainer bearings are described by using two ball bearing models, which include damping and stiffness properties, oil film, inertia of rolling elements and friction between races and rolling elements. Thefirst bearing model assumes that the cage of the bearing is ideal and that the cage holds the balls in their predefined positions precisely. The second bearing model is an extension of the first model and describes the behavior of the cageless bearing. In the bearing model, each ball is described by using two degrees of freedom. The models introduced in this study are verified with a corresponding actual structure. By using verified bearing models, the effects of the parameters of the rotor system onits dynamics during emergency stops are examined. As shown in this study, the misalignment of the retainer bearings has a significant influence on the behavior of the rotor system in a drop-down situation. In this study, a stability map of the rotor system as a function of rotational speed of the rotor and the misalignment of the retainer bearings is presented. In addition, the effects of parameters of the simulation procedure and the rotor system on the dynamics of system are studied.

Field Sales Management Control: Towards a Multi-Level Theory

The purpose of this dissertation is to increase the understanding and knowledge of field sales management control systems (i.e. sales managers monitoring, directing, evaluating and rewarding activities) and their potential consequences on salespeople. This topic is important because research conducted in the past has indicated that the choice of control system type can on the other hand have desirable consequences, such as high levels of motivation and performance, and on the other hand leadto harmful unintended consequences, such as opportunistic or unethical behaviors. Despite the fact that marketing and sales management control systems have been under rigorous research for over two decades, it still is at a very early stage of development, and several inconsistencies can be found in the research results. This dissertation argues that these inconsistencies are mainly derived from misspecification of the level of analysis in the past research. These different levels of analysis (i.e. strategic, tactical, and operational levels) involve very different decision-making situations regarding the control and motivation of sales force, which should be taken into consideration when conceptualizing the control. Moreover, the study of salesperson consequences of a field sales management control system is actually a cross-level phenomenon, which means that at least two levels of analysis are simultaneously involved. The results of this dissertation confirm the need to re-conceptualize the field sales management control system concept. It provides empirical evidence for the assertion that control should be conceptualized with more details atthe tactical/operational level of analysis than at the strategic levelof analysis. Moreover, the results show that some controls are more efficiently communicated to field salespeople than others. It is proposed that this difference is due to different purposes of control; some controls aredesigned for influencing salespersons' behavior (aim at motivating) whereas some controls are designed to aid decision-making (aim at providing information). According to the empirical results of this dissertation, the both types of controls have an impact to the sales force, but this impactis not as strong as expected. The results obtained in this dissertation shed some light to the nature of field sales management control systems, and their consequences on salespeopl

Vaarinpidosta virtuaaliaikaan : Sata vuotta suomalaista tilintarkastusta

Tämän tutkimuksen aiheena on tilintarkastuksen historiallinen kehittyminen Suomessa runsaan sadan vuoden aikana. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on analysoida osakeyhtiön tilintarkastuksen kehitystä ja yhdistää vuosisadan kehityspiirteet tilintarkastuksen kokonaiskuvaksi. Tutkittava periodi alkaa 1800-luvun lopulta ja päättyy 2000-luvun taitteeseen. Tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan suomalaista tilintarkastusinstituutiota, joka jaetaan kolmeen osaan: tilintarkastusta säätelevään normistoon (normit), tilintarkastajajärjestelmään (toimijat) ja tilintarkastuksen sisältöön (tehtävät). Tutkimuksessa tavoitellaan vastauksia kysymyksiin: mitä tarkastettiin, milloin tarkastettiin, kuka tarkasti ja miten tarkastettiin eri aikakausina? Tutkimus perustuu historialliseen lähdeaineistoon, jonka muodostavat tutkimusajanjakson lainsäädäntö, lainvalmisteluasiakirjat, viranomaisten ohjeet ja päätökset, alan järjestöjen suositukset, ammattilehtien artikkelit sekä laskentatoimen ja tilintarkastuksen ammattikirjallisuus. Metodologisesti tutkimus on teoreettinen, kvalitatiivinen historiantutkimus, jossa lähdeaineistoa käsitellään lähdekriittisesti ja osittain sisältöanalyysin keinoin. Tilintarkastusta säätelevässä normistossa keskeisiä lakeja ovat olleet osakeyhtiölaki, kirjanpitolaki ja tilintarkastuslaki. Lakisääteinen tilintarkastus alkoi vuoden 1895 osakeyhtiölaista, joka uudistui vuonna 1978 ja jälleen vuonna 1997. Kirjanpitolainsäädäntö on uudistunut viidesti: 1925 ja 1928, 1945, 1973, 1993 sekä 1997. Vuoden 1994 tilintarkastuslakiin koottiin tilintarkastuksen säädökset useista laeista. Muita normistoja ovat olleet EY:n direktiivit, Kilan ohjeet, KHT-yhdistyksen suositukset, Keskuskauppakamarin säännökset ja viimeisimpinä IAS- ja ISA-standardit. Ammattimainen tilintarkastajajärjestelmä saatiin maahamme kauppiaskokousten ansiosta. Ammattimaisena tilintarkastuksen toimijana aloitti Suomen Tilintarkastajainyhdistys vuonna 1911, ja sen toimintaa jatkoi KHT-yhdistys vuodesta 1925 alkaen. Tilintarkastajien auktorisointi siirtyi Keskuskauppakamarille vuonna 1924. HTM-tilintarkastajat ovat olleet alalla vuodesta 1950 lähtien. Kauppakamarijärjestö on toiminut hyväksyttyjen tilintarkastajien valvojana koko ammattimaisen tilintarkastustoiminnan ajan. Valtion valvontaa suorittaa VALA (Valtion tilintarkastuslautakunta). Koko tutkittavan periodin ajan auktorisoitujen tilintarkastajien rinnalla osakeyhtiöiden tarkastajina ovat toimineet myös maallikot.Tilintarkastuksen tehtäviin kuului vuoden 1895 osakeyhtiölain mukaan hallinnon ja tilien tarkastus. Myöhemmin sisältö täsmentyi tilinpäätöksen, kirjanpidon ja hallinnon tarkastukseksi. Tutkimusajanjakson alussa tilintarkastus oli manuaalista kaikkien tositteiden prikkausta ja virheiden etsimistä. Myöhemmin tarkastus muuttui pistokokeiksi. Kertatarkastuksesta siirryttiin jatkuvaan valvontatarkastukseen 1900-luvun alkupuolella. Dokumentoinnista ja työpapereista alkaa olla havaintoja 1930-luvulta lähtien. Atk-tarkastus yleistyi 1970- ja 1980-luvuilla, jolloin myös riskianalyyseihin alettiin kiinnittää huomiota. Hallinnon tarkastuksen merkitys on kasvanut kaiken aikaa. Tilintarkastuskertomukset olivat tutkimusajanjakson alussa vapaamuotoisia ja sisällöltään ilmaisurikkaita ja kuvailevia. Kertomus muuttui julkiseksi vuoden 1978 osakeyhtiölain myötä. Myöhemmin KHT-yhdistyksen vakiokertomusmallit yhdenmukaistivat ja pelkistivät raportointia. Tutkimuksen perusteella tilintarkastuksen historia voidaan jakaa kolmeen kauteen, jotka ovat tilintarkastusinstituution rakentumisen kausi (1895 - 1950), vakiintumisen kausi (1951 - 1985) ja kansainvälistymisen ja julkisuuden kausi (1986 alkaen). Tutkimusajanjakson jokaisella vuosikymmenellä keskusteltiin jatkuvasti tilintarkastajien riittävyydestä, alalle pääsyn ja tutkintojen vaikeudesta, tilintarkastajien ammattitaidon tasosta,hallinnon tarkastuksen sisällöstä, tilintarkastuskertomuksesta sekä maallikkotarkastajien asemasta. 1990-luvun keskeisimmät keskusteluaiheet olivat konsultointi, riippumattomuus, odotuskuilu sekä tilintarkastuksen taso ja laadunvalvonta. Analysoitaessa tilintarkastuksen muutoksia runsaan sadan vuoden ajalta voidaan todeta, että tilintarkastuksen ydintehtävät eivät juurikaan ole muuttuneet vuosikymmenien kuluessa. Osakeyhtiön tilintarkastus on edelleenkin laillisuustarkastusta. Sen tarkoituksena on yhä kirjanpidon, tilinpäätöksen ja hallinnon tarkastus. Tilintarkastajat valvovat osakkeenomistajien etua ja raportoivat heille tarkastuksen tuloksista. Tilintarkastuksen ulkoinen maailma sen sijaan on muuttunut vuosikymmenten saatossa. Kansainvälistyminen on lisännyt säännösten määrää, odotuksia ja vaatimuksia on nykyisin enemmän, uusi tekniikka mahdollistaa nopean tiedonkulun ja valvonta on lisääntynyt nykypäivää kohti tultaessa. Tilintarkastajan pätevyys perustuu nykyään tietotekniikan, tietojärjestelmien ja yrityksen toimialantuntemukseen. Runsaan sadan vuoden takaisen lain vaarinpitovaatimuksesta on tultu virtuaaliaikaiseen maailmaan!

Selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia in forced unsteady state reactors - Case based reasoning and mathematical model simulation reasoning

The application of forced unsteady-state reactors in case of selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) with ammonia (NH3) is sustained by the fact that favorable temperature and composition distributions which cannot be achieved in any steady-state regime can be obtained by means of unsteady-state operations. In a normal way of operation the low exothermicity of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) reaction (usually carried out in the range of 280-350°C) is not enough to maintain by itself the chemical reaction. A normal mode of operation usually requires supply of supplementary heat increasing in this way the overall process operation cost. Through forced unsteady-state operation, the main advantage that can be obtained when exothermic reactions take place is the possibility of trapping, beside the ammonia, the moving heat wave inside the catalytic bed. The unsteady state-operation enables the exploitation of the thermal storage capacity of the catalyticbed. The catalytic bed acts as a regenerative heat exchanger allowing auto-thermal behaviour when the adiabatic temperature rise is low. Finding the optimum reactor configuration, employing the most suitable operation model and identifying the reactor behavior are highly important steps in order to configure a proper device for industrial applications. The Reverse Flow Reactor (RFR) - a forced unsteady state reactor - corresponds to the above mentioned characteristics and may be employed as an efficient device for the treatment of dilute pollutant mixtures. As a main disadvantage, beside its advantages, the RFR presents the 'wash out' phenomena. This phenomenon represents emissions of unconverted reactants at every switch of the flow direction. As a consequence our attention was focused on finding an alternative reactor configuration for RFR which is not affected by the incontrollable emissions of unconverted reactants. In this respect the Reactor Network (RN) was investigated. Its configuration consists of several reactors connected in a closed sequence, simulating a moving bed by changing the reactants feeding position. In the RN the flow direction is maintained in the same way ensuring uniformcatalyst exploitation and in the same time the 'wash out' phenomena is annulated. The simulated moving bed (SMB) can operate in transient mode giving practically constant exit concentration and high conversion levels. The main advantage of the reactor network operation is emphasizedby the possibility to obtain auto-thermal behavior with nearly uniformcatalyst utilization. However, the reactor network presents only a small range of switching times which allow to reach and to maintain an ignited state. Even so a proper study of the complex behavior of the RN may give the necessary information to overcome all the difficulties that can appear in the RN operation. The unsteady-state reactors complexity arises from the fact that these reactor types are characterized by short contact times and complex interaction between heat and mass transportphenomena. Such complex interactions can give rise to a remarkable complex dynamic behavior characterized by a set of spatial-temporal patterns, chaotic changes in concentration and traveling waves of heat or chemical reactivity. The main efforts of the current research studies concern the improvement of contact modalities between reactants, the possibility of thermal wave storage inside the reactor and the improvement of the kinetic activity of the catalyst used. Paying attention to the above mentioned aspects is important when higher activity even at low feeding temperatures and low emissions of unconverted reactants are the main operation concerns. Also, the prediction of the reactor pseudo or steady-state performance (regarding the conversion, selectivity and thermal behavior) and the dynamicreactor response during exploitation are important aspects in finding the optimal control strategy for the forced unsteady state catalytic tubular reactors. The design of an adapted reactor requires knowledge about the influence of its operating conditions on the overall process performance and a precise evaluation of the operating parameters rage for which a sustained dynamic behavior is obtained. An apriori estimation of the system parameters result in diminution of the computational efforts. Usually the convergence of unsteady state reactor systems requires integration over hundreds of cycles depending on the initial guess of the parameter values. The investigation of various operation models and thermal transfer strategies give reliable means to obtain recuperative and regenerative devices which are capable to maintain an auto-thermal behavior in case of low exothermic reactions. In the present research work a gradual analysis of the SCR of NOx with ammonia process in forced unsteady-state reactors was realized. The investigation covers the presentationof the general problematic related to the effect of noxious emissions in the environment, the analysis of the suitable catalysts types for the process, the mathematical analysis approach for modeling and finding the system solutions and the experimental investigation of the device found to be more suitable for the present process. In order to gain information about the forced unsteady state reactor design, operation, important system parameters and their values, mathematical description, mathematicalmethod for solving systems of partial differential equations and other specific aspects, in a fast and easy way, and a case based reasoning (CBR) approach has been used. This approach, using the experience of past similarproblems and their adapted solutions, may provide a method for gaining informations and solutions for new problems related to the forced unsteady state reactors technology. As a consequence a CBR system was implemented and a corresponding tool was developed. Further on, grooving up the hypothesis of isothermal operation, the investigation by means of numerical simulation of the feasibility of the SCR of NOx with ammonia in the RFRand in the RN with variable feeding position was realized. The hypothesis of non-isothermal operation was taken into account because in our opinion ifa commercial catalyst is considered, is not possible to modify the chemical activity and its adsorptive capacity to improve the operation butis possible to change the operation regime. In order to identify the most suitable device for the unsteady state reduction of NOx with ammonia, considering the perspective of recuperative and regenerative devices, a comparative analysis of the above mentioned two devices performance was realized. The assumption of isothermal conditions in the beginningof the forced unsteadystate investigation allowed the simplification of the analysis enabling to focus on the impact of the conditions and mode of operation on the dynamic features caused by the trapping of one reactant in the reactor, without considering the impact of thermal effect on overall reactor performance. The non-isothermal system approach has been investigated in order to point out the important influence of the thermal effect on overall reactor performance, studying the possibility of RFR and RN utilization as recuperative and regenerative devices and the possibility of achieving a sustained auto-thermal behavior in case of lowexothermic reaction of SCR of NOx with ammonia and low temperature gasfeeding. Beside the influence of the thermal effect, the influence of the principal operating parameters, as switching time, inlet flow rate and initial catalyst temperature have been stressed. This analysis is important not only because it allows a comparison between the two devices and optimisation of the operation, but also the switching time is the main operating parameter. An appropriate choice of this parameter enables the fulfilment of the process constraints. The level of the conversions achieved, the more uniform temperature profiles, the uniformity ofcatalyst exploitation and the much simpler mode of operation imposed the RN as a much more suitable device for SCR of NOx with ammonia, in usual operation and also in the perspective of control strategy implementation. Theoretical simplified models have also been proposed in order to describe the forced unsteady state reactors performance and to estimate their internal temperature and concentration profiles. The general idea was to extend the study of catalytic reactor dynamics taking into account the perspectives that haven't been analyzed yet. The experimental investigation ofRN revealed a good agreement between the data obtained by model simulation and the ones obtained experimentally.

Dynamic model of the left ventricle for use in simulation of myocardial perfusion SPECT and gated SPECT

Simulation is a useful tool in cardiac SPECT to assess quantification algorithms. However, simple equation-based models are limited in their ability to simulate realistic heart motion and perfusion. We present a numerical dynamic model of the left ventricle, which allows us to simulate normal and anomalous cardiac cycles, as well as perfusion defects. Bicubic splines were fitted to a number of control points to represent endocardial and epicardial surfaces of the left ventricle. A transformation from each point on the surface to a template of activity was made to represent the myocardial perfusion. Geometry-based and patient-based simulations were performed to illustrate this model. Geometry-based simulations modeled ~1! a normal patient, ~2! a well-perfused patient with abnormal regional function, ~3! an ischaemic patient with abnormal regional function, and ~4! a patient study including tracer kinetics. Patient-based simulation consisted of a left ventricle including a realistic shape and motion obtained from a magnetic resonance study. We conclude that this model has the potential to study the influence of several physical parameters and the left ventricle contraction in myocardial perfusion SPECT and gated-SPECT studies.

A meta-analysis of acupuncture for chronic pain.

Results of 14 randomized controlled trials of acupuncture for chronic pain were pooled in a meta-analysis and analysed in three subgroups according to site of pain; and in two subgroups each according to type to trial, type of treatment, type of control, 'blindness' of participating agents, trial size, and type of journal in which results were published. While few individual trials had statistically significant results, pooled results of many subgroups attained statistical significance in favour of acupuncture. Various potential sources of bias, including problems with blindness, precluded a conclusive finding although most results apparently favoured acupuncture.

Plagas de los espacios verdes urbanos: bases para su control integrado

En España, las plagas de los espacios verdes urbanos suponen cada año un notable esfuerzo de control y la aplicación de plaguicidas es la estrategia de control empleada casi exclusivamente, con los subsiguientes riesgos que conlleva para las personas, animales y el medio ambiente. El control integrado es una alternativa pero requiere, para poder ser aplicada, un conocimiento profundo de las especies-plaga implicadas, de su biología, dinámica de poblaciones, daños, metodologías de muestreo y posibles sistemas de control. Esta información es difícil de encontrar en España debido a que existen pocos trabajos publicados sobre plagas de zonas verdes urbanas llevados a cabo de una forma sistematizada y a medio o largo plazo. En el presente artículo se analizan los condicionantes del control integrado de plagas en espacios verdes urbanos y se presenta un ejemplo, a partir de los estudios llevados a cabo en la ciudad de Lleida durante el período 2001-2003, de cómo la información básica necesaria para la implementación de posibles programas de control integrado puede ser obtenida.

Passiflora edulis Sims: the correct taxonomic way to cite the yellow passion fruit (and of others colors)

Passiflora edulis, the passion fruit native from Brazil, has several common names (such as sour passion fruit, yellow passion fruit, black passion fruit, and purple passion fruit), and presents a wide variability with the different rind colors of its fruits, which are very easy to notice. However, in 1932, Otto Degener suggested that the yellow passion fruit had its origin in Australia through breeding, calling it P. edulis forma flavicarpa, and that it could be distinguished by the color of the fruit, the deeper shade of purple of the corona, and the presence of glands on the sepals. These distinctions do not support themselves, for the glands are common to the species (although they may be absent), and the corona has a wide range of colors, regardless of the color of the fruit. A more critical ingredient is the fact that the external coloration of the fruit is a character of complex inheritance and is not dominant, thus displaying a number of intermediate colors, making it difficult to identify the extreme colors. For the correct scientific naming of agricultural plants, the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature must be used in conjunction with the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants, with the selections with significant agronomic characteristics recognized and named cultivars. In accordance with the international convention promoted by the UPOV, of which Brazil is a signatory, several colors (light yellow, yellow, orange yellow, pink red, red, red purple, green purple, purple, and dark purple) can be recognized in order to adequately characterize passion fruit cultivars within the species P. edulis. At taxonomic level, Passiflora edulis Sims must be used for any plant and color of sour passion fruits, in combination with a cultivar name for the selected materials.