Development of an activity index for adult eosinophilic esophagitis: international experts propose dysphagia, withish exudates on endoscopy and peripheral eosinophilia as items with closest association to EoE activity

Background and Aims: Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is reported with increasing frequency over the last two decades. However, it is still unknown whether this reflects a true increase in incidence or just an increased awareness by gastroenterologists. Therefore, we evaluated the incidence and cumulative prevalence of EoE in Olten county over the last 20 years. Methods: Olten county is an area of approximately 91,000 inhabitants without pronounced demographic changes in the last two decades. EoE evaluation is based upon two gastroenterology centers and one pathology center. No public programs for increased EoE awareness were implemented in this region. All EoE patients diagnosed from 1989 to 2009 were entered prospectively into the Olten county database. Results: Fourty-six patients (76% males, mean age 41±16 yrs) were diagnosed with EoE from 1989 to 2009. Ninety-four percent presented with dysphagia. In 70% of the patients concomitant allergies were found. The number of upper endoscopies per year was stable during the entire observation period. An average annual incidence rate of 2/100,000 was found (range 0-8) with a marked increase in the period from 2001 to 2009. A current cumulative EoE prevalence of 43/100,000 inhabitants was calculated. The mean diagnostic delay (time from first symptoms to diagnosis) was 4.3 years from 1989 to 1998 and 4.8 years from 1999 to 2009. Conclusions: Over the last 20 years, a significant increase in EoE incidence was found in a stable indicator region of Switzerland. The constant rate of upper endoscopies, the constant diagnostic delay, as well as the lack of EoE awareness programs in Olten county indicate a true increase in EoE incidence.

Classification and inventory management of abnormal demand items

The main objective of the study is to form a framework that provides tools to recognise and classify items whose demand is not smooth but varies highly on size and/or frequency. The framework will then be combined with two other classification methods in order to form a three-dimensional classification model. Forecasting and inventory control of these abnormal demand items is difficult. Therefore another object of this study is to find out which statistical forecasting method is most suitable for forecasting of abnormal demand items. The accuracy of different methods is measured by comparing the forecast to the actual demand. Moreover, the study also aims at finding proper alternatives to the inventory control of abnormal demand items. The study is quantitative and the methodology is a case study. The research methods consist of theory, numerical data, current state analysis and testing of the framework in case company. The results of the study show that the framework makes it possible to recognise and classify the abnormal demand items. It is also noticed that the inventory performance of abnormal demand items differs significantly from the performance of smoothly demanded items. This makes the recognition of abnormal demand items very important.

Information and appearance - design creating value for wearable technology items in B2C markets

The objective of the thesis is to study the role of design in adding value for wearable technology (WT) items in B2C markets by applying previous value creation literature to the subject. The thesis investigates value creation through types of value perceived by the customer being functional/instrumental, experiential/hedonic, symbolic/expressive and cost/sacrifice. The data was collected in face-to-face interviews with both consumers and industry experts. The results suggest that value perceived by both experts and consumers in every end-user category was elementarily functional, however, design was considered to bring most added value to WT in the categories of health and medicine, infotainment, and fashion. Also, WT ought to have same characteristics as regular clothing in order to attract mass markets. The results of the study suggest that companies should invest in design in order to gain long-term user engagement.

Two Lists Willed Items

Two lists (4 pages, handwritten) listing items which were willed to Carrie, Willie, Belle, Phil, Aurora and Samuel [it is not clear who has made up these lists], n.d.

Receipt for List of Items bought by William Woodruff

Receipt for a list of items bought by William Woodruff at the sheriff’s sale. The list includes a number of household items such as: tables, chairs and beds. The receipt is signed by J.J. Kirby, April 21, 1858.

Receipt For Items Bought from R. Woodruff by Mr. G.C. Bradt

Receipt for items bought from R. Woodruff, dealer in staple and fancy dry good, groceries and dye stuffs by Mr. G.C. Bradt, Nov. 19, 1864.

Receipt for items bought from R. Woodruff by Mr. George C. Bradt

Receipt for items bought from R. Woodruff by Mr. George C. Bradt, n.d.

List of Items Paid for By J. Roach

Lists of items (2 pages, handwritten) which were bought and paid for by J. Roach and on the second page, a list of names with prices listed beside them, 1887-1890.

Receipt for items shipped by Gardner and Clark

Receipt for items shipped by Gardner and Clark for lake freight which was received in St. Catharines on July 18, 1876. This is signed by John Cassidy, July 10, 1876.

Receipt for items and labour from R.S. [Ker?]

Receipt for items and labour from R.S. [Ker?]. This is accompanied by a page of calculations, July 29, 1876.

List of prices for items such as furniture, curtains, pictures, carpets and glassware

List of prices (2 pages, handwritten) for items such as furniture, curtains, pictures, carpets and glassware. This is embossed with the Welland Canal stamp, Dec. 1855.

List of grocery items from J.A. Woodruff to R. Bruce with prices

List of grocery items from J.A. Woodruff to R. Bruce with prices, 1866.

List of produce items and prices

List of produce items and prices, n.d.

List of produce items and prices

List of produce items and prices, 1869.

Receipt from John R. Monro, St. Catharines for payment on household items

Receipt from John R. Monro, St. Catharines for payment on household items of crockery and china, March 1, 1887.