Stochastic model of self-regulation decision making exemplified by decisions concerning hypoglycemia.

The following sequence—internal condition → symptom perception → appraisal → decision—models various symptom-based self-regulation processes. A formal mathematical model describes the first three steps by continuous variables and the decisions at the fourth step by binary variables. The stochastic transitions between the sequential steps are quantified by transition probabilities. The model is illustrated by blood glucose level estimation and detection and treatment of hypoglycemia in 78 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These patients made 50 to 70 data collection trials over 3 to 4 weeks recording perceived symptoms, cognitive-motor performance, subjective estimates of blood glucose, decisions about treatment of hypoglycemia, and driving. A statistical estimation of the model's parameters demonstrates the utility of this approach for understanding the awareness, detection, and treatment of hypoglycemia as a process of symptom-based decision making. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of risk for severe hypoglycemia among adults with IDDM: validation of the low blood glucose index

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical/research utility of the low blood glucose index (LBGI), a measure of the risk of severe hypoglycemia (SH), based on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 96 adults with IDDM (mean age 35+/-8 years, duration of diabetes 16+/-10 years, HbA1 8.6+/-1.8%), 43 of whom had a recent history of SH (53 did not), who used memory meters for 135+/-53 SMBG readings over a month, and then for the next 6 months recorded occurrence of SH. The SMBG data were mathematically transformed, and an LBGI was computed for each patient. RESULTS: The two patient groups did not differ with respect to HbA1, insulin units per day, average blood glucose (BG) and BG variability. Patients with history of SH demonstrated a higher LBGI (P < 0.0005) and a trend to be older with longer diabetes duration. Analysis of odds for future SH classified patients into low- (LBGI <2.5), moderate- (LBGI 2.5-5), and high- (LBGI >5) risk groups. Over the following 6 months low-, moderate-, and high-risk patients reported 0.4, 2.3, and 5.2 SH episodes, respectively (P = 0.001). The frequency of future SH was predicted by the LBGI and history of SH (R2 = 40%), while HbA1, age, duration of diabetes, and BG variability were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: LBGI provides an accurate assessment of risk of SH. In the traditional relationship history of SH-to-future SH, LBGI may be the missing link that reflects present risk. Because it is based on SMBG records automatically stored by many reflectance meters, the LBGI is an effective and clinically useful on-line indicator for SH risk.     

Efficiency of a cryogenic cascade series of heat pumps

The theoretical number n of stages and efficiency K of a cascade cycle of heat pumps is determined. The variation of π — the ratio of final pressure in the cycle — with n is obtained for a theoretical helium cryogenic cascade of heat pumps; the relationship derived shows that if π is increased beyond 5–6 in practice this does not diminish the number of stages required but leads to a lower value of K. A comparison is made between the efficiency of a theoretical cascade of heat pumps and a similar cascade closer to those used in practice.     

Über die Aufkohlungskinetik von Eisen-Zink-Legierungen

Untersuchung der Aufkohlungskinetik von zwischen 870 und 1107 °C ferritischen und austenitischen Eisen-Zink-Legierungen. Mikrohärtemessungen und Untersuchungen der Kohlenstoffverteilung innerhalb der Aufkohlungsschicht mit der Röntgenmikrosonde. Ermittlung der Wachstumskinetik der Schicht und Erörterung der Ergebnisse im Zusammenhang mit der Diffusion des Kohlenstoffs in den Legierungen.     

A telecommunication monitoring system for clinical and research practice.

The telephone has been used in clinical and research practice for many years. A telecommunication monitoring system (TMS) provides an automated way to track patients' and participants' symptoms, compliance, and progress as they participate in therapy and research. Data demonstrating the usefulness, strong reliability and validity, and convincing sensitivity and specificity of a TMS are provided. Future applications of this type of technology are discussed, including the ability to integrate a system with the Internet to create a more comprehensive approach to monitoring patients in therapy and participants in research studies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Diffractive,refractive optics or anything more? Comparative analysis and trends of development

Abstract

The development of diffractive and refractive optics from ancient times (2000 years ago) to the present is traced from a theoretical and practical point of view. A comparative analysis of the possibilities of the two fields in optics is presented. The possibility for achromatization and corrections that exceed the boundary of diffractive and refractive optical elements is pointed out.     

An Internet intervention as adjunctive therapy for pediatric encopresis.

This study evaluated the benefits of enhanced toilet training delivered through the Internet for children with encopresis. Twenty-four children with encopresis were randomly assigned to the Internet intervention group (Web) or no Internet intervention group (No-Web). All participants continued to receive routine care from their primary care physician. The Web participants demonstrated greater improvements in terms of reduced fecal soiling, increased defecation in the toilet, and increased unprompted trips to the toilet (ps     

Heat transfer in boiling neon in vertical capillaries

Values for the burnout heat flux and critical temperature difference are measured in boiling neon on the internal surface area of vertical capillaries. A hysteresis is observed as power increases and decreases, which becomes weaker after several increases of power up to the critical heat flux point. The characteristics of the dependences obtained are discussed.     

Anorectal manometric examination in encopretic-constipated children

PURPOSE: We have investigated the use of anorectal manometry to distinguish encopretic-constipated children (n = 88) from sibling controls (n = 16) and nonsibling controls (n = 11). METHODS: Study variables included manometrically determined resting and maximum voluntary anal sphincter pressure, depth and speed of rectoanal inhibitory reflex, minimum rectal volume sensation, critical distending volume for fecal urgency, rectal and anal pressure responses during attempted defecation, and ability to defecate a water-filled balloon. RESULTS: Change in anal sphincter pressure during attempted defecation (P = 0.03), gradient between rectal and sphincter pressure during attempted defecation (P = 0.02), critical distending volume for fecal urgency (P = 0.02), and ability to defecate a water-filled balloon (P = 0.05) distinguished encopretic-constipated from control children. The change in rectal pressure associated with the rectoanal inhibitory reflex just escaped significance at P = 0.07. CONCLUSIONS: Anal sphincter spasm and megacolon are pathophysiologic abnormalities associated with pediatric constipation-encopresis.