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This paper argues for the importance of a passive form of embodiment for educational purposes to capture tacit environmental influences. G. Buck's account of learning as experience is put in discussion with psychological approaches to reveal the limitation of what psychology can achieve, especially when it comes to situated experiences within educational environments. As a solution to overcome this problem a concept of passive embodiment is developed that allows for a body that is receptive to multisensory environmental influences. Böhme's concept of atmospheres in relation to Schmitz' New Phenomenology provide a theoretical framework to understand how these situated experiences are evoked by certain situations. This allows for a new understanding of passive, embodied experiences within educational environments by incorporating the tacit influences of the setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic management applications including congestion detection and tracking rely on traffic from multiple sources to model the traffic conditions. The sources are either stationary sensors which include inductive loop detectors (ILD), radar stations and Bluetooth/WiFi/BLE sensors or Floating Car Data (FCD) from moving vehicles which transmit their locations and speeds. The different sources have their inherent strengths and weaknesses but when used together, they have the potential to provide traffic information with increased robustness. Multi-sensor data fusion has the potential to enhance the estimation of traffic state in real-time by reducing the uncertainty of individual sources, extending the temporal and spatial coverage and increasing the confidence of data inputs. In this study, we fuse data from different FCD providers to improve travel time and average segment speeds estimation. We use data from INRIX, HERE and TomTom FCD commercial services and fuse the speeds based on their confidence values and granularity on virtual sub-segments of 250 m. Speeds differences between each pair of datasets are evaluated by calculating the absolute mean and standard deviation of differences. The evaluation of systematic differences is also performed for peak periods depending on the day of the week. INRIX FCD speeds are compared with ground truth spot speeds where both datasets are measured at a 1-minute interval which show good agreement with an error rate of between 8–20%. Some issues that affect FCD accuracy which include data availability and reliability problems are identified and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea to utilise cognitive neuroscientific research for educational purposes is known as Mind-Brain Education or Educational Neuroscience. Despite some calls for an uncritical endorsement of such an agenda, a growing number of educational scholars argue that it must remain impossible to translate neurological descriptions into mental or educationally relevant descriptions. This paper takes these well-established arguments further by not only focusing upon these different levels of description but going beyond this issue to assess the theoretical foundations of cognitive science as a functional theory of the mind. With relevance to education it is argued that because of its functional character a cognitive-psychological approach to education suffers from an inherent blind spot regarding the actor's feelings and motivations. The paper concludes with the claim that, because of this experiential poverty, any cognitive neuroscientific approach must face severe limitations when utilised for educational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical foaming usually requires special metering equipment to inject the blowing agent at high pressures. In this study, low density polyethylene (LDPE) was foamed in the extrusion process using dry ice as physical blowing agent. The blowing agent was metered in form of pellets over the hopper. To determine relevant process parameters and improve the understanding of the process a melting model is applied. The influence of the formation of a melt film and melt pool on the dissolution of the blowing agent is discussed. The theoretical considerations are validated in a design of experiment study. As a result, the efficiency of the process is especially affected by the throughput rate, granules temperature, and blowing agent concentration. Further varied parameters are the barrel temperature in the melting zone and diameter of the dry ice pellets. Fast melting and pressure build-up were shown to reduce blowing agent losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In the randomized trial AML-BFM 93 we compared 60 mg/m2/day daunorubicin with 12 mg/m2/day idarubicin for 3 days each, combined with cytarabine and etoposide during induction. Results showed a significant better blast cell reduction in the bone marrow on day 15 in patients of the idarubicin arm (25 of 144 = 17% of patients with > or = 5% blasts compared to 46 of 149 = 31% of patients after daunorubicin, Pchi2 = 0.01). This was, however, mainly seen in high risk patients treated with idarubicin (19% vs 38%, Pchi2 = 0.007). Cardiotoxicity, WHO grade 1-3 shortening fraction reduction after induction occurred in 6% patients in both arms. Bone marrow toxicity differed slightly with a median recovery time of neutrophils >500/microl of 25 days (daunorubicin) compared to 27 days (idarubicin), P = 0.05. In the total group of patients probabilities of 5 years event-free survival and disease-free survival were similar for patients treated with daunorubicin or idarubicin (49% +/- 4% vs 55% +/- 4% and 57% +/- 4% vs 64% +/- 4%, P logrank 0.29 and 0.15, respectively). However, in patients presenting with more than 5% blasts on day 15 there was a trend for a better outcome after treatment with idarubicin (P logrank 0.06). Together with the early effect seen for high risk patients these results indicate a better efficacy of idarubicin than of daunorubicin during induction with a similar rate of toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among a series of 224 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) admitted over a period of three years, 52 patients were prospectively treated with intrathecal tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA). All of these patients were admitted and operated on within 72 h after SAH. SAH was confirmed by CT scan and the volume of blood accumulated in the basal cisterns was graded according to Fisher's scale. All patients had a SAH according to Fisher's grade III, as a prerequisite for inclusion into the study. In 21 patients additional intraventricular bleeding was detectable on CT scan. The diagnosis of a single intracerebral aneurysm as the bleeding source was established by pan-angiography, which also excluded additional cerebro-vascular malformations. The control group consisted of 68 patients, which were also treated within 72 h after SAH. Age and sex distribution as well as the clinical patterns were comparable to the rTPA group. In all patients the aneurysm was clipped using standard microsurgical techniques. After the aneurysm had been excluded from the parent vessel, 10 mg of rTPA, dissolved in 10 ml of its solution fluid, were slowly instilled into the basal cisterns in the treatment group. In patients with additional severe intraventricular bleeding, 5-10 mg of rTPA were injected into the ventricles via an intraventricular catheter at the end of the operation. Apart from the intrathecal application of the thrombolytic substance, the surgical protocol was identical in the patients of the control group. During the postoperative period, the patients in both groups were examined neurologically and by transcranial Doppler on a daily basis. CT scans were performed on days 1, 2, 5, 10 postoperatively and immediately prior to discharge. Final clinical grading for this study was performed three months after surgery and the patients were graded according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale. The occurrence of clinical signs of delayed ischaemic deficits (DID), attributable to the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm, was the only defined endpoint of the study. Radical blood clot removal, verfied by serial CT scans was achieved in all patients treated using the intrathecal thrombolytic agent. Overall results in the rTPA group at three months postsurgery were as follows: 39 patients (75%) were in grade I, 7 in grade II (13.5%), and 6 patients (11.5%) were in grade III GOS. Delayed ischaemic deficits, attributable to the occurrence of vasospasm were apparent in 4 patients (8%), in whom clinical symptoms were moderate in two patients and severe in another two. Three patients responded well to moderate hypertensive-hypervolaemic treatment resulting in an increase of their systolic arterial pressure up to 160 mm Hg. In none of these three patients cerebral infarction and/or permanent neurological deficits developed. In one patient with spasmogenic infarction of the middle cerebral artery territory in complete hemiparesis persisted. The overall results in the control group were as follows: 44 patients (64%) were in grade I GOS postoperatively, 6 in grade II (9%), 14 in grade III (21%), 1 in grade IV (1.5%), and three patients (4%) had died. DID attributable to the development of vasospasm developed in 16 patients (23.5%). DID were transient in 9 patients (13%) resolving completely after induction of hypertensive and hypervolaemic therapy. In four patients (6%) neurological deficits persisted despite vigorous treatment, and 3 patients (4%) died from spasmogenic cerebral infarction. From the results of this first prospective study of a single bolus injection of rTPA in patients with aneurysm rupture, it is concluded, that intrathecal thrombolysis is an effective and safe method for removal of intracisternal blood accumulations after SAH resulting in a significant reduction of symptomatic vasospasm and DID. With regard to the radicality of blood clot removal achievable by the use of rTPA it is furthermore concluded, that conversion of a SAH according to Fisher grade III into a SAH of Fisher grade II is sufficient for significant reduction of the incidence of posthaemorrhagic DID, avoiding the necessity of complete pharmacological blood clot evacuation and the use of higher concentrations of rTPA or continuous irrigation of the subarachnoid space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case of an 8-year-old boy with apparently homozygous Bernard-Soulier syndrome (platelet GP Ib/IX complex deficiency) and a transient idiopathic autoantibody against GP Ib/IX is described. He had been diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia (due to the detection of antiplatelet autoantibodies) before Bernard-Soulier syndrome was proven. Both parents and his brother displayed intermediate deficiency of GP Ib/IX, thus indicating a heterozygote state for Bernard-Soulier syndrome. Alloimmunization as an explanation for the appearance of GP Ib/IX antiplatelet antibodies in the propositus can be excluded. A so-called pseudo Bernard-Soulier syndrome due to selective antibodies was also excluded. Flow cytometric analysis revealed residual expression of 2% GP Ib and 13% GP IX on the propositus' platelets. It seems that the propositus showed an idiopathic autoantibody against a platelet glycoprotein in which he is genetically deficient (but which is not completely lacking). Thus, in patients with untypical behavior upon therapy of "autoimmune thrombocytopenia", other differential diagnoses should also be considered even if antiplatelet antibodies are detected. In addition, all family members displayed elevated concentrations of antiphospholipid antibodies. These findings raise the question of a genetic predisposition for the development of autoantibodies. Moreover, an F. XII deficiency was found in all family members except the mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The case of an 11-year-old girl with mediastinal stage III B-E Hodgkin's disease is described. She achieved complete remission with combined chemoradiotherapy according to the Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group-HD Protocol 1985. Six months after all therapy was stopped, a slowly growing retrosternal mass was detected. Computed tomography (CT) and gallium-67 single-photon emission CT (SPECT) could not elucidate the true origin of the tumor, nor did ultrasound-guided transthoracic fine-needle puncture. Open biopsy with histologic examination of the lesion has successfully identified the mass as thymic hyperplasia, a rebound immunologic reaction after chemoradiotherapy that mimicked tumor regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the consumer protection by means of self-regulation in Switzerland. Consideration of self-regulation as a proposed alternative to consumer legislation; Difficulties in the application of the regulation; Impact of the regulation on legislation and court practices.

We report on 146 patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage treated in the period between 1984 and 1988. The aim of this retrospective study was to point out factors for operative respectively conservative treatment. Looking for etiology, age, unconsciousness, localization and extension of hematoma as well as bleeding into the ventricles our results showed that patients over 70 years of age and/or in coma III and IV (Brussels Coma Scale) have a bad prognosis as well as patients with intraventricular bleeding. Patients seem to benefit from operation if hematoma is located in the hemisphere or cerebellar and the extension ranges from 3 to 5 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to better define patients who might benefit from cerebral revascularization surgery, transcranial Doppler sonography was used in more than 480 patients. Thus invasive diagnostic studies could be limited to probable surgical candidates. Transcranial Doppler sonography has proven to be reliable for the study of the degree of efficacy of intracranial collateral pathways in hemodynamic borderline situations. Over the last 4 years, the application of the algorythm presented in this paper resulted in a reduction of the number of candidates for surgical revascularization to 19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexpected subarachnoid hemorrhage with a fatal outcome was seen in two patients in intensive care in association with trauma and an intracranial inflammatory abscess. The cause of SAH was disclosed at autopsy: traumatic and bacterial aneurysms of the basilar artery respectively. In the reported cases the symptoms of SAH did not suggest an origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term use of totally implantable central venous catheters has led to new problems of infection. The formation of bacterial biofilms appears to be an important factor in the development of infection as well as occlusion of the devices. In each of 18 children the entire catheter system was examined prospectively after removal. A biofilm was seen on the inner surface of every catheter. In 10 cases bacteria could be cultured. The predominant species were coagulase-negative staphylococci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a patient with congenital afibrinogenemia who showed elevated prothrombin activation fragments (F) indicating increased thrombin formation. This finding was unexpected since it has hitherto been thought that patients with congenital hypo- or afibrinogenemia have no evidence of increased utilization or accelerated consumption of coagulation factors. No other possible reasons for the elevation of F were found. Upon fibrinogen substitution F decreased and were again increasing when fibrinogen concentration in plasma fell to very low levels. These findings raise the question of whether increased thrombin formation should be understood as a compensatory mechanism in congenital afibrinogenemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the systemic lupus erythematosus in Staphylococcus aureus hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome. Clinical features of the patient with defective host defence mechanisms; Pathogenesis of the disease; Treatment of the disorder.

The relative ease of isolating aptamers with high specificity for target molecules suggests that molecular recognition may be common in the folds of natural RNAs. We show here that, when expressed in cells, aptamers can increase the intracellular concentrations of their small molecule ligands. We have named these aptamers as DRAGINs (Drug Binding Aptamers for Growing Intracellular Numbers). The DRAGIN property, assessed here by the ability to enhance the toxicity of their ligands, was found for some, but not all, aminoglycoside aptamers. One aptamer protected cells against killing by its ligand. Another aptamer promoted killing as a singlemer and protected against killing as a tandemer. Based on a mathematical model, cell protection vs. killing is proposed as governed by aptamer affinity and access to the inner surface of the cell membrane, with the latter being a critical determinant. With RNA molecules proposed as the earliest functional polymers to drive the evolution of life, we suggest that RNA aptamer-like structures present in primitive cells might have selectively concentrated precursors for polymer synthesis. Riboswitches may be the evolved forms of these ancient aptamer-like “nutrient procurers”. Aptamers with DRAGIN capability in the modern world could be applied for imaging cells, in synthetic cell constructs, or to draw drugs into cells to make “undruggable” targets accessible to small molecule inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]