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There are many different approaches to product optimization, each with its own strengths and limitations. To address some of these limitations, a unique, consumer-driven approach was developed to rapidly navigate a path through a qualitative product space (QPS) to reach the product that best meets the product sensory criteria, rather than having to evaluate all products in the design and build models to determine the optimum as in classic design of experiments. During this rapid product navigation (RPN) process, consumers participate in a unique form of qualitative discussion groups, during which prototypes are evaluated and discussed in-depth, with the group’s response to each prototype determining the next prototype to be presented. This adaptive, stimulus–response process is a listening and learning approach rather than a modeling approach and provides a deeper understanding of not only what the best product is, but also why it is the best. Due to the strong partnership required between the product researcher and product development, the business also gains a deeper understanding of consumer language and key design elements, which then feeds back into future product development projects. It is also possible to identify potential consumer segments that may not be obvious from traditional sensory evaluation and ensure that the resulting product design meets the product sensory requirements for the intended audience. This approach to developing the optimal product has demonstrated multiple successes, cutting product development time from 18–24 months to less than 6 months.

Summary Objectives To assess the correlation and agreement between measurements of P O 2 , P CO 2 , H + and HCO 3 − in arterial and capillary blood in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. To assess the repeatability of capillary measurements. Design Method comparison study. Setting Accident and emergency department in a university teaching hospital. Main outcome measures Measurements of P O 2 , P CO 2 , H + and HCO 3 − in one arterial and two capillary samples taken from consecutive patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Results The agreement between measurements of P CO 2 , H + and HCO 3 − in arterial and capillary blood was good with mean differences of 0.087kPa, 1.044nmol/l and 0.513mmol/l, respectively. The corresponding 95% limits of agreement were narrow. The agreement between measurements of P O 2 was poor with a mean difference of 1.256kPa and wide 95% limits of agreement. There was good repeatability between capillary samples with mean differences of 0.094kPa, 0.674nmol/l and 0.028mmol/l for measurements of P CO 2 , H + and HCO 3 respectively and narrow coefficients of repeatability. Conclusions Capillary blood gas measurements provide an accurate assessment of P CO 2 , H + and HCO 3 − and can be used to reliably measure the ventilatory status of patients. Combined with continuous pulse oximetry they can be used as an alternative to arterial blood gas measurements in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.

The Canadian hospitality market is underdeveloped and less overbuilt compared to its US counterpart and the combination of a growing economy, increased tourism, business spending and government initiatives presents impressive hotel development opportunities. This paper will examine why this is good news for hoteliers and the hospitality industry and why it is time for hotel investors to take a good hard look at Canada.

A Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase CFD model is employed for the air/water flow. A 3D structure grid is used to incorporate the air nozzle and tank geometry. The fixed frictionless wall boundary approximating the free surface acts as a sink to allow the air bubbles to escape. The air/water volume fraction in the flotation tank is evaluated to determine the effective air/water fluid density. The floc particle is then introduced and is tracked in the air/water fluid using a disperse Lagrangean model. Fate of these flocs depends on their sizes and density. Flocs therefore can either escape through the top water surface, settles in the main tank or breakthrough under the outlet weir. The CFD model is developed for a full scale DAF tank to predict the flow dynamic, particle removal and settled solid profile. The general flow pattern is compared with flow visualisation using the underwater camera. Comparison of average fluid velocities is carried out using acoustic Doppler velocimetry ADV measurement.

A new reader is presented that is based on a narrowband pulsed excitation of two SAW resonators contained in a differential wireless resonant sensor such as a torque senor. Simultaneous excitation of the resonators working at 433–437 MHz allows achieving a flat system frequency response up to Nyquist frequency. An interrogation algorithm and a structure of the reader ensure a torque sampling rate of at least 16 kHz and the system bandwidth of at least 8 kHz achievable at the processor clock of 150 MHz. Systematic errors caused by mutual interference of the two SAW responses, intermodulation products and aliasing are discussed. Random errors caused by the phase noise of the local oscillators are analyzed theoretically. Experimental results are also presented.

Postural abnormalities associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have been elegantly illustrated by Purdon-Martin [11]. While tremor, rigidity, and brady-kinesia can be readily evaluated by the trained clinician, even semiquantitative assessments of the postural deficits associated with this disorder have proven more challenging. The appearance of postural instability is an important marker for progression in PD and symptoms associated with postural deficits are significant targets for pharmacological intervention. The development of appropriate quantitative measures to evaluate posture has thus become an important issue.

To the Editor. —We were particularly interested to read the recent report, published in theArchives, of a study on certain aspects of autonomic functions in five patients with myotonic dystrophy. 1 Patients with myotonic dystrophy frequently have symptoms and signs suggestive of autonomic dysfunction, and some of these may be so conspicuous that they lead to a fatal outcome. Such symptoms include hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperhydrosis, bladder disturbances, gastrointestinal and sexual dysfunction, ventilatory disturbances, and weight loss. 2,3 A lesion in central and/or peripheral autonomic pathways might account for these symptoms. Alternatively, many of these symptoms could relate to a primary degenerative process affecting smooth as well as skeletal muscles. 3 In either case, we had felt previously that it would be of interest to study vasomotor reflex activity in patients with myotonic dystrophy, and in view of the recent report, 1 our findings may be of interest.