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The contamination technique is applied to postoptimality anal ysis and analysis of the robustness of the optimal value of a scenario based bond portfolio management model with respect to inclusion of additional “out-of-sample” scenarios. Using results based on the initial selection of sce narios and those based on the alternative out-of-sample scenarios it provides bounds for the optimal value based on the pooled sample of scenarios of these groups. The presented numerical results are based on data from the Italian bond market.

The study was designed to evaluate short and long-term benefits of coronary artery bypass graft in patients with coronary artery disease and severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and to identify contemporary risk factors associated with significantly greater mortality in this high-risk subgroup.From 1985 to 1995, 200 consecutive pts with EFor = 0.30 underwent CABG. Among these patients, 60% were older than 70 years. NYHA functional class III/IV was present in 31% of pts. Preoperative mean cardiac index was 2.7 +/- 7 l/min/m2, mean pulmonary artery pressure was 29.9 +/- 7 mm Hg and contractility score (generated by appropriate software for left ventricular kinesis analysis) mean value was 50.1 +/- 11.6 points. Urgent operation was required in 32 pts (16%). The majority of pts were completely revascularized.Operative mortality was 9% (18 pts). Low output syndrome was the most common postoperative complication (13.5%) followed by ventricular arrhythmia (8%), mean length of postoperative hospitalization for survivors was 13 +/- 10 days. Of 23 possible operative risk factors evaluated, four were associated with significantly greater mortality: cardiac indexor = 2.1 l/min/m2, urgent operation, contractility scoreor = 80 and associated surgical procedures. Survivors experienced significant improvement in CHF class (p0.001) and follow up EF (p0.001). Kaplan-Meier estimate of survival at 1 year, 5 years and 8 years was 85%, 65% and 54%.Through more careful assessment of preoperative risk factors, patients selection and perioperative management, actually coronary artery bypass graft may be offered to pts with low ejection fraction with reduced morbidity and mortality.

We studied the long-term results of a technique of mitral annuloplasty using autologous pericardium.Between June 1989 and December 1994, 113 mitral valvuloplasties were performed for myxomatous degenerative disease. Repair of isolated anterior leaflet prolapse was performed in 26 patients (23%), posterior leaflet prolapse in 38 (33.6%), and prolapse of both leaflets in 49 (43.4%). Posterior pericardial annuloplasty was performed in all patients. In 20 patients, the pericardial graft was marked with metal clips for postoperative cinefluoroscopic assessment of annulus motion.The operative mortality rate was 2.7% (3/113). One patient died of myocardial infarction and 2 of low cardiac output syndrome. One patient required replacement of the mitral valve 2 days after operation because of dehiscence of the annular plication. Follow-up (average length, 32.41 +/- 20.09 months; range 1 to 71 months) was 97% complete and revealed good clinical and functional results: 95 patients (84.1%) were in New York Heart Association class I and had no regurgitation or only mild residual regurgitation. Postoperative transmitral flow indices were almost normal (mitral valve area = 3.7 +/- 0.4 cm2; peak flow velocity = 1.06 +/- 0.2 m/s). Only 3 patients had reoperation within 3 years (actuarial 5-year reoperation-free rate, 89.7%) and event-free survival at 5 years was 91%. In patients with metal clips marking autologous pericardium, planimetry of the area derived by fluoroscopic examination showed systolic narrowing of annulus size (8.5% +/- 6.4%; p0.01) and a slight systolic fall in the anteroposterior diameter of the annulus contour (5.9% +/- 3.8%; p0.01).Posterior pericardial annuloplasty seems to be a safe, effective and easily performed technique and a more physiologic correction that preserves mitral annulus motion.

Since September 1985 to June 1994, 252 patients (70 years and older) underwent coronary artery bypass grafting isolated or combined with other surgical procedures. Mean age was 73 +/- 4.3 years (range: 70-84). Associated non-cardiac diseases were present in 131 patients (52%). Concomitant surgical procedures were performed in 34 patients (13.5%). Myocardial revascularization was accomplished under emergency conditions in 18.1% of patients. Overall operative mortality was 5.5% (n = 14). Isolated coronary artery bypass grafting operative mortality was 3.9% (n = 10). In-hospital death rate was higher (11.7%; n = 4) for coronary artery bypass grafting associated with other procedures. During the same period, the overall mortality rate for patients younger than 70 years was 3.4% (p = NS). The 30-days in-hospital mortality was significantly higher for emergency procedures (8.7%) than for elective surgery (4.9%) (p = 0.01). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified concomitant diseases as independently significant risk factor. Morbidity was 36.1% (n = 91). Mean intensive care unit stay was 2.8 +/- 2.2 days vs 2.1 +/- 1.2 days for patients70 years (p = 0.01). Total charges per case for surgical treatment were 15% higher for elderly patients. Follow up ranged from 1 to 108 months, averaging 32 months. Long-term survival was 92%, 78% and 58% at 1, 5 and 10 years from operation. With current techniques, cardiac surgery is performed in the elderly with acceptable mortality and morbidity and with slightly increased average costs.

This work introduces a technological integration applied to the telecommunications equipments of the given case study at the University of Bergamo in Italy, where research is being developed on the existing technological instruments and on their costs. By creating the operational logistics for these instruments, it was compared with the latest technological products and changes were proposed with regard to the devices or in the way they are being used, in order to guarantee a significant cost reduction for the university. This work also introduces a model for the evaluation of more general cases for medium and large companies. Starting from market data an algorithm is proposed to evaluate the best product marketing and technological services to choose.

Porträt des Oberrichters und Zürcher Politikers Johann Jakob Hess (1791-1857), gemalt von Mariggia, Titelangaben gemäss Vermerk mit Feder in Schwarz auf Etikett auf dem Keilrahmen

Table S3. Odds of invasive bacterial infection with years of drug use, cessation, and reduced intensity injection. (DOCX 15 kb)

BACKGROUND Switzerland recommends individuals who originate from high-prevalence countries to be screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, not all these persons are equally at risk. We thus aimed to describe the number and characteristics of persons with HCV infection born outside of Switzerland. METHODS We compared characteristics of anti-HCV-positive individuals in the Swiss Hepatitis C Cohort Study (SCCS) and of HCV cases reported to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), with those of the general population in Switzerland. Persons who inject drugs (PWID) and persons who do not inject drugs (non-PWID) were compared by age groups for different countries of origin (represented by ≥1% of participants in the SCCS or FOPH). RESULTS We included 4,199 persons from the SCCS and 26,610 cases from the FOPH. Both groups had similar characteristics. In both data sources non-PWID were more frequent in foreign-born than in Swiss-born persons (63% versus 34% in the SCCS). The only subgroup with a clearly higher proportion both in the SCCS and FOPH than in the general population were persons over 60 years from Italy and Spain, with a 3.7- and 2.8-fold increase in the SCCS. These persons were non-PWID (99%), less frequently HIV- and anti-HBc positive and more often female than PWID from Italy and Spain; cirrhosis at enrolment was frequent (31%). Their HCV genotypes were consistent with those observed in elderly non-PWID of their birth countries. In the FOPH a higher proportion than in the general population was also seen for cases from Georgia and Russia. CONCLUSION The identification of subgroups in which HCV infection is particularly frequent might allow for better targeting HCV screening among foreign-born persons in Switzerland and elsewhere.

Table S1. Episodes of bacterial infection in the 3- and 6-month period following injection status change in ALIVE. (DOCX 37 kb)

The following sections are included:IntroductionThe CRAsThe role of CRAsCredit ratingsTaxonomy of ratingRegulation of CRAsConflicts of interestThe Importance of CompetitionRating MethodologiesGeneral principles of the rating processInput factors for the rating processGrading process for the rating agenciesRating announcementGlossaryReferences

La biologie est une science très large recouvrant tous les aspects du vivant ; elle s'intéresse aussi bien aux échelons moléculaires de la vie, inaccessibles à l'œil humain, qu'à ses formes les plus complexes. Afin de faciliter la compréhension des élèves, l’enseignement de la biologie utilise depuis longtemps des représentations de la réalité, sous forme de dessin. Ceux-ci font maintenant souvent place aux images de synthèse ou aux photographies microscopiques, lorsque cela s’avère possible grâce à l’avancée considérable des moyens technologiques de la recherche moderne. Par ailleurs, le vivant n'est que rarement statique, beaucoup de processus sont dynamiques. À l’échelle moléculaire ou cellulaire, ces mécanismes ne sont pas visibles à l’œil nu, il faut donc utiliser des schématisations de la réalité. La difficulté dans l’enseignement de la biologie est double dès lors qu’il s’agit de mettre simultanément en évidence l’aspect microscopique de nombreux acteurs du vivant et le dynamisme de leurs interactions. L'évolution des technologies de représentation et l'émergence des animations d’images virtuelles se révèlent être d'une grande utilité dans un contexte enseignant en biologie. En effet, celles-ci permettent une visualisation dynamique d'un phénomène, aspect souvent difficile à reproduire au travers de simples images figées. Par contre, les questions du bénéfice et de l’efficacité de l'utilisation des animations dans l’apprentissage font l’objet de discussions entre chercheurs et leurs résultats entrent parfois en contradiction. Plusieurs paramètres semblent influencer leur efficacité, comme le contenu visuel de l’animation, la vitesse de défilement, les commentaires intégrés, leur caractère éphémère ou encore la mise en activité des élèves. Ce travail se penche sur l’utilisation actuelle des animations par les professeurs de biologie au gymnase en analysant leur discours et leur pratique. Pour terminer, nous proposons et nous analysons une séquence didactique que nous avons construite et menée en tenant compte des paramètres d’efficacité mis en évidence par la recherche., Mémoire professionnel, Diplôme d'enseignement pour le degré secondaire II

Table S2. Multivariable relative bacterial infections among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) stratified by different intensities of drug uses and types of infections. (DOCX 12 kb)

Table S1. Episodes of bacterial infection in the 3- and 6-month period following injection status change in ALIVE. (DOCX 37 kb)

Table S3. Odds of invasive bacterial infection with years of drug use, cessation, and reduced intensity injection. (DOCX 15 kb)