RESUMEN
The nanofiltration (NF) drinking water production unit of the Mery-sur-Oise plant (Val d'Oise, France) consists of eight identical filtration trains composed of three stages positioned in steps for a production capacity of 140,000 m(3) day(-1). To gain a better understanding of the irreversible fouling of the NF membranes, spiral wound modules in operation for 8 years from each of the three stages of the plant were autopsied before and after chemical cleaning and analysis by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Inductive Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry, contact angles, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content measurements, and rheometry. The fouled membranes from the three stages had similar contact angles of approximately 60 degrees . Relative infrared signals typical of biofilms were classified in descending order from stage 1 to stage 3. The foulant matter of stages 1 and 2 contained similar but weaker ATP concentrations than stage 3. During rheometry experiments, rotation and oscillation analyses demonstrated that the biofilm of stage 3 was less viscous and less elastic than the biofilms of stages 1 and 2. After cleaning, all the parameters analyzed demonstrated a quantitative decrease in the fouling matter at the NF membrane surface, but a biofilm with intact viscoelastic properties (unchanged G' and G'' values) remained at the membrane surface for the three stages. The persistence of biofilm material with intact mechanical properties at the NF membrane surface after chemical cleaning may result in permanent permeability decreases.
Asunto(s)
Biopelículas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Incrustaciones Biológicas , Filtros Microporos/microbiología , Nanotecnología/métodos , Purificación del Agua/métodos , Adenosina Trifosfato/análisis , Biopelículas/efectos de los fármacos , Incrustaciones Biológicas/prevención & control , Detergentes/farmacología , Nanotecnología/instrumentación , Reología , Espectrofotometría Atómica , Purificación del Agua/instrumentaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Computer technology is increasingly used in practical training at universities. However, in spite of their potential, computer-assisted simulation (CAS) systems still appear to be underutilised. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the practical usage of CAS/computer-assisted learning (CAL) systems, the familiarity and level of use of CAS systems, as well as the acceptance of approved learning content and English as the language of instruction in CAS/CAL systems. METHODS: A survey was conducted in the Departments of Conservative Dentistry and Prosthetic Dentistry of all 32 dental schools in Germany. Besides investigating the usefulness of, familiarity with and level of current usage of CAS systems, the questionnaire also contained questions regarding each respondent's gender, age, academic rank, experience in academia and computer skills, all of which correlated with the responses. RESULTS: The response rate was 90% (112 out of 125). The use of CAS/CAL systems was considered 'partly' to 'very' useful for evaluating the acquisition of knowledge (83.9%), qualitative issues (73.2%) and processes (72.3%) of dental preparation exercises and complex treatment strategies. However, only about half the respondents reported that they knew of, and even fewer used, the following systems in preclinical or clinical training: EDUnet (KaVo, Germany) (46.3%/0.9 %), PREPassistant (KaVo, Germany) (50%/0.9%), or the DentSim system (DenX, Israel) (52.8%/1.9%). The virtual simulation system VRDTS-CP (Novint, USA), used by none of the respondents, was known to only 16.5%. Responders agreed at least partly to accept approved learning content (74.9%) and English as the language of instruction (82.1%) as the standards for CAS systems. CONCLUSION: The survey indicates a distinct discrepancy between a generally positive attitude towards the usefulness of computer technology for dental education, the level of familiarity with current computer systems and their actual use. However, two prerequisites for ultimately decreasing the cost and increasing the usage of CAS systems--the acceptance of approved learning content and English as the language of instruction in CAS systems--seem to be generally accepted by respondents.
Asunto(s)
Actitud hacia los Computadores , Instrucción por Computador , Educación en Odontología/métodos , Tecnología Educacional , Docentes de Odontología , Adulto , Actitud del Personal de Salud , Alfabetización Digital , Simulación por Computador , Femenino , Alemania , Humanos , Lenguaje , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Simulación de Paciente , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Compared with its potential, computer technology use is still lacking in medical/dental education. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the primary advantages of computer-assisted learning (CAL) systems in German dental education, as well as the reasons for their relatively low degree of use correlated with personal and professional profiles of respondents. METHOD: A questionnaire was mailed to heads in the departments of conservative dentistry and prosthetic dentistry in all dental schools in Germany. Besides investigating the advantages and barriers to the use of computer technology, the questionnaire also contained questions regarding each respondent's gender, age, academic rank, experience in academia and computer skills. RESULTS: The response rate to the questionnaire was 90% (112 of 125). The results indicated a distinct discrepancy between the desire for and actual occurrence of lectures, seminars, etc. to instruct students in ways to search for and acquire knowledge, especially using computer technology. The highest-ranked advantages of CAL systems in order, as seen by respondents, were the possibilities for individual learning, increased motivation, and both objective theoretical tests and practical tests. The highest-ranked reasons for the low degree of usage of CAL systems in order were the inability to finance, followed equally by a lack of studies of CAL and poor cost-advantage ratio, and too much effort required to integrate CAL into the curriculum. Moreover, the higher the computer skills of the respondents, the more they noted insufficient quality of CAL systems (r = 0.200, P = 0.035) and content differences from their own dental faculty's expert opinions (r = 0.228, P = 0.016) as reasons for low use. CONCLUSION: The correlations of the attitudes towards CAL with the personal and professional profiles showed not only statistical significant reinforcements of, but also interesting deviations from, the average responses.
Asunto(s)
Actitud hacia los Computadores , Instrucción por Computador/estadística & datos numéricos , Educación en Odontología/métodos , Docentes de Odontología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Since February 1996, high-dose buprenorphine has been approved for use in the treatment of opioid dependence. In addition, recommendations concerning indications, patient selection, prescribing information and patient delivery have been addressed to doctors and pharmacists. Between its date of approval for use and late 1996, the medical service of French National Health Insurance followed 149 illicit drug users who received high-dose buprenorphine. They all lived in the Vosges 'département' and were affiliated with French Social Security Health Insurance. In general, the recommendations (consultation with a specialist, psychosocial follow-up and dosage schedules) were not followed by prescribing physicians. Concomitant prescriptions with psychotropic drugs, mainly benzodiazepines, were frequently encountered. This raises considerable concern since there have been recent reports of lethal intoxications with high-dose buprenorphine.
Asunto(s)
Buprenorfina/uso terapéutico , Antagonistas de Narcóticos/uso terapéutico , Cooperación del Paciente , Psicotrópicos/uso terapéutico , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/rehabilitación , Negativa del Paciente al Tratamiento , Adulto , Buprenorfina/efectos adversos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Francia , Humanos , Masculino , Antagonistas de Narcóticos/efectos adversos , Factores Socioeconómicos , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/psicologíaRESUMEN
Twenty-six forearms in 23 patients with marked pronation or supination deformities were treated with osteoclasis. Etiologies included 12 radioulnar synostoses, five brachial plexus injuries, three hemiplegias, two hemimelias, and four other types of deformities. Drill-assisted osteotomy of both the radius and ulna was followed 10 days later by manipulation to the desired functional position. Dominant extremities were placed in 20 degrees pronation, and nondominant extremities in 20 degrees supination. Range of motion was not significantly changed, but the arc of motion occurred in a more functional hand position. Average correction for 15 pronation deformities was 81 degrees and 69 degrees for 11 supination deformities. Two nonunions healed after bone grafting and there were no instances of neuromuscular compromise. Functional improvement was obtained in 25 of 26 forearms.