A modern course on digital design at the University of Twente

At the University of Twente, the Netherlands a modern course on basic digital design has been developed. This course, which is based on a text book in English (K. J. Breeding, 1992), is supported by a sophisticated computer-assisted learning program and life-like practical work with extensive use of computer-aided-design tools. These features largely reduce the need for human teachers. Major parts of the course are particularly suited to be copied by other institute

Significance of image-charge fields on the write performance of a pole-keeper head

This paper presents a method for the computation of the magnetization and magnetic-field distributions of one transition in a perpendicular recording layer. It is used in a thick single-pole head keeper layer configuration to show that image-charge effects are significant and have a geometry-dependent impact on both height and gradient of the transition

Electrolyte disturbances in heart failure:focus on sodium and potassium

This thesis investigated the interplay between sodium, potassium, and therapies for heart failure (HF). In Chapter 2, we showed, in an Asian cohort of patients with chronic HF, that hyperkalaemia was associated with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and lower serum sodium concentrations. Additionally, we observed large international differences. Hypo- and hyperkalaemia were not related to worse prognosis compared to normokalaemia. In Chapter 3, we found similar results in patients with chronic heart failure from a European cohort. Most importantly, higher serum potassium levels at baseline showed to be an independent predictor of unsuccessful up-titration with ACEi/ARB. However, an increase in serum potassium during follow-up (i.e. titrating dosages of ACEi/ ARB) did not attenuate the beneficial effects of up-titration. In contrast, Chapter 4 tested the interference of potassium disturbances with HF therapy in patients hospitalized with acute HF. In this international cohort, over 50% of patients developed hypo- or hyperkalaemia at least once while hospitalized. Patients developing hyperkalaemia were more likely to have their MRA treatment being down-titrated or discontinued. Incident hyperkalaemia was no independent predictor of impaired prognosis, yet down-titration or discontinuation of the RAASi was. Even in patients with hyperkalaemia, the prognosis was better if dosages of MRA or ACEi/ARB remained constant or were increased. In Chapter 5, we showed that administering the SGLT2-inihibitor empagliflozin to patients with acute heart failure was well tolerated and increased cumulative urinary volume. Chapter 6 added on the findings of Chapter 5 by indicating that the higher urinary output was not the result of an increased natriuresis. Moreover, urinary osmolality remained similar between both groups. In Chapter 7, we found no effect of empagliflozin on serum and urinary potassium levels in patients with acute HF

Invited commentary

P>Background: In double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs), the use of challenge materials in which blinding is validated is a prerequisite for obtaining true blinded conditions during the test procedure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to enlarge the available range of validated recipes for DBPCFCs to facilitate oral challenge tests in all age groups, including young children, while maximizing the top dose in an acceptable volume. Methods: Recipes were developed and subsequently validated by a panel recruited by a matching sensory test. The best 30% of candidates were selected to participate in sensory testing using the paired comparison test. Results: For young children, three recipes with cow's milk and one recipe with peanut could be validated which may be utilized in DBPCFCs. For children older than 4 years and adults, one recipe with egg, two with peanut, one with hazelnut, and one with cashew nut were validated for use in DBPCFCs. Conclusions: All recipes contained larger amounts of allergenic foods than previously validated. These recipes increase the range of validated recipes for use in DBPCFCs in adults and children

The switching criterion in perpendicular magnetic recording

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the effect of the "switching criterion", the level at which self-consistency is assumed in calculations on the perpendicular magnetic recording process. It can be proven that in a perpendicular recording configuration with an ideal keeper layer and a recording layer with a rectangular hysteresis loop, the switching criterion in stand-still recording situations is immaterial, because self-consistency is reached at all depth levels simultaneously. If either the keeper layer is absent, or the recording layer's hysteresis loop is sheared, it is shown that the higher the level at which self-consistency is assumed, the sharper the stand-still recorded transitions will be

Trajectories of internationalization: knowledge and national business styles in the making of two Dutch publishing multinationals, 1950-1990

The internationalization of business is the subject of an extensive theoretical literature as well as a growing number of historical studies. Historians have paid relatively little attention to the development of multinationals in the service sector, and studies about international publishing are especially scarce. This article discusses the early internationalization of two Dutch publishing firms, Kluwer (nowWolters Kluwer) and Elsevier (now Reed Elsevier) and confronts these case histories with the evolutionary theory of internationalization. The Dutch cases underline the important role of experience, knowledge and learning as well as of the national context in which companies develop. They also show that these factors allow for very different trajectories of internationalization within the same branch of business and the same country

Expert consensus document on the management of hyperkalaemia in patients with cardiovascular disease treated with RAAS-inhibitors - Coordinated by the Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy of the European Society of Cardiology.

Renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors/antagonists/blockers (RAASi) are a cornerstone in treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases especially in those with heart failure (HF) due to their proven effect on surrogate and hard end-points. RAASi are also the basis in treatment of arterial hypertension and they are furthermore indicated to reduce events and target organ damage in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, where they have specific indication because of the evidence of benefit. RAASi therapy, however, is associated with an increased risk of hyperkalaemia. Patients with chronic kidney disease and HF are at increased risk of hyperkalaemia and ∼50% of these patients experience two or more yearly recurrences. A substantial proportion of patients receiving RAASi therapy have their therapy down-titrated or more often discontinued even after a single episode of elevated potassium (K+) level