Parameter estimation for a morphochemical reaction-diffusion model of electrochemical pattern formation

The process of electrodeposition can be described in terms of a reaction-diffusion PDE system that models the dynamics of the morphology profile and the chemical composition. Here we fit such a model to the different patterns present in a range of electrodeposited and electrochemically modified alloys using PDE constrained optimization. Experiments with simulated data show how the parameter space of the model can be divided into zones corresponding to the different physical patterns by examining the structure of an appropriate cost function. We then use real data to demonstrate how numerical optimization of the cost function can allow the model to fit the rich variety of patterns arising in experiments. The computational technique developed provides a potential tool for tuning experimental parameters to produce desired patterns

The standard Instrumentation Feedthrough System for the LHC cryo-magnets

For the LHC, 1232 dipole magnets and about 400 quadrupole magnets operating at 1.9 K are installed in arcs and dispersion suppressors. Each cryo-magnet assembly comprises the main magnet and several small corrector magnets. Each assembly is equipped with voltage taps, quench heaters and cryogenic instrumentation. The number of instrumentation wires serving each magnet assembly and passing from cold to ambient is between 36 and 40. An Instrumentation Feedthrough System (IFS) will electrically and mechanically connect the instrument wires to the outside of the vacuum vessel. The IFS has to satisfy several requirements: simplicity of integration, optimal access during tests and commissioning, voltage withstand and reliability during the lifetime of the machine. The heat load to superfluid helium must be minimized, and the long-term stability of the insulation vacuum should be preserved. The solution foresees an open stainless steel tube housing the wires connected between the magnet and the outside of the vacuum vessel and terminated by a leak tight connector. The IFS is assembled from different standard components designed to fulfil the electrical, mechanical and thermal requirements and will be integrated by the industries that build the magnets. The standardization of the IFS for all types of cryo-magnet assemblies permits the same hardware interfaces and procedures to be used from the integration to commissioning and operation of the machine. This paper describes the main parameters, the technical choices, the performance and the integration techniques of the IFS system

De l’Italie au Québec : implications de la réforme psychiatrique italienne

Cet article a deux objectifs. 1) Contribuer à mieux faire connaître la tant discutée réforme psychiatrique italienne. 2) Proposer, pour réflexion, débat et action, un certain nombre d'implications que cette réforme soulève par rapport à la discussion actuelle sur la réorganisation des services de santé mentale au Québec. Sur le premier point, le message central des faits est le suivant: il y a moyen de faire une autre psychiatrie si société et intervenants veulent se donner un tel projet. Sur le deuxième point, les principales conditions de succès d'une psychiatrie globale et désinstitutionnalisee apparaissent être les suivantes: des ressources suffisantes; une base aux mains libres (décentralisation poussée de la décision et de l'organisation) mais responsable de l'intégration des services sur un territoire; un patient travail sur la culture et le tissu social local; l'omniprésence (temps/espace) du service sur le territoire; une réponse globale (et désinstitutionnalisee) aux besoins des patients; un travail d'équipe démocratique. Pas de miracles en Italie cependant: dans la société «refroidie» des années 80, la place est à l'expérimentation.This article has two aims: 1) to help in the understanding of the much discussed Italian reform in psychiatry. 2) to offer for review, discussion or action, a certain number of implications uncovered by this reform with regard to the ongoing discussions on the reorganization of Mental Health Services in Quebec. On the first aim, the key message is as follows: it is possible to create another psychiatry if society in general and those actually participating really want such a project. On the second aim, the main conditions of success for a global and deinstitutionalized psychiatry seem to be as follows: Sufficient resources, freedom to develop policies (a deep decentralisation of the decision making process and the organization) that are central to the integration of the services in a given territory; a dedicated study of the culture and the local social live; a continuous presence (intime and space) of the service in the territory; a total response (and deinstitu-tionalization) to the patient's needs; a democratic team work. However, there are no miracles in Italy; in the cooled down society of the 80's there is room for experimentation

La décentralisation après la loi de 1991 sur les services de santé et les services sociaux au Québec

Après six ans de consultations diverses, le chapitre 42 des lois du Québec de 1991 présente sous l'appellation de décentralisation une réponse aux demandes d'autonomie budgétaire et programmatique des régions et des établissements. Cet article analyse, à partir du texte de loi et des critères reconnus, dans quelle mesure il s'agit d'une réelle décentralisation ; il revoit en outre le chemin parcouru à cet égard depuis le rapport de la Commission Castonguay-Nepveu et met en relief les enjeux de pouvoir et d'autonomie liés à la décentralisation dans les rapports entre trois catégories d'acteurs : le MSSS, les régies régionales et les établissements. Enfin, l'article relève trois « tests de vérité » que la réforme subira sous peu et qui révéleront la portée réelle du transfert de pouvoirs vers les régions : la réglementation de la loi, les premières règles budgétaires et leur application, de même que les transferts d'effectif du MSSS vers les régions

Analyse descriptive des urgences psychiatriques dans la région du Montréal métropolitain

Cet article résume la première partie d'une recherche descriptive sur les urgences psychiatriques dans la région métropolitaine de Montréal. Tout d'abord, nous exposons le contexte dans lequel se situe l'étude et les objectifs poursuivis ; dans un deuxième temps, nous effectuons une brève description des principaux aspects méthodologiques de la recherche. Dans un troisième temps, nous présentons les données relatives au nombre d'urgences psychiatriques et à la répartition de cete demande de soins selon les centres hospitaliers du Montréal métropolitain. Un second article traitera des principales caractéristiques de la clientèle psychiatrique qui requiert les ressources d'urgence : âge, sexe, état civil, catégories socio-professionnelles, types de détresse psychiatrique, profils d'utilisation antérieure, etc.In. September 197S1, a research team from the Department of Health Administration of the University of Montreal, completed a research study on psychiatric emergencies financed by the Planning section of Quebec's Ministry of Social Affairs. The purpose of this research was on the one hand, to measure the importance of psychiatric problems in the emergency services of hospital centers in Montreal's metropolitan region (22 institutions) and, on the other hand, to describe the characteristics of patients who have access to these emergency services for the purpose of psychiatric treatment.This article summarizes the first section of this research study. Firstly, the authors explain the problem underlying the study, as well as the objectives pursued. Subsequently, a brief description of the research is made, according to its major methodological features. Finally, in the third section, data relative to the number of psychiatric emergencies and to the distribution of this care demand in Montreal's hospital centers, are presented.A second article will deal with the main characteristics of the psychiatric clientele requiring emergency resources i.e. age, sex, marital status, socio-professional categories, types of emotional distress, profiles of past-utilization of services (etc.)

Measurement on Different MLI Systems Between 77 K and 4 K and their Application in Cryogenic Engineering

Precise thermal measurements were done on different types of large surface MLI samples under various boundary conditions. The measurements were focused on the use of MLI for large industrial plants considering quick and simple installation. The results of the measurements aim at optimising MLI parameters, which control the thermal behaviour. Practical recommendations of MLI materials and their installation are given

Obesity and kidney stone disease. A systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Currently, abdominal obesity has reached an epidemic stage and obesity represents an important challenge for worldwide health authorities. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that the stone risk incidence increases with Body Mass Index, through multiple pathways. Metabolic syndrome and diabetes are associated with an increased renal stones disease incidence. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the prevalence, morbidity, risk factors involved in the association between obesity and urolithiasis. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The search involved finding relevant studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Ovid, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and individual urological journals between January 2001 and May 2017. The inclusion criteria were for studies written in the English language, reporting on the association between obesity and urinary stones. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The underlying pathophysiology of stone formation in obese patients is thought to be related to insulin resistance, dietary factors, and a lithogenic urinary profile. Uric acid stones and calcium oxalate stones are observed frequently in these patients. Insulin resistance is thought to alter the renal acid-base metabolism, resulting in a lower urine pH, and increasing the risk of uric acid stone disease. Obesity is also associated with excess nutritional intake of lithogenic substances and with an increase in urinary tract infection incidence. Recent studies highlighted that renal stone disease increases the risk of myocardial infarction, progression of chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. Contemporary, bariatric surgery has been shown to be associated with hyperoxaluria and oxalate nephropathy. Certainly, the many health risks of obesity, including nephrolithiasis, will add more burden on urologists and nephrologists. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity related nephrolithiasis seems to necessitate weight loss as primary treatment, but the recognition of the associated complications is necessary to prevent induction of new and equally severe medical problems. The optimal approach to obesity control that minimizes stone risk needs to be determined in order to manage obesity-induced renal stones disease