56 research outputs found
Regarding “Problems with the dissemination of up-to-date information on the results of endograft repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm”
No full textSpeak to me only with thine ayes? The representativeness of professional EU advocacy groups
No full textThe European Commission, in an attempt to enhance its democratic decision-making, engages in an institutionalised dialogue with representative EU advocacy groups. However, one important strand of interest group scholars argues that as a result of recognition, groups
professionalise and lose their representativeness. They argue that as a result the positions put forward by EU groups no longer represent the interests of their members and supporters, because these have no or little say in the formation of EU positions. It follows that the European
Commission’s strategy is doomed.
This thesis challenges the argument that EU advocacy groups necessarily lose their representativeness as they become professional. Such a position relies on overly narrow conceptions of representativeness and
professionalisation, ignoring organisational differences. First, representation does not rely only on member participation. Second, the representative claims of advocacy groups also have to be accepted by
members and supporters as representing their interests. Third, professionalisation is more than bureaucratisation and has to include the application of new media technology for the dimensions of representativeness.
These insights suggest the claim that groups necessarily lose their representativeness as they become professional has to be qualified. Drawing on the analysis of documents and websites of five EU environmental groups and their member groups, as well as interviews conducted by the author, this thesis demonstrates the limitations of the
existing literature. The findings show that the implications of
professionalisation for representativeness vary according to organisational structures and strategies. The thesis also exemplifies how the new media can increase representativeness. Finally, it affords new insights into how
advocacy groups contribute to democracy in the EU and beyond
Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm in octogenarians: An analysis based on EUROSTAR data
No full textPurposeTo investigate the early and late outcome after endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) in octogenarians compared with patients aged <80 years.MethodsPatients treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with endovascular repair during the period 1996 to 2004 were collated in the EUROSTAR registry. This study group consisted of 697 patients aged ≥80 years. Comparison was made with 4198 patients aged <80 years with regard to the incidence of preoperative characteristics and outcomes of the procedure.ResultsThe proportion of octogenarians treated by EVAR increased during the study period, from 11% in the first year to 18% in the last year. Octogenarians more frequently had cardiac disease, impaired renal function, and pulmonary disease (P = .03, P < .0001 and P = .0001). Thirty-two percent of the octogenarians were recorded unfit for open surgery as opposed to 22% in younger patients (P < .0001); they also had a larger aneurysm diameter (62 vs 58 mm, respectively; P < .0001). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality in octogenarians was 5% vs 2% in the younger group (P < .0001). More device-related complications and systemic complications, including cardiac disease, were noted in octogenarians (7% vs 5% and 19% vs 11%, P = .03 and P < .0001, respectively). This group of patients also had a higher incidence of postoperative hemorrhagic complications, including hematoma (7% vs 3%, P < .0001, respectively). No differences in conversion to open repair and post-EVAR rupture rate were observed. Aneurysm-related mortality and late all-cause mortality was 7% vs 3% and 10% vs 7%, both P < .0001.ConclusionOur study supports that EVAR might be considered when treating elderly patients, provided their aneurysms are anatomically suited for the endovascular technique. The risk for late complications compared with open repair may be outweighed by a lower early mortality as well as a shorter time for physical recovery
Development of a Non-pinned Low-profile End Treatment
No full textIn the early 1990s, the Low-Profile Portable Concrete Barrier (PCB) system, including both the sloped Low-Profile PCB segment and Low-Profile PCB end treatment, were developed. The original Low-Profile PCB end treatment was designed with steel pins inserted along the barrier centerline, through precast holes, and anchored to the pavement or subgrade. The purpose of these pins was to reduce lateral deflection of the end treatment during an impact. For various reasons, users of the Low-Profile PCB system have stated that the system would be more easily deployed if the vertical pins were not used in situations where lateral deflections can be permitted. The primary objective of the research presented herein was to determine the feasibility of removing the vertical, steel pins from the Low-Profile PCB end treatment in certain applications and if necessary make modifications. The secondary objective of the research presented herein was to demonstrate the applicability of the finite element analysis (FEA) to unpinned barrier systems.
The research objectives were achieved through the use of sound engineering judgment, FEA, and a full-scale crash test. Based on sound engineering judgment and approximate strength analyses of the original Low-Profile PCB design, the author determined the system would most likely function acceptably but would have large lateral deflections. In order to increase connection rigidity and thus control lateral displacement, a plate washer was added to the barrier connection.
The modified non-pinned Low-Profile PCB system was tested for strength in a full-scale crash test under Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) test 2-35. Additionally, the recommended system was analyzed under similar test conditions with LS-DYNA, a finite element code. The recommended system passed the MASH test 2-35, in both a full-scale crash test and FEA. While this does not replace the original barrier, it does provide another option for use of the Low-Profile PCB in situations where sufficient room for deflection outside of the length of need exists. If this room does not exist, the barrier must remain pinned
Stochastic Approach to Study the Influence of Rate of Loading on Strength of Concrete
No full textAlthough any reliability analysis depends on the entering load and resistance distribution functions, the actual materials behaviour has been neglected in many reliability assessments. Strength of concrete is widely scattered because of the heterogeneity of this composite material. So far no generally accepted theory to describe the stochastic nature of concrete properties is available. Besides of this, hardly anything is known on the influence of rate of loading on the variability, of strength of concrete. In this paper, a stochastic theory for fracture of concrete materials is presented. This theory is based on physically relevant probability models. It is possible to describe the fracture process not only under monotonically increasing load, buth also under timedependent loading conditions such as sustained load and repeated load. Moreover, this theory provides a realistic basis for a mathematical formulation of the variability of porous materials. Theoretical predictions are compared with earlier published data. Experiments have been carried out to verify the theoretical approach described in this report. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of rate ofloading on the mean strength and the corresponding variability. The rate ofloading has been changed by three orders of magnitude and for most series six different rates have been chosen within this range. Specimens of high strength mortar, low strength mortar, lightweight and normal concrete have been tested under compressive and bending load. The distribution function has been evaluated from about 30 individual tests for each chosen condition of loading some experiments to investigate the influence of temperature have been carried out.Civil Engineering and Geoscience
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