Direct solution to an optimal control problem of econometric systems

A direct solution is proposed to an optimal control problem of linear econometric systems with a quadratic welfare loss function when there are linear equality constraints on the control variables. The direct solution proposed here eliminates the problem of non-uniqueness of the optimal solution, which is present when this optimal control problem is solved using the recursive algorithm proposed by Chow,¹ Pindyck² and Tan.³ If a unique solution to the optimal control problem exists, then the direct solution and the recursive solution coincide.     

颅面部螺旋CT扫描技术及图像的质控

颅面部的 CT扫描检查主要包括颅脑面部上、下颌骨、中耳、内耳、鼻窦、眼眍、眼球及颞骨茎突等部位的扫描检查 ,上述部位的扫描检查的位置的摆法 ,层面的厚度、间距 ,扫描时间及螺距等参数的选择及扫描后图像的后处理工作对检查结果的诊断至关重要。上述参数任意一个选择不当及     

The parenting-crime connection

This paper examines delinquency as it relates to family influences.     

Hyperaemia in rat neocortex produced by acute exposure to methylenedioxymethamphetamine

Cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization were measured in rat neocortex, hippocampus and striatum following methylenedioxymethamphetamine injection (5 mg/kg, i.v.), using the tracers [¹⁴C]iodoantipyrine and [¹⁴C]2-deoxyglucose, respectively. In control rats, blood flow was coupled to glucose metabolism, but in methylenedioxymethamphetamine-treated rats, marked hyperperfusion was measured in frontal and parietal cortex with no change in glucose use. This suggests that methylenedioxymethamphetamine has the potential to disrupt cerebrovascular control.     

Interventions to promote optimal health outcomes in children with Type 1 diabetes—are they effective?

The incidence of Type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide, imposing enormous public health costs, as well as profoundly affecting individual quality of life. There is evidence that psychological problems are increased in children with diabetes and this morbidity is often associated with poor metabolic control. Specific risk factors for this dual morbidity are emerging from empirical studies. The next challenge is to identify effective interventions for use with children at risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes. The intervention literature is reviewed. It is noted that most studies have used diabetes-specific, unstandardized interventions in groups of adolescents, with few interventions trialled with younger children. No study has targeted a specific psychological disorder such as behaviour problems or depression, both of which are known to be increased in children with diabetes and for which effective standardized interventions are available. Attention is drawn to methodological limitations in many of the studies conducted to date and suggestions made to reduce these in future interventions attempting to reduce the burden of illness in children with diabetes.     

应用QQC活动提高儿科静脉穿刺成功率

目的提高静脉穿刺成功率，减少患儿因反复穿刺造成的痛苦及恐惧，减轻家长因担心穿刺困难而产生的焦虑，提高治疗和抢救的效率。方法详细介绍了QQC活动在提高儿科静脉穿刺成功率的应用，包括找出目前存在的问题，确定目标、采用流程图的方法分析问题存在的原因，制定相应的质量改进方案，并测量实施结果。结果实施QQC活动后静脉穿刺成功率比实施前明显提高。结论有效的QQC活动可以提高静脉穿刺成功率。     

Development of the Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Conscious Sedation and Pain Control) Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney

The Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Conscious Sedation and Pain Control) of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney, is the first dedicated programme devoted to this field in Australia. Its development followed a decision by the Dental Board of New South Wales to require a formal qualification from the University of Sydney before dental practitioners could offer sedation and pain management in practice.
The programme is conducted at Westmead Hospital in conjunction with the Department of Anaesthetics, and satisfies the guidelines developed by the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
The course is conducted either over one or two years, with block sessions requiring attendance at Westmead Hospital, together with assignments which are completed outside the block sessions. In this way, a dental practitioner enrolled in the programme is able to continue practice.
The block sessions need not be completed over one year, but must be completed within two years.     

RESULTS OF EXTERNAL BEAM RADIOTHERAPY IN 448 PATIENTS WITH CLINICALLY LOCALIZED ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE

The results of external beam radiotherapy for clinically localized adenocarcinorna of the prostate in 448 patients treated in the period 1980–90 were reviewed. The average follow up was 4.9 years. The patients were aged 44–87 years (median 69 years) and all had histopathological evidence of adenocarcinoma by needle biopsy or transurethral resection of prostate. The histopathological grading was: 127 G₁; 154 G₂; 127 G₃; 12 G₄; 28 G_x. Clinical staging according to TNM (American Urological Association) was: 29 T₀ (A2); 4 T₁ (B1); 173 T₂ (B2); 176 T₃ (C1); 63 T₄ (C2); 3 T_x. Routine surgical pelvic lymph node staging was not performed but patients had radiological (computerized tomography scan or lymphogram) nodal staging: 350 N₀; 22 N₁; 12 N₂; 64 N_x. High energy linear accelerator external beam radiotherapy was given by multiple fields to total doses of 50–70 Gy (median 60 Gy). The majority of patients (307, 69%) was treated by a uniform policy under the care of one radiation oncologist (HM). The rates of local and distant failure at 5 years were 10% (s.e. = 2%) and 42% (s.e. = 3%), respectively. The late complication rate at 5 years was 25% (s.e. = 2%), comprising mild 16%, moderate 7% and severe 1.3%. The 5 year overall survival rate was 64% (s.e. = 2%) and the cancer-specific survival rate was 74% (s.e. = 3%). Both histological grade and clinical stage were strongly predictive of overall survival and distant failure. Only histological grade was predictive of local failure. Treatment with external beam radiotherapy for this common cancer resulted in survival and disease control rates that compare favourably with other published radiotherapy series and has been accompanied by acceptably low morbidity.