ABSTRACT
In order to increase the intensity of the highly charged ions produced by the Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Sources (ECRISs), techniques like the frequency tuning and the afterglow mode have been developed and in this paper the effect on the ion production is shown for the first time when combining both techniques. Recent experimental results proved that the tuning of the operating frequency of the ECRIS is a promising technique to achieve higher ion currents of higher charge states. On the other hand, it is well known that the afterglow mode of the ECRIS operation can provide more intense pulsed ion beams in comparison with the continuous wave (cw) operation. These two techniques can be combined by pulsing the variable frequency signal driving the traveling wave tube amplifier which provides the high microwave power to the ECRIS. In order to analyze the effect of these two combined techniques on the ion source performance, several experiments were carried out on the pulsed frequency tuned CAPRICE (Compacte source A Plusiers Résonances Ionisantes Cyclotron Electroniques)-type ECRIS. Different waveforms and pulse lengths have been investigated under different settings of the ion source. The results of the pulsed mode have been compared with those of cw operation.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the one-day epilepsy training course IBF (Information, Counselling, Teaching) for staff members who support people with disabilities. IBF is designed to teach basic knowledge in epilepsy and thereby to promote appropriate support for people with epilepsy and additional disabilities. IBF trainers are recruited from the Bethel Institute in Germany with its special focus on epilepsy. They realize IBF courses on requests of other German facilities for people with disabilities and use teaching material on CD-Rom developed by a working group of the Bethel Institute. METHODS: Data of 241 IBF participants and data of 197 staff members who took other courses than IBF could be compared twice. Two self-constructed questionnaires on (a) epilepsy knowledge and (b) epilepsy related concerns about caring had to be answered. Trainers administered the instruments at the beginning of the IBF courses (T1). Three months later (T2), the questionnaires were sent again to the IBF participants. The procedure for staff members of the control group was similar. RESULTS: Analyses of variance with repeated measurements showed that the IBF group - in contrast to the control group - improved significantly with respect to epilepsy knowledge and with respect to concerns about caring. The effect sizes of the IBF group changes on epilepsy knowledge had to be regarded as high, and improvements could be seen on most items of the scale. Effect sizes of the IBF group changes on concerns about caring had to be regarded as low, and improvements could only be seen on a few items of the scale. CONCLUSION: The essential finding of this study is that IBF proved to be efficient and that its most important goals are reached. Although a low responsiveness of the scale on epilepsy related concerns about caring cannot be excluded, it seems reasonable to discuss whether subjects that go beyond enhancing epilepsy knowledge should not be focussed even more in future IBF courses.
Subject(s)
Counseling , Epilepsy/rehabilitation , Inservice Training/methods , Patient Education as Topic , Teaching Materials , Adolescent , Adult , CD-ROM , Curriculum , Disabled Persons/rehabilitation , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
In 23 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), 23 patients on chronic intermittent hemodialysis treatment (DP), 22 patients after renal transplantation (RT) and 40 normal persons (NP), Biotin plasma levels and the urinary excretion were analysed and compared to the dietary Biotin intake. Unsupplemented DP had lower intake of Biotin than the CRF, RT, NP and DP with supplementation. DP excreted only 1.6-6.3% of the daily intake as compared to 39.7% in NP, 27.6% in CRF and 24.3% in RT. In unsupplemented DP patients, Biotin plasma levels were elevated by 4 times and in supplemented patients by 6 times compared to NP. During hemodialysis treatment, the Biotin plasma level dropped by about 30% in DP with and by 33% in DP without vitamine supplementation. However, after 44 hours, the initial concentration was reached again in those receiving vitamine supplementation (99% of basal level) and in DP without substitution (97% of basal level). Only in male DP significantly higher Biotin plasma levels before HD were detected irrespective of the supplementation dose as compared to female patients (30 micrograms and 300 micrograms Biotin after each dialysis session). Biotin plasma concentration did not vary with respect to the underlying renal disease, the serum creatinine concentration and the length and frequency of dialysis treatment, including the type of dialyzer (low- vs high flux) used and the blood flow rate (QB 180-260 vs 270-280 vs 300 ml/min). There were no major effects of the age of the patients (< 60 years vs > 60 years), the BMI, nicotine abuse, or alcohol intake on Biotin blood concentration. Our results showed normal Biotin plasma levels which reflect a normal functional status and exclude a functional deficit, therefore there is no reason for a regular Biotin supplementation in patients with chronic renal failure.