We consider a model of N particles interacting through a Kac-style collision process, with m particles among them interacting, in addition, with a thermostat. When m = N, we show exponential approach to the equilibrium canonical distribution in terms of the L2 norm, in relative entropy, and in the Gabetta-Toscani-Wennberg (GTW) metric, at a rate independent of N. When m < N , the exponential rate of approach to equilibrium in L2 is shown to behave as m/N for N large, while the relative entropy and the GTW distance from equilibrium exhibit (at least) an "eventually exponential” decay, with a rate scaling as m/N^2 for large N. As an allied project, we obtain a rigorous microscopic description of the thermostat used, based on a model of a tagged particle colliding with an infinite gas in equilibrium at the thermostat temperature. These results are based on joint work with Federico Bonetto, Michael Loss and Hagop Tossounian.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of symptoms associated after exposure to “bath salts,” a term for synthetic cathinones in Arizona. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of reported exposures to synthetic cathinones to the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center and the Banner Good Samaritan Poison and Drug Information Center. Main Results: There were 306 cases of synthetic cathinone exposures reviewed and 76.5% were males (n=234) and 23.5% were females (n=72). They were ingested, inhaled, snorted, or injected. The mean age of exposure to synthetic cathinones was 29 years old. The most common symptoms included agitation (48.7%), hallucinations (27.1%), confusion (17.6%), hypertension (21.9%), tachycardia (50.6%), CK elevation (17.3%) and chest pain (9.5%). Less frequent symptoms exhibited in synthetic cathinone abuse included other CNS effects, gastrointestinal symptoms, muscular dysfunction, visual disturbances, and respiratory issues. Conclusions: The symptoms exhibited after exposure to synthetic cathinones were mainly neurologic and cardiovascular. In most cases, symptoms were effectively resolved within 24 to 48 hours after treatment with intravenous fluids and benzodiazepines. In some reports, patients were also given oxygen, anti-emetics, sedatives and anti-psychotic medications. Medical outcomes included major (1.6%), moderate (42.2%) and minor effects (26.1%) while 92 patients were lost to follow-up.

High level sport is linked to educational institutions. Historically, a number of systems designed to develop high level sports performance have been based at places of learning. This work is concerned with how an educational institution has gone about developing the sport of judo, taking the form of a case study of the Team Bath Judo Programme at the University of Bath, recognising that that system sits within a social and political context.

Orientador: Silvia Cristina Mangini Bocchi / Banca: Rodolfo Franco Puttini / Banca: Marina Peduzzi / Resumo: Trata-se de uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, de abordagem etnográfica focada, com os objetivos de: compreender o processo que compõe a experiência da equipe de enfermagem, acerca dos conhecimentos êmico e ético, norteadores da prática do banho no leito, bem como elaborar um modelo teórico que a represente. O estudo teve como cenário a Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) de adultos de um Hospital de médio porte, da cidade de Anápolis, Goiás. A instituição é considerada referência no atendimento de usuários politraumatizados do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Os informantes-chave foram os membros da equipe de enfermagem. A coleta de dados transcorreu no período de dezembro de 2007 a março de 2008, após receber parecer favorável do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (CEP), bem como a obtenção do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido de Participação em Pesquisa. Essa etapa de execução do projeto de pesquisa fundamentou-se no referencial metodológico da etnoenfermagem, proposto por Madaleine Leininger. Utilizou-se, especificamente, do habilitador Observação-Participação-Reflexão (OPR) e de entrevistas individuais orientadas pelo Modelo Sunrise, conduzidas com três enfermeiros e cinco técnicos de enfermagem. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se a Grounded Theory, também, conhecida como Teoria Fundamentada em Dados, recomendada por Charmaz (2007) como uma estratégia a ser utilizada em pesquisas etnográficas que visam ao aprofundamento do conhecimento, acerca de objetos de estudos como desta investigação, envolvendo processo vivencial. Ressalta-se que, durante a análise, procurou-se não perder de vista o princípio fundamental da etnoenfermagem que é: estudar fenômenos relativos ao objeto com enfoque êmico e ético. A contento, da análise emergiram cinco fenômenos: (a) considerando... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This is a qualitative study with a focused ethnographic approach which firstly aimed at understanding the process composing the nursing team's experience as concerns the emic and etic knowledge guiding the bed bath practice and, secondly, at designing a theoretical model that could represent it. The investigation scenario was the adults' Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at a medium-sized hospital in the city of Anápolis, Goiás. Such institution is considered to be a reference service in the assistance of polytraumatized users of the Unified Health Care System (UHCS). Members of the nursing team were the key informants. Data were collected from December 2007 to March 2008, after approval by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) and receipt of a signed Consent Form for Research Participation. This phase of the research project execution was based on the ethnonursing methodological framework proposed by Madeleine Leininger. Specifically, the Observation-Participation-Reflection (OPR) enabler and individual interviews guided by the Sunrise Model were used. The interviews were conducted with three nurses and five nursing technicians. The Grounded Theory was used for data analysis. Such theory is recommended by Charmaz (2007) as a strategy to be used in ethnographic research with the purpose to improve knowledge on objects of study involving the process of experience, as is the case in this investigation. It is noteworthy that, during the analysis, an attempt was made not to deviate from the fundamental principle of ethnonursing, which is to investigate phenomena related to the object with an emic and etic focus. Effectively, five phenomena emerged from the analysis: (a) considering the UCI as a scenario that goes beyond the purpose of attending to individuals in critical condition; (b) rethinking integral nursing care after... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

<p>The study tries to increase the understanding of the phenomenon known as the Big bath, on the question whether the market accepts Big bath accounting principle or not. Big bath is an accounting theory meaning that a company is likely to increase its impairment in a specific year. This could be as a reaction on a change in the leadership, a depreciation of the result or maybe an external decrease in demand. Through a quantitative survey of the market it is examining whether the companies themselves are inclined to use the procedure and if the stock market accepts it. The study concludes that Big bath similar procedures are a fairly common accounting practice and that the stock market does not seem to mind.</p><p> </p>

The study tries to increase the understanding of the phenomenon known as the Big bath, on the question whether the market accepts Big bath accounting principle or not. Big bath is an accounting theory meaning that a company is likely to increase its impairment in a specific year. This could be as a reaction on a change in the leadership, a depreciation of the result or maybe an external decrease in demand. Through a quantitative survey of the market it is examining whether the companies themselves are inclined to use the procedure and if the stock market accepts it. The study concludes that Big bath similar procedures are a fairly common accounting practice and that the stock market does not seem to mind.

Québec’s historical attachment to Roman Catholicism is visible: there is still a great amount of church buildings throughout the province. However, changing attitudes in Québec (as in other regions around the world) are leading to a chronic desertion of spaces of worship. Conceived as the heart of a community, churches constitute imposing presences in the built and social fabrics of the neighbourhoods they serve. In today’s context, this status is shifting, and communities are now striving to somehow re-engage with the churches they have abandoned. However, the sacred nature of these buildings often frames a specific way of looking at them, which can limit a potentially innovative reuse. Given this situation, how can a church be granted anew its status as a public space in a plural environment, thus preserving some of the exceptional qualities of its architecture? Looking at the case of the abandoned Roman Catholic church Très Saint-Nom-de-Jésus in Montréal, this thesis challenges the current approaches to church preservation by converting the building into a bathing space. Characteristic elements of church typology, such as the quality of light and the ritual, are preserved and revised in a contemporary manner, opening the building to a more diverse society. This strategy of valuing intangible elements of church architecture leads to a proposal that demonstrates the responsiveness of this typology and offers ways in which it can regain its role as a space for the public in an increasingly multicultural community, thus challenging the traditional look, both conservationist and the larger public, at a church.

Québec’s historical attachment to Roman Catholicism is visible: there is still a great amount of church buildings throughout the province. However, changing attitudes in Québec (as in other regions around the world) are leading to a chronic desertion of spaces of worship. Conceived as the heart of a community, churches constitute imposing presences in the built and social fabrics of the neighbourhoods they serve. In today’s context, this status is shifting, and communities are now striving to somehow re-engage with the churches they have abandoned. However, the sacred nature of these buildings often frames a specific way of looking at them, which can limit a potentially innovative reuse. Given this situation, how can a church be granted anew its status as a public space in a plural environment, thus preserving some of the exceptional qualities of its architecture? Looking at the case of the abandoned Roman Catholic church Très Saint-Nom-de-Jésus in Montréal, this thesis challenges the current approaches to church preservation by converting the building into a bathing space. Characteristic elements of church typology, such as the quality of light and the ritual, are preserved and revised in a contemporary manner, opening the building to a more diverse society. This strategy of valuing intangible elements of church architecture leads to a proposal that demonstrates the responsiveness of this typology and offers ways in which it can regain its role as a space for the public in an increasingly multicultural community, thus challenging the traditional look, both conservationist and the larger public, at a church.

Thèse--Lettres--Paris III, 1975. / Bibliogr. p. 851-907. Index.

Inaug.-diss.--Leipzig. / Lebenslauf. Published, with the text of the treatise, as v. 4, pt. 1, of Beiträge zur geschichte der philosophie des mittelalters. Münster, 1903. VIII, 112 p.