Physical modelling of overbank flows with a groyne set on the floodplain

Doctoral thesis (2011)

Physical processes study in the transition zone of the Northwest African upwelling: climatological data analysis

(2003)

Physical Properties of Particles of Ipratropium and Clenbuterol Generated by Equipment Suitable for the Inhalation of Drugs by Calves

in Research in Veterinary Science (1995), 59(2), 164-167

When solutions of ipratropium and clenbuterol were atomised at 300 kPa and 450 kPa in equipment suitable for the inhalation of drugs by calves, the numbers, velocities and diameters of the particles ... [more ▼]

When solutions of ipratropium and clenbuterol were atomised at 300 kPa and 450 kPa in equipment suitable for the inhalation of drugs by calves, the numbers, velocities and diameters of the particles produced were similar. When the pressure was increased to 600 kPa more of the particles were less than 2 microns in diameter and fewer were more than 7 microns in diameter, the fractions of the total mass of the solution generated in these size ranges were similarly increased and decreased, and the velocities of the particles were increased. At any given pressure, the numbers of particles of different sizes, and the proportions of the total mass generated, were similar for the solutions of ipratropium and clenbuterol, but a solution of saline produced more particles with a diameter less than 3 microns. Particles from the solution of ipratropium had the highest velocity and particles from the solution of clenbuterol had the lowest velocity. [less ▲]

Physically based and spatially distributed modeling of floods events: The "Faitou" concept

in International Symposium on Flood Defence (2000)

Physically-based groundwater vulnerability assessment for groundwater protection and land-use management

Poster (2010, April 22)

Numerous groundwater vulnerability and risk mapping techniques have been developed taking into consideration a variable number of factors. Most common techniques produce maps of indexes based on a ... [more ▼]

Numerous groundwater vulnerability and risk mapping techniques have been developed taking into consideration a variable number of factors. Most common techniques produce maps of indexes based on a relatively empirical combination of weighted factors reflecting the protective effect of underground formations overlying the groundwater resource. The limitation of such methods is related to their use of a qualitative definition of groundwater vulnerability, as opposed to a definition based on a quantitative description of contaminant migration. A physically-based point of view and definition of the vulnerability is proposed and based on three factors describing a pollution event, which are the contaminant transfer time from the hazard location to the 'target', the contamination duration at the 'target' and the level of contaminant concentration reached at the 'target'. This concept allows a clear distinction between conventional aspects and physically-based results in the building of a final vulnerability indicator. This methodology has the further advantage to consider the possible impact of runoff conditions occurring at the land surface and possibly leading to lateral contamination of groundwater through downstream preferential infiltration features, such as karstic features. Practically, this method needs to describe and simulate the pollutant migration in the unsaturated zone and possibly in the saturated zone in order to assess the breakthrough curve at the 'target'. Preliminary application is illustrated on a case-study located in a Néblon limestone basin in Belgium, one of the main groundwater resources for the city of Liège in the Meuse basin. Perspectives are proposed towards a generalisation of the vulnerability concept for risk assessment within a pressure - state - impact framework. [less ▲]

Physicians are different when they learn communication skills: influence of the locus of control

in Psycho-Oncology (2007), 16(6), 553-562

Purpose: Although it is widely recognised that educational interventions may be more effective for people with an 'internal' Locus of Control (who believe that life outcomes are controlled by their own ... [more ▼]

Purpose: Although it is widely recognised that educational interventions may be more effective for people with an 'internal' Locus of Control (who believe that life outcomes are controlled by their own characteristics or actions) compared to people with an 'external' Locus of Control (who believe that life outcomes are controlled by external forces such as luck, fate or others), no study has yet assessed the influence of physicians' Locus of Control (LOC) on communication skills learning. This study aims to test the hypothesis that, in a communication skills training program, physicians with an 'internal' LOC would demonstrate communication skills acquisition to a greater degree than those with an 'external' LOC. Methods: A non-randomised longitudinal intervention study was conducted between January 1999 and April 2001. Sixty-seven volunteer physicians from private and institutional practice in Belgium participated in a learner-centred, skills-focused, practice-oriented communication skills training program. Communication skills changes were assessed in 2 standardised simulated interviews before and after training (one two-person and one three-person interview). Communication skills were assessed using the Cancer Research Campaign Workshop Evaluation Manual. Physicians' LOC was assessed using the Rotter I-E scale. Communication skills changes of the upper and lower third of physicians in respect of their scores on this scale were compared using group by time repeated measures of variance. Results: In the two-person and three-person interviews, changes in the use of open directive questions were more important among physicians with an "internal" LOC compared with changes observed among physicians with an 'external' LOC (P = 0.066 and P = 0.004, respectively). In the three-person interview, changes in the use of directive questions, assessing functions and moderate feelings stated explicitly were more important among physicians with an 'internal' LOC compared with changes observed among physicians with an 'external' LOC (P = 0.001; P = 0.002 and P = 0.011 respectively). Conclusion: This study shows that physicians' LOC is a psychological characteristic that could influence the efficacy of a communication skills training program. This evidence supports the idea that a psychological characteristic such as 'internal' LOC may facilitate communication skills acquisition through physicians' belief that communication with patients may be controlled by physicians themselves. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley [less ▲]

Physicians' patient-centeredness. An empirical evidence of the benefits of a communication skills training program.

Diverse speeche and writing (2010)

Purpose. In oncology today, patient-centeredness is an important goal. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a basic communication skills training program (assessment skills included open ... [more ▼]

Purpose. In oncology today, patient-centeredness is an important goal. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a basic communication skills training program (assessment skills included open questions, open directive questions and assessment questions and supportive skills included acknowledgment, empathy, negotiation and synthesis) on the association between physicians¿ use of assessment and supportive skills and patients¿ characteristics, that is, to test patient-centeredness. Methods. Communication skills included assessment and supportive skills and were assessed during a consultation before and after a basic communication skills training program. Consultations were audio-recorded and transcribed. Assessment and supportive skills were rated according to the Cancer Research Campaign Workshop Evaluation Manual. Patients¿ characteristics were categorized as sociodemographic, socioprofessional, physical and psychological and were measured before and after the Basic Training Program. Results. Sixty-three physicians were included. Before the Basic Training Program, physicians¿ supportive skills were associated with two patient sociodemographic characteristics: age and marital status. After the Basic Training Program, physicians¿ assessment skills were associated with two patient psychological characteristics: global state of Quality of Life and global goal of Quality of Life. Discussion. This study showed that physicians¿ patient-centeredness can be improved with a Basic Training Program. Surprisingly, after the Basic Training Program, physicians focused more on patients' psychological characteristics and specifically on Quality of Life. There is a transfer of assessment skills to the clinical practice. This could approve adherence to medication and satisfaction. [less ▲]

Physico-chemical and electrochemical properties of Pt/carbon xerogel catalysts prepared by the SEA method. Poster présenté par A. Zubiaur

Poster (2012, June)

Physico-chemical and morphological properties of current particulated biomaterials used in alveolar bone augmentations: a review.

in Journal of Osteology and Biomaterials (2011), 2

The efficacy of grafting materials for alveolar bone regeneration procedures has been repeatedly corroborated by clinical and scientific evidence. Although an ever growing number of biomaterials are ... [more ▼]

The efficacy of grafting materials for alveolar bone regeneration procedures has been repeatedly corroborated by clinical and scientific evidence. Although an ever growing number of biomaterials are available on the market, the origins, material characteristics, bioactivity and osteoconductive properties of these products are not always known by clinicians, hence often hampering an adequate product selection. The purpose of this contribution was to provide an overview of five different types of osteoconductive grafting materials frequently used in dentistry (Bio-Oss®, Cerasorb M™, Bone Ceramic®, Natix®, Genos®) and to summarize their physico-chemical and morphological characteristics at the macro- and micro-scale. Furthermore, the influence of these properties on the in vivo behaviour of these biomaterials is discussed. The results of this study are presented as data sheets, which may prove helpful for clinicians in the design of their treatment strategies. [less ▲]

Physico-chemical characterization of new polyhydroxyburates (PHB).

Poster (2009, April 01)