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Different Options (different + option)
Selected AbstractsLife-Cycle Assessment of Biosolids Processing OptionsJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Gregory M. Peters Summary Biosolids, also known as sewage sludge, are reusable organic materials separated from sewage during treatment. They can be managed in a variety of ways. Different options for biosolids handling in Sydney, Australia, are compared in this study using life-cycle assessment. Two key comparisons are made: of system scenarios (scenario 1 is local dewatering and lime amendment; scenario 2 is a centralized drying system) and of technologies (thermal drying versus lime amendment). The environmental issues addressed are energy consumption, global warming potential (GWP), and human toxicity potential (HTP). Scenario 2 would consume 24% more energy than scenario 1. This is due to the additional electricity for pumping and particularly the petrochemical methane that supplements biogas in the drier. A centralized system using the same technologies as scenario 1 has approximately the same impacts. The GWP and HTP of the different scenarios do not differ significantly. The assessment of technology choices shows significant differences. The ample supply of endogenous biogas at North Head sewage treatment plant for the drying option allows reductions, relative to the lime-amendment option, of 68% in energy consumption, 45% in GWP, and 23% in HTP. Technology choices have more significant influence on the environmental profile of biosolids processing than does the choice of system configurations. Controlling variables for environmental improvement are the selection of biogas fuel, avoidance of coalsourced electrical energy, minimization of trucking distances, and raising the solids content of biosolids products. [source] Endobronchial atypical mycobacteria in an immunocompetent childPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 5 2010G. del Rio Camacho MD Abstract Endobronchial granulomas in children are mainly caused by mycobacterial infections. In addition to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, other organisms such as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged. These organisms cause a broad spectrum of pulmonary diseases. An isolated endobronchial NTM infection in a child is reported. After bronchoscopic removal, a decision not to add drug treatment was made, with satisfactory results. Treatment options are not well established in children and remain a source of controversy. Different options are discussed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:511,513. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Gauge/string duality in confining theoriesFORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 7 2006J.D. Edelstein Abstract This is the content of a set of lectures given at the "XIII Jorge André Swieca Summer School on Particles and Fields", Campos do Jordão, Brazil in January 2005. They intend to be a basic introduction to the topic of gauge/gravity duality in confining theories. We start by reviewing some key aspects of the low energy physics of non-Abelian gauge theories. Then, we present the basics of the AdS/CFT correspondence and its extension both to gauge theories in different spacetime dimensions with sixteen supercharges and to more realistic situations with less supersymmetry. We discuss the different options of interest: placing D,branes at singularities and wrapping D,branes in calibrated cycles of special holonomy manifolds. We finally present an outline of a number of non-perturbative phenomena in non-Abelian gauge theories as seen from supergravity. [source] Don't Leave Me Hanging on the Anglophone: The Potential for Online Distance Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific RegionHIGHER EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 2-3 2004Simon MarginsonArticle first published online: 9 DEC 200 Abstract In the last decade there have been many attempts to mount online distance higher education programs on a global scale, led by the e-learning industry and university companies and consortia, some with government support: e.g. Universitas21 Global, Cardean University, Fathom, NYUOnline and the UKe-University. A primary commercial objective has been student markets in the Asia-Pacific nations, especially China, given unmet domestic demand and the growth of cross-border education. However while for-profit providers such as the University of Phoenix Online have shown mass online programs are viable in targeted markets, albeit more expensive than face-to-face programs, would-be global ventures have faltered or collapsed. The paper reviews the failure of English language global e-learning in the light of industry marketing strategies, the economics of online education, and the specifics of Asia-Pacific nations including unmet demand for education. It argues that for exporter universities, the potential of cross-border online education can only be realised if communications capacity in the Asia-Pacific nations is enhanced; and online programs are teaching-intensive, and customised for cultural and linguistic variations. Long-term equal partnerships with local and system providers are essential. For policy makers, the implosion of global e-learning points to the need to use expert judgment in relation to the different options for enhancing the capacity of higher education at home and abroad. It also suggests the need for greater scepticism about commercially driven scenarios and claims of company prospectuses, and about the viability of market-controlled paths of development. [source] Coupling between shallow water and solute flow equations: analysis and management of source terms in 2DINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 3 2005J. Murillo Abstract A two-dimensional model for the simulation of solute transport by convection and diffusion into shallow water flow over variable bottom is presented. It is based on a finite volume method over triangular unstructured grids. A first order upwind technique is applied to solve the flux terms in both the flow and solute equations and the bed slope source terms and a centred discretization is applied to the diffusion and friction terms. The convenience of considering the fully coupled system of equations is indicated and the methodology is well explained. Three options are suggested and compared in order to deal with the diffusion terms. Some comparisons are carried out in order to show the performance in terms of accuracy and computational effort of the different options. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Spatial relationships between intensive land cover and residual plant species diversity in temperate farmed landscapesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2006SIMON M. SMART Summary 1In temperate farmed landscapes conservation policies increasingly emphasize large-scale reductions in land-use intensity. Yet despite a managed reversion to more favourable abiotic conditions, depleted regional species pools may prevent the re-assembly of target communities. 2Using national-scale survey data recorded across Great Britain in 1998, we investigated the extent to which grassland indicator plant species persisted on potential refuge habitats across a spatial gradient of intensive land cover in lowland 1-km squares. These habitats comprised road verges, field boundaries, watercourse banks and small biotope fragments. Intensive land cover comprised built land, arable and improved grassland. 3The rate of reduction in indicator species richness across the intensive land cover gradient was significantly lower in all potential refuge features than in surrounding fields and larger areas of habitat. 4The best refuge locations were watercourse banks and small biotopes. In both cases, indicator species richness was higher than adjacent fields at the lowest intensive land cover and stayed higher as intensive land cover increased. 5However, as intensive land cover increased, plant traits associated with higher nutrient availability were more prominently represented among indicator species. 6Although richer assemblages of indicator species persisted on refuge features, population sizes are likely to be small, because of species,area effects, and also vulnerable to nutrient surpluses and reduced or inappropriate disturbance. 7Synthesis and applications. Across the British lowlands, linear landscape features and small habitat fragments can provide limited safe havens for unimproved grassland plant species. However, the identity of refuge features and their species richness and composition are likely to vary with local conditions. Three activities are therefore paramount in assessing their role in larger scale extensification schemes: (i) development of rapid ways of assessing the plant diversity and distribution of refuge features in local areas; (ii) quantification of the risks posed to the viability of residual source populations through implementation of different options for incorporating them into extensification schemes; (iii) maximization of scheme performance by targeting landscapes with sufficient residual diversity to enable increases in population size of the target species in the medium term. [source] CASE REPORT: Hyperlipoproteinaemia(a): which is the optimal therapy?JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010A case report Summary This case report presents the clinical history of a patient with elevated lipoprotein(a) and small size isoform, associated with mixed hyperlipaemia, which was probably familial combined hyperlipaemia. After premature myocardial infarction, the subject was treated with fibrates. Niacin was started after recurrence. One year ago, after another episode of acute coronary syndrome, rosuvastatin was added to niacin. The atherogenicity of this lipid disorder, along with the different options for therapy is discussed. [source] Stakeholder Perspectives about Marine Oil Spill Response Objectives: A Comparative Q Study of Four RegionsJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Seth Tuler Marine oil spills can cause major social, economic, and ecological disruptions. Spill response managers must weigh different options and objectives when deciding what to do. We investigated the ways in which preferences for spill response objectives vary among those who are responsible for oil spill contingency planning and response in Buzzards Bay, Delaware Bay, San Francisco Bay, and Washington State regions. We begin this paper with a discussion of the research method used in the study: the Q method. In Buzzards Bay, Delaware Bay, and San Francisco Bay three perspectives were identified in each case. In Washington State, two perspectives were identified. An analysis of the 11 case-specific perspectives reveals that they can be described by four ,composite' perspectives that describe how different stakeholders prioritize spill response objectives. These four perspectives are compared on several themes, including the emphasis they placed on mitigating economic impacts, protecting health and safety, mitigating ecological impacts, implementing a coordinated and timely response, addressing the needs and concerns of the affected public/communities, gaining public support for the response, mitigating cultural impacts, and mitigating social nuisance impacts. The implications for spill response planning and spill response evaluation are discussed. [source] Economic analysis of different options in integrated pest and soil fertility management in maize systems of Western KenyaAGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 5 2010Hugo De Groote Abstract The major biotic constraints to the production of maize, the major staple food in Western Kenya, are field pests such as,Striga,and stem borers, and low soil fertility. To counter these constraints, new cropping systems have been developed, including "push-pull," rotations with promiscuous soybean varieties and green manure crops, and imidazolinone resistant- (IR-) maize. To analyze the technical and economic performance of these technologies, both with and without fertilizer, on-farm researcher-managed long-term trials were implemented over six seasons in two sites each in Vihiga and Siaya districts of Western Kenya. The economic results, based on marginal analysis using a multioutput, multiperiod model, show that the new cropping systems with fodder intercropping (push-pull) or soybean rotations were highly profitable. Push-pull is more profitable but requires a relatively high initial investment cost. Green manure rotation, IR-maize, and fertilizer all increased yields, but these investments were generally not justified by their increased revenue. We argue that research on rotation and cropping systems to tackle pest and soil fertility problems in Africa deserve more attention. This will require increased collaboration between agronomists and economists to set up long-term experiments with new cropping systems to develop proper economic models. [source] Variation in identifying neonatal percutaneous central venous line positionJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 9-10 2004DE Odd Objective: The study objective was to obtain data on interpretation, including intra and interobserver variation and action taken for a given line tip location, for a series of radiographs demonstrating neonatal long lines. Methods: Nineteen radiographs taken to identify line tip position were digitized and published on an internet site. One film was included twice in order to assess intraobserver variation giving a total of 20 images. Fourteen used radio-opaque contrast and five no contrast. Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network members and National Women's Hospital NICU staff were invited to participate in the study. For each radiograph, participants were asked to identify if long line tip could be identified, the likely anatomical position and desired action. Interobserver agreement was assessed by the maximum proportion of agreement per radiograph and by the number of different options selected. Intraobserver agreement was assessed by comparing the two reports from the duplicate radiograph. Results: Twenty-seven responses were received. Overall, 50% of the reports stated that the long line tips could be identified. The most commonly reported position was in the right atrium (31%) and most commonly reported action was to pull the line back (53%). The median agreement of whether the line was seen was 68%, agreement on position 62% and agreement on action 86%. On analysis of intraobserver variability, from the identical radiographs, 27% of respondents differed on whether the line tip could be visualized. Conclusion: Interobserver and intraobserver reliability was poor when using radiographs to assess long line tips. The major determinant of line repositioning was the perceived location. [source] Biological, pharmaceutical, and analytical considerations with respect to the transport media used in the absorption screening system, Caco-2JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 8 2003Françoise M. Ingels Abstract During the evaluation and selection of drug candidates, the Caco-2 cell culture system is commonly used for the determination of intestinal transport characteristics and to anticipate permeability limited drug absorption. Although classic HBSS-like buffered salt solutions are commonly used to perform Caco-2 transport experiments, different shortcomings (e.g., adsorption and low solubility) have been associated with the use of plain aqueous buffers. As transport experiments performed with unoptimized conditions may compromize the value of the Caco-2 model as a permeation screening tool, many efforts have been made to optimize the experimental conditions of Caco-2 transport assays. In this minireview, the hurdles associated with the use of saline aqueous buffers in Caco-2 transport experiments are summarized and the different options, which have been proposed to overcome these issues, are reviewed and discussed. Biologically, pharmaceutically, as well as analytically relevant media affecting the outcome of the transport experiments are described. Unfortunately, up to now, no systematic studies comparing the different experimental conditions have been performed, jeopardizing the possibility to define a (single) optimal solution to overcome the different issues associated with the use of saline aqueous buffers. Based on the reported options it can be proposed to use DMSO (,1%) in standard screening procedures for the ranking of compounds based on their apical to basolateral transport. If compounds are not soluble in DMSO 1%, dimethylacetamide (3%) or N -1-methyl-pyrrolidone (2.5%) are good alternatives. However, these options do not imitate the in vivo situation. If one wants to take into account the physiological relevance of the media, the use of a biologically relevant apical medium (e.g., FASSIF) in combination with an analytically friendly, sink condition creating basolateral solvent (e.g., containing a micelle forming agent) can be suggested. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:1545,1558, 2003 [source] Consumer benefits and acceptance of genetically modified foodJOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Issue 3-4 2005John G. Knight Much of the resistance towards genetically modified foods appears to stem from public perceptions that they offer no consumer benefits. In order to test whether clearly defined consumer benefits would change behaviour, a purchasing experiment has been conducted in New Zealand, where the genetically modified issue has been highly politicized. Cherries labelled as spray free-genetically modified, organic or conventional were offered for sale in a roadside stall, with price levels manipulated to test price sensitivity of the different options. Approximately 27% of consumers proved willing to purchase genetically modified labelled cherries when all three types were priced at the prevailing market price, and this market share increased to 60% when the price was discounted by 15% and organic was priced at a 15% premium. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Dimensions of reengineering environment infrastructuresJOURNAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND EVOLUTION: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, Issue 5 2003S. Ducasse Abstract Over the last decade many research groups and commercial companies have been developing reengineering environments. However, many design decisions such as support for multiple models, incremental loading of information, tool integration, entity grouping, and their impacts on the underlying meta-model and resulting environment have remained implicit. Based on the experience accumulated while developing the Moose reengineering environment and on a survey of reengineering environments, we present a design space defined by a set of criteria that makes explicit the different options and especially their dependencies and trade-offs. Using this design space, developers of future environments should have a better understanding of the problems they face and the impact of design choices. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Improvement of thermooxidative stability of non-edible vegetable oils of Indian origin for biodegradable lubricant applicationLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010P. V. Joseph Abstract For environmental reasons, as well as the dwindling source of petroleum, a new class of environmentally acceptable and renewable lubricants based on vegetable oils is available. Even though vegetable oils possess excellent lubricant-related properties, there are some concerns about using it as lubricant base oil. Still, unmodified and modified varieties of soybean, rapeseed, sunflower and canola oils have been in use in the USA and Europe. In India, with the shortage of edible oil, alternate sources of vegetable oils stocks are being explored. With this aim, a comprehensive study has been conducted earlier in the authors' laboratory. In this study, numerous options of non-edible vegetable oil sources were explored, and a few potential vegetable oils were studied in the laboratory. It was found that even though the oils performed much better in comparison with other vegetable oils, it still required improvement in thermooxidative stability. Therefore, in the later part of the study, different options were explored to improve thermooxidative stability. With a background on the initial studies of the authors as described above, the present paper deals with the studies on improvement of these non-edible candidate vegetable oils of Indian origin for lubricant by treating with selected antioxidants for applying them in lubricants. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prescribing patterns of antiparkinsonian agents in Europe,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 8 2010Mário Miguel Rosa MD Abstract In the 1990s, previous knowledge and randomized controlled trials supported the establishment of today's therapeutic recommendations in Parkinson's disease (PD). Scientific evidence allows different options for the treatment of PD. Patterns of use of antiparkinsonian agents (APA) across European countries may thus reflect these options. We wanted to describe patterns of use of APA in Europe and characterize the changes in prescription habits between 2003 and 2007. We investigated APA outpatient sales in 26 European countries where all commercially available APA were studied. Data for molecules and brand names were collected through IMS Health. Treatment per 1000 inhabitants daily (DID) was obtained from the WHO defined daily dose. Prescription pattern changes were evaluated by market share. Prescription patterns varied widely. In most countries, levodopa/dopamine agonists accounted for half of the drug use; whereas in others, anticholinergics, MAO inhibitors and amantadine prevailed. The greatest increase occurred with monoamine oxidase inhibitors and levodopa. There was an increase in dopamine agonists and a decrease in anticholinergics. For a 6.8% dose consume increase, there was a 41.1% sales increase (in euros). We showed an increase in the consumption of APA over 5 years. There was significant heterogeneity in the use of APA in Europe, suggesting differences in drug treatment. Costs of medication increased more than did dose consume, implying an increase in the cost of individual patient treatment. Published evidence does not explain the observed differences in the prescribing of APA. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society [source] Metaphors for Navigating NegotiationsNEGOTIATION JOURNAL, Issue 3 2005Thomas H. Smith A metaphor operates covertly to gain tacit agreement on direction, means, and ends without full description or rationale. It constrains a discussion, focusing on certain concerns while masking others. Becoming consciously aware of the metaphors commonly used during negotiation offers valuable insights into meanings not overtly discussed. This awareness helps reveal intentions and implicit evaluations while also illuminating obvious areas for mutual gain. It suggests ways to reinforce rapport, to persevere in negotiating, to reflect and query usefully, and to explore and propose different options. Drawing on the large body of applied metaphor research, including conceptual metaphor theory, several structural properties of metaphor are explained. Their usefulness in detecting metaphors, elaborating how metaphors map issues being discussed, and unpacking meaning is illustrated using excerpts from a negotiation case transcript. This article argues that when a negotiator becomes conscious of such metaphors, more options become available for intelligent exploration. [source] Alternatives for measuring the unexplained wage gapNEW DIRECTIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 115 2002Robert K. Toukoushian This chapter examines the different options that are available to analysts for measuring pay disparaties, how they relate to one another, and their advantages and disadvantages. [source] Patients' preferences in the evaluation of postmenopausal bleedingBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 9 2007A Timmermans Objective, To assess patients' preferences for diagnostic management of postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). Design, A structured interview. Setting, A teaching hospital with office hysteroscopy facilities. Population, Thirty-nine women with PMB and with a completed work-up including an office hysteroscopy. Methods, A structured interview was taken from 39 women who had had an office hysteroscopy in the diagnostic work-up for PMB. Women were informed about the probability of endometrial carcinoma versus benign disease and about advantages and disadvantages of different diagnostic strategies, i.e. expectant management after ultrasound or complete diagnostic work-up, including invasive procedures. Main outcome measures, Women were informed about the probability of endometrial carcinoma versus benign disease and about advantages and disadvantages of different diagnostic strategies, i.e., expectant management after ultrasound or complete diagnostic work-up including invasive procedures. Women were asked to make a trade-off between different options. Results, Most women wanted to be 100% certain that carcinoma could be ruled out. Only 5% of the women were willing to accept more than 5% risk of false reassurance. If the risk of recurrent bleeding due to benign disease exceeded 25%, the majority of women would prefer immediate diagnosis and treatment of benign lesions. Conclusion, Women with PMB are prepared to undergo hysteroscopy to rule out any risk on cancer. This finding implicates that the measurement of endometrial thickness with transvaginal ultrasound as a first-line test in the assessment of PMB should be reconsidered. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||