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Early Findings (early + finding)
Selected AbstractsIntroduction: Contours of a Research Project and Early FindingsIDS BULLETIN, Issue 6 2007Peter P. Houtzager First page of article [source] The Capacity of Community-Based Organizations to Lead Local Innovations in Welfare Reform: Early Findings from TexasNONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, Issue 3 2002Dennis L. Poole Community-based organizations (CBOs) are now cast among the lead actors in welfare reform. But do they have adequate capacity to perform this critical leadership function? Early findings from fifteen state-funded projects in Texas show that state planners must carefully assess the capacity of a CBO to initiate and sustain an innovation at the local level. The authors examine six organizational variables that predict success or failure: goals, management, technology, funding, community involvement, and performance. [source] Early findings in comparison of AMSR-E/Aqua L3 global snow water equivalent EASE-grids data with in situ observations for Eastern TurkeyHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 15 2008A. Emre Tekeli Abstract Microwave remote sensing (RS) enables the direct determination of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is an important snow parameter for water resources management. The accuracy of remotely sensed SWE values has always been a concern. Previous studies evaluated global SWE monitoring. However, regional effects such as vegetation, snow grain size, snow density and local meteorological conditions may lead to uncertainties. Thus, regional validation studies that quantify and help to understand these uncertainties and possible error sources are important both for algorithm development and accurate SWE computation. In this study, data of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E)/Aqua level 3 global SWE Equal Area Scalable Earth (EASE) Grids are compared with ground measurements for 2002,2003 winter period for Eastern Turkey, which includes the headwaters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and is fed largely from snowmelt. Thus, accurate determination of SWE is important in optimum resource management for both Turkey and downstream nations. Analyses indicated that AMSR-E generally overestimated SWE in early season. As winter progressed, higher in situ SWE values with respect to AMSR-E were observed which led to underestimation by AMSR-E. The differences between AMSR-E and in situ SWE varied between , 218 and 93 mm. Use of in situ snow densities lead the correlation coefficient between AMSR-E and in situ SWE to increase from 0·10 to 0·32. Underestimation of SWE by AMSR-E occurs after some warm periods, while overestimations occur following refreezing. On rainy days or some days after precipitation within the warm periods, zero AMSR-E SWE values are observed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Maternal limit-setting in toddlerhood: Socialization strategies for the development of self-regulationINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006Elizabeth LeCuyer Early findings from the Prohibition Coding Scheme (PCS; Houck & LeCuyer, 1995; LeCuyer-Maus & Houck, 2002; Medvin & Spieker, 1985) revealed that maternal limit-setting styles with toddlers were differentially related to later child social competence, self-concept, and delay of gratification. For this study, the PCS was revised to provide more information about the specific strategies mothers used during limit-setting in relation to those outcomes. Results from the PCS-Revised (PCS-R; LeCuyer & Houck, 2004) included that the more time mothers spent actively distracting their toddlers away from a prohibited object during limit-setting, as early as 12 months, the longer their children could delay gratification at age 5 years. Mothers who spent more time sensitively following and being engaged in their toddler's own interests (other than the prohibited object), again as early as 12 months, had more socially competent children with more developed self-concepts at age 3 years. Maternal use of reasoning statements later in toddlerhood also related to higher levels of social competence. Maternal limits and prohibitions were not related to these outcomes, and appeared to contribute to the development of self-regulation mainly by creating the opportunity for the use of other, less directive strategies. The findings indicate that these strategies may be important to include in intervention programs for the promotion of toddler and child development of self-regulation. [source] Scaling up CBOs for second-order devolution in welfare reformNONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, Issue 4 2003Dennis L. Poole The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 created a paradigm shift in the financing, organization, and delivery of welfare programs in the United States. The act shifted revenue and authority to states, giving them great discretion to determine the specifics of their programs. First-order devolution, combined with time limits and work requirements, set in motion a chain of events that moved Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients into the labor force and off state welfare rolls. Second-order devolution shifted revenue and authority to community-based organizations (CBOs) to help former recipients remain employed, advance to higher paying jobs, and move their families toward economic self-sufficiency. Early findings from project innovations in Texas and other states raise doubts about the capacity of these organizations to achieve these goals. State funders will need to provide ongoing technical assistance and support to "scale up" the capacity of CBOs to plan, implement, and manage local innovations in welfare reform. [source] The Capacity of Community-Based Organizations to Lead Local Innovations in Welfare Reform: Early Findings from TexasNONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, Issue 3 2002Dennis L. Poole Community-based organizations (CBOs) are now cast among the lead actors in welfare reform. But do they have adequate capacity to perform this critical leadership function? Early findings from fifteen state-funded projects in Texas show that state planners must carefully assess the capacity of a CBO to initiate and sustain an innovation at the local level. The authors examine six organizational variables that predict success or failure: goals, management, technology, funding, community involvement, and performance. [source] Early Electrophysiological Changes In Transgenic Rat Model Of Charcot-Marie-ToothJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2001M Grandis Recently, a reliable transgenic rat model of human Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 A has been developed. So far, neurophysiological studies have been performed only in advanced stages of rat disease. Moreover, axonal involvement, which is known to occur in human CMT1A, has never been observed in this rat model. Affected rats show overexpression of Peripheral Myelin Protein (PMP-22) and a peripheral hypomyelinating neuropathy. We perfomed an electrophysiological study in two heterozygous PMP-22 transgenic rats and in one normal control, matched for age (3 weeks) and weight (average: 60 g). Recordings were performed in vivo by stimulating the sciatic nerve at both sciatic notch and ankle sites and recording the Hoffman reflex and direct muscle responses (CMAP). The H-reflex related SNCV and MNCV were calculated by measuring the distance between the sciatic notch and the ankle sites and the respective latencies. The two transgenic rats showed different levels of PMP-22 overexpression, as judged by quantitative PCR. The rat with a lower PMP-22 gene level showed a 30% reduction of MNCV compared to the normal control, while SNCV was not reduced. The CMAP was sized approximately 45% of the normal rat while the ratio between H wave amplitude and CMAP was 30% of the normal, the H wave amplitude being more affected than the CMAP. The action potentials in the rat with a higher transgene level were not recordable. Our data demonstrate that slowing of MNCV is an early finding in the CMT1A rat model. The marked reduction of H wave amplitude in front of a normal SNCV suggests a possible early axonal damage of sensory fibers. The entity of electrophysiological compromission positively correlated with the number of copies for PMP-22 gene. All together these considerations prove the sensitivity of this method, however further studies are needed to confirm these results and to prove that this model may be suitable to investigate the effects of therapeutic approaches. [source] A spot test for detection of cobalt release , early experience and findingsCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2010Jacob P. Thyssen Background: It is often difficult to establish clinical relevance of metal exposure in cobalt-allergic patients. Dermatologists and patients may incorrectly assume that many metallic items release cobalt at levels that may cause cobalt dermatitis. Cobalt-allergic patients may be unaware that they are exposed to cobalt from handling work items, causing hand dermatitis. Objectives: To present early findings with a newly developed cobalt spot test. Methods and Results: A cobalt spot test based on disodium-1-nitroso-2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonate was able to identify cobalt release at 8.3 ppm. The test may also be used as a gel test if combined with an agar preparation. We found no false-positive reactions when testing metals and alloys known not to contain cobalt. However, one cobalt-containing alloy, which elicited cobalt dermatitis in cobalt-allergic patients, was negative upon cobalt gel testing. Conclusions: The cobalt test detects amounts of cobalt release that approximate the elicitation concentration seen in cobalt-allergic patients. It may serve as a useful tool in dermatology offices and workplaces. [source] Nestling coloration is adjusted to parent visual performance in altricial birds irrespective of assumptions on vision system for Laniidae and owls, a reply to Renoult et al.JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010J. M. AVILÉS Abstract We have recently published support to the hypothesis that visual systems of parents could affect nestling detectability and, consequently, influences the evolution of nestling colour designs in altricial birds. We provided comparative evidence of an adjustment of nestling colour designs to the visual system of parents that we have found in a comparative study on 22 altricial bird species. In this issue, however, Renoult et al. (J. Evol. Biol., 2009) question some of the assumptions and statistical approaches in our study. Their argumentation relied on two major points: (1) an incorrect assignment of vision system to four out of 22 sampled species in our study; and (2) the use of an incorrect approach for phylogenetic correction of the predicted associations. Here, we discuss in detail re-assignation of vision systems in that study and propose alternative interpretation for current knowledge on spectrophotometric data of avian pigments. We reanalysed the data by using phylogenetic generalized least squares analyses that account for the alluded limitations of phylogenetically independent contrasts and, in accordance with the hypothesis, confirmed a significant influence of parental visual system on gape coloration. Our results proved to be robust to the assumptions on visual system evolution for Laniidae and nocturnal owls that Renoult et al. (J. Evol. Biol., 2009) study suggested may have flawed our early findings. Thus, the hypothesis that selection has resulted in increased detectability of nestling by adjusting gape coloration to parental visual systems is currently supported by our comparative data. [source] Is Helicobacter pylori related to endothelial dysfunction during childhood?PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2008Senol Coskun Abstract Background: Helicobacter pylori infection has been proposed to have a role in the development of atherosclerosis preceded by endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to determine if a relationship exists between H. pylori infection in childhood and endothelial dysfunction and level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Methods: Between October 2003 and November 2004, 28 subjects who were anti- H. pylori IgG-positive and 25 who were anti- H. pylori IgG-negative were included in the study. Mean ages of the H. pylori -positive and negative groups were not significantly different. Endothelial functions were evaluated on Doppler ultrasonography of the brachial artery. Percent ratio of the change in systolic diameter during hyperemic phase to the basal diameter was evaluated. Each subject's serum was tested for hsCRP, homocysteine and lipids. Results: Percent ratio of the change in systolic diameters during hyperemic phase to the basal diameter was not significantly different between the H. pylori -negative and -positive groups (P > 0.29). Mean levels of hsCRP were also not significantly different (1.48 ± 1.8 g/dL vs 2.35 ± 3.33 g/dL; P > 0.24). Similarly, serum levels of lipids and homocysteine were not significantly different (P > 0.05 for all lipids). Conclusions: Non-invasive techniques used in the present study were not indicative of early findings of atherosclerosis in H. pylori infection during childhood. Further studies are required to evaluate the relationship between early endothelial dysfunction and H. pylori infection in children with cardiovascular risk factors. [source] Integrating children's services to promote children's welfare: early findings from the implementation of children's trusts in EnglandCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 6 2006Margaret O'Brien Abstract As part of the reform of English children's services, children's trust pathfinders were launched in 2003 by the British government to promote greater inter-agency co-operation between children's services and professionals. This paper reports on early findings from a multi-method, longitudinal national evaluation of the implementation and impact of all 35 children's trust pathfinders. Using data from a 2004 survey of 35 children's trusts managers and in-depth interviews with 107 professionals conducted in 2005, results show strong endorsement of an integrated children's service vision. However, arrangements for co-operation on governance and strategic developments were more advanced than for procedural or frontline professional practice. In this transitional period, professionals were negotiating a balance between targeted and universal service provision and, concurrently, establishing the scope of formal strategic partnership bodies (including local safeguarding children boards) with potentially overlapping remits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS): an integrated system for measuring dental cariesCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007A. I. Ismail Abstract,,, This paper describes early findings of evaluations of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) conducted by the Detroit Center for Research on Oral Health Disparities (DCR-OHD). The lack of consistency among the contemporary criteria systems limits the comparability of outcomes measured in epidemiological and clinical studies. The ICDAS criteria were developed by an international team of caries researchers to integrate several new criteria systems into one standard system for caries detection and assessment. Using ICDAS in the DCR-OHD cohort study, dental examiners first determined whether a clean and dry tooth surface is sound, sealed, restored, crowned, or missing. Afterwards, the examiners classified the carious status of each tooth surface using a seven-point ordinal scale ranging from sound to extensive cavitation. Histological examination of extracted teeth found increased likelihood of carious demineralization in dentin as the ICDAS codes increased in severity. The criteria were also found to have discriminatory validity in analyses of social, behavioral and dietary factors associated with dental caries. The reliability of six examiners to classify tooth surfaces by their ICDAS carious status ranged between good to excellent (kappa coefficients ranged between 0.59 and 0.82). While further work is still needed to define caries activity, validate the criteria and their reliability in assessing dental caries on smooth surfaces, and develop a classification system for assessing preventive and restorative treatment needs, this early evaluation of the ICDAS platform has found that the system is practical; has content validity, correlational validity with histological examination of pits and fissures in extracted teeth; and discriminatory validity. [source] | |||||||||||||