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Recent Trends (recent + trend)
Selected AbstractsAN ASSESSMENT OF RECENT TRENDS IN GIRLS' VIOLENCE USING DIVERSE LONGITUDINAL SOURCES: IS THE GENDER GAP CLOSING?CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 2 2005DARRELL STEFFENSMEIER Applying Dickey-Fuller time series techniques in tandem with intuitive plot-displays, we examine recent trends in girls' violence and the gender gap as reported in four major sources of longitudinal data on youth violence. These sources are arrest statistics of the Uniform Crime Reports, victimization data of the National Crime Victimization Survey (where the victim identifies sex of offender) and self-reported violent behavior of Monitoring the Future and National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We find that the rise in girls' violence over the past one to two decades as counted in police arrest data from the Uniform Crime Reports is not borne out in unofficial longitudinal sources. Several net-widening policy shifts have apparently escalated girls' arrest-proneness: first, stretching definitions of violence to include more minor incidents that girls in relative terms are more likely to commit; second, increased policing of violence between intimates and in private settings (for example, home, school) where girls' violence is more widespread; and, third, less tolerant family and societal attitudes toward juvenile females. These developments reflect both a growing intolerance of violence in the law and among the citizenry and an expanded application of preventive punishment and risk management strategies that emphasize early identification and enhanced formal control of problem individuals or groups, particularly problem youth. [source] RECENT TRENDS IN AUSTRALIAN BANKINGECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue S1 2006KEITH HALL This paper discusses the performance of Australian banks over the past decade, focusing on the forces that have shaped bank strategies and outcomes. The robust Australian economy and associated demand for credit, particularly from the household sector, have been significant drivers of bank success. Intensifying competition in lending and deposits has also played a role, manifesting itself largely as price pressure, but also spurring product innovation and the easing of lending standards. While the combination of these forces has allowed bank balance sheets to grow rapidly, the sector has remained well capitalised and has low levels of non-performing assets. [source] SCHOLARLY COLLABORATION AND PRODUCTIVITY PATTERNS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: ANALYSING RECENT TRENDSPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 3 2010ELIZABETH A. CORLEY Previous studies have confirmed the interdisciplinary nature of the field of public administration (Mosher 1956; Ventriss 1991; Forrester 1996; Rodgers and Rodgers 2000; Schroeder et al. 2004) and encouraged the exploration of one important indicator of interdisciplinarity: research collaboration. One way that collaboration patterns are explored is through the study of co-authorship among faculty members (Smart and Bayer 1986; Forrester 1996; Katz and Martin 1997). In the field of public administration, studies on co-authorship and productivity of scholars are sparse. In this article, we use bibliometric data to explore collaboration patterns as they relate to productivity levels and quality of publications within the field of public administration. Our study finds that more productive scholars, as well as those with the highest impact, are less likely to collaborate than their colleagues. Our results also indicate that there are gender differences in collaboration patterns and productivity within the field of public administration. [source] Recent Trends in Cosmetic and Surgical Procedure Volumes in Dermatologic SurgeryDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 9 2009EMILY P. TIERNEY MD BACKGROUND The number of cosmetic and noncosmetic surgical procedures performed by dermatologic surgeons has been rising rapidly, but there are few consistent data sources allowing procedure volumes to be tracked over time. METHODS American Society for Dermatologic Surgery member survey in 2001 to 2007 reporting cosmetic and noncosmetic procedural volumes (300,500 surgeons surveyed, response rate of 31,44%). RESULTS In 2001, dermatologic surgeons performed an estimated 3.4 million cosmetic and noncosmetic surgical procedures; in 2007, it was estimated that a total of 7.6 million procedures were performed (120.2% rate of growth between 2001 and 2007). The procedures with the greatest increase during this time period were soft tissue augmentation (405.0% increase), botulinum toxin injections (324.4% increase), and nonablative skin rejuvenation (laser, light, and radiofrequency sources) (330.7% increase). More modest increases were noted in skin cancer procedures (85.8% increase) and ablative resurfacing procedures (66.8% increase). CONCLUSION The magnitude of growth in procedural volumes over the last 8 years reflects the advancements in dermatologic surgery in treatments for skin cancer and in treatment of photoaging and cosmetic enhancement of the skin. [source] Electroanalytical Applications of Microporous Zeolites and Mesoporous (Organo)Silicas: Recent TrendsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 7 2008Alain WalcariusArticle first published online: 10 MAR 200 Abstract Microporous zeolites and ordered mesoporous (organo)silicas have been widely used as electrode modifiers because of their attractive properties (ion exchange and size selectivity of zeolites, well ordered nanoreactors containing a high number of widely accessible active centers in mesoporous (organo)silicas). These properties have been intelligently combined to selected redox processes to improve the response of the resulting modified electrodes or to design novel electrochemical detection schemes. This up-to-date review provides the recent advances made in the electroanalytical applications of zeolite modified electrodes and discusses the interest of ordered mesoporous (organo)silica materials in electroanalysis. [source] Rural Youth Migration Trends in Australia: an Overview of Recent Trends and Two Inland Case StudiesGEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008NEIL ARGENT Abstract Much of what has been written on the topic of Australian rural youth migration trends and processes has often proceeded from data-free, or data-poor grounds. In this context, this paper analyses recent trends in youth (15 to 24 years of age) migration for a temporally-consistent set of Statistical Divisions (SDs) in inland rural Australia, and for local government areas within the Northern Tablelands and Slopes and Ranges of northern New South Wales and the Western Australian Central Wheatbelt. The paper finds that rates of youth loss from rural regions have increased over the past twenty years. Yet the patterns, processes, causes and impacts of rural youth migration are distributed in a spatially-uneven fashion. Some remote areas are receiving net migration gains while booming ,sea change' coastal regions have experienced heavy losses. While the ,flight to the bright city lights' syndrome is evident, relatively high proportions of young people in the Northern SD of NSW move within their immediate region. Nevertheless, some common understandings concerning youth mobility were also confirmed. Gender differentials in migration propensity between women and men are evident even at quite local scales. Young people are also more likely to search out capital cities than the rest of the population. Most inland areas still continue to experience heavy losses of local youth. A more precise understanding of rural youth migration trends is an important stepping stone in the establishment of a reinvigorated research effort into young rural people's perspectives of their changing life chances in their home communities. [source] Never Ending Stories: Recent Trends in the Historiography of Jammu and KashmirHISTORY COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2007Vernon Hewitt This article reviews recent historiography on Jammu and Kashmir, showing how it has sought to escape an overemphasis on independence and partition, and has sought to relocate itself free of the histories of India and Pakistan. In doing so, it has tried to critique the official Indian and Pakistani sources, question the homogeneity of Kashmiri identity, and interrogate the aims and objectives of leading Kashmiri nationalists, primarily that of Sheikh Abdullah. It has also sought to identify the multiplicity of Kashmiri voices premised on issues of culture and language. Energised by the recent violence and turmoil within Indian administered Kashmir, new trends in historiography hold out real potential in offering not just fresh insights but also new and innovative solutions, at some risk of losing sight of the ,political' as an subject open to meaningful generalisation and investigation. [source] Keynote Article: Recent Trends in the Franco-German RelationshipJCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue S1 2003Thomas Pedersen First page of article [source] The New Woman in the New Millennium: Recent Trends in Criticism of New Woman FictionLITERATURE COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2006Ann Heilmann This essay offers an overview of the current state of criticism on New Woman fiction. Starting with a brief survey of the critical perspectives established in the last thirty years of the twentieth century, it moves to a more detailed discussion of three trends since the turn of the millennium. As I argue, critical literature since 2000 has explored the specifically ,feminine' aesthetic of New Woman writers, and scrutinized the racialist and imperialist roots of New Woman thought. The recent move away from an exclusive concentration on white Anglo-American New Women has allowed important new insights into the international, ethnically diverse aspects of this fin-de-siècle and early twentieth-century movement. [source] Remanded in Custody: An Analysis of Recent Trends in England and WalesTHE HOWARD JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Issue 3 2010ELAINE PLAYER Abstract: This article present statistics on remand in custody in England and Wales. Currently, these statistics are spread across a wide range of government statistical publications, making it challenging to determine trends. We demonstrate that decisions to remand in custody are not a major contribution to prison overcrowding. However, it is important from perspectives both of human rights and economy to keep trends under close review, and to search for better ways of reducing the remand population in prisons. At the end of the article we review a number of strategies designed to reduce the remand population in this jurisdiction. [source] Recent Trends in Early Outcome of Adult Patients after Heart Transplantation: A Single-institution Review of 251 Transplants Using Standard Donor Organs,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2002Feng-Chun Tsai Older age, prior transplantation, pulmonary hypertension, and mechanical support are commonly seen in current potential cardiac transplant recipients. Transplants in 436 consecutive adult patients from 1994 to 1999 were reviewed. There were 251 using standard donors in 243 patients (age range 18,69 years). To emphasize recipient risk, 185 patients who received a nonstandard donor were excluded from analysis. The indications for transplant were ischemic heart disease (n = 123, 47%), dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 82, 32%), and others (n = 56, 21%). One hundred and forty-nine (57%) recipients were listed as status I; 5 and 6% were supported with an intra-aortic balloon and an assist device, respectively. The 30-d survival and survival to discharge were 94.7 and 92.7%, respectively; 1-year survival was 89.1%. Causes of early death were graft failure (n = 6), infection (n = 4), stroke (n = 4), multiorgan failure (n = 3) and rejection (n = 2). Predictors were balloon pump use alone (OR = 11.4, p =,0.002), pulmonary vascular resistance > 4 Wood units (OR = 5.7, p =,0.007), pretransplant creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL (OR = 6.9, p =,0.004) and female donor (OR = 8.3, p =,0.002). Recipient age and previous surgery did not affect short-term survival. Heart transplantation in the current era consistently offers excellent early and 1-year survival for well-selected recipients receiving standard donors. Early mortality tends to reflect graft failure while hospital mortality may be more indicative of recipient selection. [source] Recent trend of the partial discharge measurement technique using the UHF electromagnetic wave detection methodIEEJ TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007Masayuki Hikita Member Abstract The ultra high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic wave detection method has been widely studied and used in partial discharge (PD) measurement and as a diagnostic technique for insulation performance in gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) and transformers. The UHF method has advantages such as high sensitivity, wide detection range and reduced external disturbances. On the other hand, there are still some issues to be solved in the UHF methods, such as a clear understanding of the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves arising from the structure of the equipment, optimization of antenna design, calibration of charge, etc. This article deals with the present status and future trend of the technology of this promising UHF method of PD measurement, together with recent activities and results from our laboratory. Copyright © 2007 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Recent trends in neurodisability: implications for research and preventionDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 2003FIONA STANLEY No abstract is available for this article. [source] Factor mobility and fiscal policy in the EU: policy issues and analytical approachesECONOMIC POLICY, Issue 31 2000David E. Wildasin Increased integration of labour and capital markets creates significant challenges for the welfare states of modern Europe. Taxation of capital and labour that finances extensive programmes of cash and in-kind redistribution creates incentives for capital owners and workers to locate in regions where they obtain favourable fiscal treatment. Competition among countries for mobile resources constrains their ability to alter the distribution of income and may lead to reductions in the size and scope of redistributive policies. Mobility of labour and capital is imperfect, however. Recent trends indicate that labour and capital are neither perfectly mobile nor perfectly immobile, but rather adjust gradually to market conditions and economic policies. This paper presents an explicitly dynamic analysis showing that governments can achieve some redistribution when it is costly for factors of production to relocate. As the costs of factor mobility fall, however, the effectiveness of redistributive policies is more limited, and governments have weaker incentives to pursue them. Liberalized immigration policies, EU enlargement, and other steps that promote integration of the factors markets of Western Europe with those of surrounding regions thus present a challenge to policy-makers if they also wish to maintain fiscal systems with extensive redistribution. [source] Recent trends in the regulation of water supplyENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Mark Gerath First page of article [source] The admission of students to UK Dental Schools , Recent trends (1983,1998)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2000R. Duguid Details of student applications and admissions to UK Dental Schools from 1983 to 1998 have been recorded and analyzed. Trends observed include a rise in the proportion of female dental students, a drop in real numbers of male dental students, a recent drop in the proportion of mature students and an increase in the number of EU and overseas entrant dental students. Some implications of these and other factors on workforce planning in the UK are discussed. [source] Incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma in the U.S. and Denmark: Recent trendsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2007Peter Jepsen Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence rates vary by gender, age, time and place. Geographic differences in gender-, age- and time-specific HCC incidence rates may improve the understanding of HCC risk factors. We computed annual standardized HCC incidence rates for the United States (U.S.) 1978,2004 and for Denmark 1978,2003. Among U.S. white men aged 45,59 the HCC incidence rates were comparable to the Danish rates until 1995, but more than tripled over the following 8 years to become over 2.5-fold higher than the Danish rate by 2003, with an additional small increase in 2004. HCC rates in black U.S. men aged 45,59 also increased sharply after 1995. Among women aged 45,59 the U.S. HCC rates were elevated in recent years, but did not show the sharp increase after 1995 observed among men; the Danish rates showed a decreasing trend throughout 1978,2003. U.S. rates in the 60,74 years age groups showed a protracted and gradual increase with no evidence of a sharp increase after 1995. In the 60,74 years age group, rates for Danish men were comparable to those for U.S. white men, but rates for Danish women decreased. The U.S. prevalence rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are 2.1 and 1.1% for men and women, respectively, the Danish 0.2%. The disparity in HCV prevalence is the most likely explanation for the differences between Danish and U.S. trends in HCC incidence. Intravenous drug use and blood transfusions are the major sources of HCV, and we suggest that increased HCV infection prevalence among Vietnam era military veterans may contribute to the earlier and steeper HCC incidence increase for U.S. men than for U.S. women. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Recent trends in breast cancer incidence among 6 Asian groups in the Greater Bay Area of Northern California,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2007Theresa H.M. Keegan Abstract Asians and Pacific Islanders are typically aggregated in United States (US) cancer statistics even though the few studies that have considered subgroups separately have found marked differences in cancer incidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in breast cancer incidence rates separately for US Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, South Asian and Vietnamese women overall and by age at diagnosis, histologic subtype and stage at diagnosis. Age-adjusted incidence rates and annual percent changes (APC) of new, primary breast cancer diagnosed in the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry of Northern California (1990,2002) were calculated using SEER*Stat. In women under 50 years of age, annual incidence rates decreased for Japanese (APC = ,4.1, p = 0.02) and Filipinas (APC = ,1.9, p = 0.11), and increased or fluctuated in other subgroups over the study period. In women 50 years or older, rates of invasive breast cancer increased for most subgroups, except Filipinas (APC = ,1.3, p = 0.32), and in Japanese until 1998,2000. Rates of breast cancer in situ increased in most subgroups from 1990 to 2002, as did rates of lobular breast cancer for Chinese (APC = +7.46, p < 0.01) women. In Japanese women, rates of lobular breast cancer were highest in 1995,1997 and decreased thereafter. Our data support the notion that the prevalence of established risk factors influence breast cancer incidence, as breast cancer rates increased for more recently immigrated groups and decreased among more established groups, and may suggest leads into other avenues of research, such as genetic differences, that may explain differences in incidence rates among Asian subgroups. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Recent trends in the treatment of testosterone deficiency syndromeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 11 2007Bum Sik Hong Abstract: Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is defined as a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and is characterized by typical symptoms and deficiency in serum testosterone levels. TDS is a result of the interaction of hypothalamo-pituitary and testicular factors. Now, treatment of TDS with testosterone is still controversial due to a lack of large, controlled clinical trials on efficacy. The risks of treatment with testosterone appear to be minimal, although long-term studies on the safety of testosterone therapy are lacking. The aim of the therapy is to establish a physiological concentration of serum testosterone in order to correct the androgen deficiency, relieve its symptoms and prevent long-term sequelae. All of the available products, despite their varying pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles, are able to reach this goal. Newer testosterone patches seem not to cause severe skin irritation. Testosterone gels minimize the skin irritation while providing flexibility in dosing and a low discontinuation rate. Oral testosterone undecanoate (TU) is free of liver toxicity. Recent formulation of oral TU markedly increased shelf-live, a major drawback in the older preparation. Producing swings in testosterone levels rising rapidly to the supraphysiological range is not the case with the new injectable long-acting preparation of TU. To be able to rapidly react and stop treatment in cases where side-effects and contraindications are detected, the short-acting transdermal and oral delivery modes have certain advantages. However, there is no evidence that the use of an injectable long-acting TU in men with TDS has limitations in clinical application for this reason. The use of dehydroepiandrosterone is still controversial because of a lack of well designed long-term trials, although some recent studies suggest positive effects on various body systems. Only a few studies have been carried out to investigate the effect of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in TDS with some positive results on various body systems. [source] Recent trends of genitourinary endoscopy in childrenINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 7 2005KATSUYA NONOMURA Abstract Downsizing and refinement of the pediatric endoscope in video-monitoring systems have facilitated genitourinary endoscopy even in small children without any traumatic instrumentation. Indications for endoscopy in children with hematuria or tractable urinary tract infection have been tailored for the rareness of genitourinary malignancy or secondary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) as a result of infravesical obstruction. Most mechanical outlet obstructions can be relieved endoscopically irrespective of sex and age. Endoscopic decompression by puncture or incision of both intravesical and ectopic ureteroceles can be an initial treatment similar to open surgery for an affected upper moiety. Endoscopy is necessary following urodynamic study to exclude minor infravesical obstruction only in children with unexplained dysfunctional voiding. Genitourinary endoscopy is helpful for structural abnormalities before and at the time of repairing congenital urogenital anomalies. Endoscopic injection therapy of VUR has been established as a less invasive surgical treatment. Pediatric endoscopy will play a greater role in the armamentarium for most pediatric urological diseases through the analysis of visual data and discussion on the indications for endoscopy throughout the world. [source] Overview and new developments in softer X-ray (2Å < , < 5Å) protein crystallographyJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 1 2004John R. Helliwell New methodologies with synchrotron radiation and X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) in structural biology are being developed. Recent trends in harnessing softer X-rays in protein crystallography for phase determination are described. These include reference to a data-collection test at 2.6 Å wavelength with a lysozyme crystal on SRS station 7.2 (Helliwell, 1983) and also use of softer X-rays (2,Å wavelength) to optimise f," at the xenon L1 absorption edge in the Single Isomorphous Replacement Optimised Anomalous Scattering ('SIROAS') structure determination of apocrustacyanin A1 with four, partially occupied, xenon atoms (Cianci et al., 2001; Chayen et al., 2000). The hand of the protein was determined using the f," enhanced sulphur anomalous signal from six disulphides in the protein dimer of 40,kDa. In a follow-up study the single wavelength xenon L1 -edge f," optimised data set alone was used for phase determination and phase improvement by solvent flattening etc. (CCP4 DM) (Olczak et al., 2003). Auto-tracing of the protein was feasible but required additional diffraction data at higher resolution. This latter could be avoided in future by using improved tilted detector settings during use of softer X-rays, i.e. towards back-scattering recording (Helliwell, 2002). The Olczak et al. study has already led to optimisation of the new SRS beamline MPW,MAD,10 (see www.nwsgc.ac.uk) firstly involving the thinning of the beryllium windows as much as possible and planning for a MAR Research tilted detector `desk top beamline' geometry. Thus the use of softer, i.e. 2 to 3,Å wavelength range, X-rays will allow optimisation of xenon and iodine L -edge f," and enhancing of sulphur f," signals for higher throughput protein crystallography. Softer X-rays utilisation in protein crystallography includes work done on SRS bending-magnet station 7.2 in the early 1980s by the author as station scientist (Helliwell, 1984). In the future development of XFELs these softer X-ray wavelengths could also be harnessed and relax the demands to some extent on the complexity and cost of an XFEL. Thus, by use of say 4,Å XFEL radiation and use of a back-scattering geometry area detector the single molecule molecular transform could be sampled to a spatial resolution of 2,Å, sufficient, in principle, for protein model refinement (Miao et al., 1999). Meanwhile, Miao et al. (2003) report the first experimental recording of the diffraction pattern from intact Escherichia coli bacteria using coherent X-rays, with a wavelength of 2,Å, at a resolution of 30,nm and a real-space image constructed. The new single-particle X-ray diffraction-imaging era has commenced. [source] Recent trends in diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinenceALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2004A. K. Tuteja Summary The inability to control bowel discharge is not only common but extremely distressing. It has a negative impact on a patient's lifestyle, leads to a loss of self-esteem, social isolation and a diminished quality of life. Faecal incontinence is often due to multiple pathogenic mechanisms and rarely due to a single factor. Normal continence to stool is maintained by the structural and functional integrity of the anorectal unit. Consequently, disruption of the normal anatomy or physiology of the anorectal unit leads to faecal incontinence. Currently, several diagnostic tests are available that can provide an insight regarding the pathophysiology of faecal incontinence and thereby guide management. The treatment of faecal incontinence includes medical, surgical or behavioural approaches. Today, by using logical approach to management, it is possible to improve symptoms and bowel function in many of these patients. [source] Recent trends in the total characterization of new-generation base fluidsLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 2 2001I. D. Singh Abstract The quality of lubricating base oils used worldwide is changing rapidly as a result of stringent environmental regulation and the pressing need for oils to perform well under severe operating conditions. For example, although the base oil market in India now depends entirely on conventional group I base oils, group II and III base oils will soon be mandatory in lubrication formulation. These oils are generally more stable towards oxidation due to the virtual absence of heteroatom-containing compounds and to their low aromatic content. The analytical procedures developed over the years for the characterization of new and used group I mineral base oils will not be successful for all the requirements of these new oils. Thus, a systematic study is required to test the universal validity of characterisation methodology for these new-generation base fluids. This paper focuses on the use of various analytical techniques for base oil characterization and the methodology required for the total characterization of new-generation base oils. [source] The European single market and the regulation of the legal profession: an economic analysisMANAGERIAL AND DECISION ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2002Frank H. StephenArticle first published online: 3 APR 200 The article analyses the effect of removing barriers between two autarkic legal markets with different technologies. Firms using the more efficient technology penetrate the other market. The result is mergers between firms from the efficient jurisdictions and those in the inefficient jurisdictions. Social welfare increases from reduced resource costs in the production of legal services even if prices remain regulated. This leads to pressure for prices for legal services to be reduced. Recent trends in the penetration of EU legal markets by English solicitors firms are discussed, particularly recent mergers involving English and German law firms. Implications for future market regulation are drawn. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Status of HTS Data Mining ApproachesMOLECULAR INFORMATICS, Issue 4 2004Alexander Böcker Abstract High-throughput screening of large compound collections results in large sets of data. This review gives an overview of the most frequently employed computational techniques for the analysis of such data and the establishment of first QSAR models. Various methods for descriptor selection, classification and data mining are discussed. Recent trends include the application of kernel-based machine learning methods for the design of focused libraries and compilation of target-family biased compound collections. [source] Recent trends from Canadian permafrost thermal monitoring network sitesPERMAFROST AND PERIGLACIAL PROCESSES, Issue 1 2005Sharon L. Smith Abstract The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), in collaboration with other government partners, has been developing and maintaining a network of active-layer and permafrost thermal monitoring sites which contribute to the Canadian Permafrost Monitoring Network and the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost. Recent results from the thermal monitoring sites maintained by the GSC and other federal government agencies are presented. These results indicate that the response of permafrost temperature to recent climate change and variability varies across the Canadian permafrost region. Warming of shallow permafrost temperatures of between 0.3 and 0.6°C per decade has occurred since the mid- to late 1980s in the central and northern Mackenzie region in response to a general increase in air temperature. No significant warming (less than 0.1°C per decade) of permafrost is observed in the southern Mackenzie valley. Warming of shallow permafrost of between 1.0 and 4.0°C per decade is also observed in the eastern and high Arctic, but this mainly occurred in the late 1990s. These trends in permafrost temperature are consistent with trends in air temperature observed since the 1970s. Local conditions however, influence the response of the permafrost thermal regime to these changes in air temperature. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Wilderness Restoration: The Paradox of Public ParticipationRESTORATION ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2006William Throop Abstract Recent trends in ecological restoration complicate the job of wilderness managers. An emphasis on volunteer participation in restoration designed to foster human/nature relationships often conflicts with the mandate to leave land untrammeled. We frame this conflict as the "participation paradox." Higgs' (2003) Nature by Design contains a response to the paradox that includes a strong defense of participatory focal restoration and a related critique of wilderness. After identifying the limitations of Higgs' arguments, we address the paradox by showing how an appeal to the moral virtues of humility, self-restraint, and altruism supports a restrictive conception of wilderness and a healing metaphor for wilderness restoration. The virtue-informed healing metaphor provides an argument for restricting volunteer participation and long-term restoration projects in wilderness areas. It also identifies the general conditions in which damaged wilderness should be allowed to "heal itself." The upshot of our approach to the paradox is that some standards for good restoration should be contextualized to land use designations. In particular, the emphasis on participatory restoration is appropriate in humanized landscapes but not in wilderness. [source] Beyond competence: defining and promoting excellence in anaesthesiaANAESTHESIA, Issue 2 2010A. F. Smith Summary Recent trends in medical training have tended to focus on competence, in the sense of adequate performance, rather than excellence. This article reviews published literature and relevant concepts relating to excellence and professionalism from within anaesthesia, from medicine more generally and from outside the profession. A number of conceptual frameworks are presented that could be adapted for the promotion of excellence, and some of the necessary prerequisites for this promotion discussed. [source] Recent trends in non-viral vector-mediated gene deliveryBIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 11 2009Atul Pathak Abstract Nucleic acids-based next generation biopharmaceuticals (i.e., pDNA, oligonucleotides, short interfering RNA) are potential pioneering materials to cope with various incurable diseases. However, several biological barriers present a challenge for efficient gene delivery. On the other hand, developments in nanotechnology now offer numerous non-viral vectors that have been fabricated and found capable of transmitting the biopharmaceuticals into the cell and even into specific subcellular compartments like mitochondria. This overview illustrates cellular barriers and current status of non-viral gene vectors, i.e., lipoplexes, liposomes, polyplexes, and nanoparticles, to relocate therapeutic DNA-based nanomedicine into the target cell. Despite the awesome impact of physical methods (i.e., ultrasound, electroporation), chemical methods have been shown to accomplish high-level and safe transgene expression. Further comprehension of barriers and the mechanism of cellular uptake will facilitate development of nucleic acids-based nanotherapy for alleviation of various disorders. [source] Recent trends in the use of radical prostatectomy in England: the epidemiology of diffusionBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003S.E. Oliver OBJECTIVE To describe recent trends in the use of radical prostatectomy (RP) in England, as there is currently no consensus on the most effective treatment for localized prostate cancer, although RP is the treatment of choice among urological surgeons for men aged < 70 years. METHODS Routine data were assessed to establish the number of RPs performed in England in 1991,99. Age-standardized operation rates were compared by region and socio-economic group, and the geographical spread of use mapped. RESULTS The number of RPs performed annually increased nearly 20-fold between 1991 and 1999. Rates of surgery were greatest in the London National Health Service (NHS) regions and lowest in the Trent region. Outside London, the risk of surgery in a NHS hospital was significantly greater for men living in the least deprived areas; in London this trend was reversed. CONCLUSION Rapid increases in the use of RP showed marked regional variations, most likely related to access to prostate-specific antigen testing and the location of surgeons able to carry out radical surgery. By 1999, a third of procedures were still being undertaken in ,low-volume' hospitals, with implications for the quality of care and outcomes. Crucially, these developments occurred in the absence of robust information about the effectiveness of RP. Recent funding of a randomized trial of treatment options in this area is welcome, but wider questions remain about the timing of the evaluation of surgical technologies. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||