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Relevant Aspects (relevant + aspect)
Selected AbstractsThe alcohol dehydrogenases of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a comprehensive reviewFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 7 2008Olga De Smidt Abstract Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) constitute a large family of enzymes responsible for the reversible oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes with the concomitant reduction of NAD+ or NADP+. These enzymes have been identified not only in yeasts, but also in several other eukaryotes and even prokaryotes. The ADHs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been studied intensively for over half a century. With the ever-evolving techniques available for scientific analysis and since the completion of the Yeast Genome Project, a vast amount of new information has been generated during the past 10 years. This review attempts to provide a brief summary of the wealth of knowledge gained from earlier studies as well as more recent work. Relevant aspects regarding the primary and secondary structure, kinetic characteristics, function and molecular regulation of the ADHs in S. cerevisiae are discussed in detail. A brief outlook also contemplates possible future research opportunities. [source] One technique, two approaches, and results: Thoracic duct cannulation in small laboratory animalsMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2003Mihai Ionac M.D., Ph.D. Experimental studies in immunology, pharmacology, or hematology require the sampling of the total thoracic duct lymph in awake and unrestrained rats or mice. Several approaches have been described for cannulation of the thoracic duct, but they are characterized by a modest reproducibility and a low lymph flow rate. An improved technique for obtaining thoracic duct lymph is described here, emphasizing the similarities and differences concerning both rats and mice (average weights of 305 and 15 g, respectively). Rats yielded a mean of 55.6 ml/day thoracic duct lymph, while lymph output in mice reached unexpected volumes of 29.3 ml/day. The use of an operating microscope and silicone cannula, and maintenance of mobility of the animals during lymph collection, offer a reliable method for a high and constant output of thoracic duct lymph. Relevant aspects of the murine thoracic duct anatomy are also identified. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:239,245 2003 [source] The recent declines of farmland bird populations in Britain: an appraisal of causal factors and conservation actionsIBIS, Issue 4 2004Ian Newton In this paper, the main aspects of agricultural intensification that have led to population declines in farmland birds over the past 50 years are reviewed, together with the current state of knowledge, and the effects of recent conservation actions. For each of 30 declining species, attention is focused on: (1) the external causes of population declines, (2) the demographic mechanisms and (3) experimental tests of proposed external causal factors, together with the outcome of (4) specific conservation measures and (5) agri-environment schemes. Although each species has responded individually to particular aspects of agricultural change, certain groups of species share common causal factors. For example, declines in the population levels of seed-eating birds have been driven primarily by herbicide use and the switch from spring-sown to autumn-sown cereals, both of which have massively reduced the food supplies of these birds. Their population declines have been associated with reduced survival rates and, in some species, also with reduced reproductive rates. In waders of damp grassland, population declines have been driven mainly by land drainage and the associated intensification of grassland management. This has led to reduced reproductive success, as a result of lowered food availability, together with increased disturbance and trampling by farm stock, and in some localities increased nest predation. The external causal factors of population decline are known (with varying degrees of certainty) for all 30 species considered, and the demographic causal factors are known (again with varying degrees of certainty) for 24 such species. In at least 19 species, proposed causal factors have been tested and confirmed by experiment or by local conservation action, and 12 species have been shown to benefit (in terms of locally increased breeding density) from options available in one or more agri-environment schemes. Four aspects of agricultural change have been the main drivers of bird population declines, each affecting a wide range of species, namely: (1) weed-control, mainly through herbicide use; (2) the change from spring-sown to autumn-sown cereal varieties, and the associated earlier ploughing of stubbles and earlier crop growth; (3) land drainage and associated intensification of grassland management; and (4) increased stocking densities, mainly of cattle in the lowlands and sheep in the uplands. These changes have reduced the amounts of habitat and/or food available to many species. Other changes, such as the removal of hedgerows and ,rough patches', have affected smaller numbers of species, as have changes in the timings of cultivations and harvests. Although at least eight species have shown recent increases in their national population levels, many others seem set to continue declining, or to remain at a much reduced level, unless some relevant aspect of agricultural practice is changed. [source] The inhibition of paw oedema formation caused by the oil of Copaifera multijuga Hayne and its fractionsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 10 2006Valdir F. Veiga Junior Two oils exuded from a Copaifera multijuga Hayne tree (Leguminosae-Caesalpinoideae), collected from the same plant, but in different periods of the year, and the hexanic, dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions of one of these oils were analysed by high-resolution gas chromatography (HRGC) and HRGC coupled with mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). In addition, the in-vivo preliminary anti-oedematogenic actions of the oil and some fractions of it were assessed against carrageenan- and bradykinin-induced oedema formation in the rat paw. Twenty-seven sesquiterpenes and six diterpenes were identified, ,-caryophyllene, ,-copaene and copalic acid being the main components. The dichloromethanic and methanolic fractions obtained from C. multijuga oil given by the intraperitoneal route caused a significant inhibition of paw oedema caused by carrageenan with inhibition of 49 ± 13% and 64 ± 9 %, respectively. Likewise, dexamethasone (the positive control drug) also greatly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw oedema formation (60 ± 4% at 2 h). The hexanic fraction also significantly inhibited (50 ± 6%) the paw oedema formation caused by bradykinin. These results suggest the presence of still non-identified active terpene compounds in the oil of C. multijuga that exhibit anti-oedematogenic properties. Of note, the yield of these compounds and the pharmacological actions of the oil, exhibited great seasonal variations, a relevant aspect that should be carefully observed for the correct medicinal use of this plant by the population. [source] Analysis of heat transfer in autoclave technologyPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 5 2001Vincenza Antonucci In autoclave technology, polymer based composites are manufactured under the application of pressure and heat. The heat transferred between the energy carrying fluid and the bag-composite-tool element activates exothermic curing reactions, leading to composite consolidation. The convective heat transfer mechanism is the most relevant aspect controlling the rate of chemical and physical transformations associated with composite curing. Moreover, the fluidodynamic regime that results from the interactions between the autoclave and the tool geometry, even if totally predictable in theory, is unattainable in practice. In this study, the heat transfer phenomena occurring during the autoclave manufacturing cycle have been analyzed. The assumption of a negligible through-the-thickness thermal gradient led to simplified energy balance equations. In this case, the thermal evolution of the manufacturing elements has been completely determined by two parameters: the global convective heat exchange coefficient, setting the rate of the heat transfer between the autoclave environment and the bag-composite-tool element, and the adiabatic temperature rise, establishing the relevance of the polymerization exotherm. A scaling analysis has been performed in order to identify the dimensionless parameters controlling the autoclave process. The developed semitheoretical methodology has been extensively tested by comparison with experimental data from an industrial autoclave. [source] ,Schools without walls?' Developments and challenges in dental outreach teaching , report of a recent symposiumEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2006K. A. Eaton Abstract, During the 2004 annual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research, the Education Research Group held a symposium on dental outreach teaching. After a brief introduction, which reviews relevant aspects of the relatively sparse literature, this paper summarises the proceedings, the themes and conclusions that emerged and the research issues that were identified. It aims to describe aspects of current practice around the world and to promote future discussion. Presenters gave details of outreach programmes for dental undergraduates in Australia, Finland, Malaysia (and Southeast Asia), the United Kingdom and the United States. From these presentations four themes emerged. They were: reasons for the introduction of outreach teaching, its perceived beneficial effects, organisational issues, educational issues. The reasons included a recognition of the need to educate dental undergraduates as members of ,care teams' in the environments and communities where they were ultimately like to work and the current shortage of both suitable patients and teachers (faculty) in many dental schools. A wide range of potential benefits and some disadvantages were identified. The organisational issues were, in the main, seen to relate to finance and administration. The educational issues included the need to train and monitor the performance of teachers at outreach clinics and to assess the performance of the undergraduates whilst at the outreach locations. It was concluded that new technology made it easier to teach at a distance and it was possible to create a dental ,school without walls'. It was recognised that few evaluations of dental outreach teaching have been carried out and that there were many research questions to be answered, including: whether it should be a voluntary or compulsory part of the undergraduate curriculum, how long it should last and what type of outcomes should be assessed. [source] Routine use of Xeomin® in patients previously treated with Botox®: long term resultsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2009D. Dressler Background and purpose:, Based upon large and carefully performed studies Xeomin® was first registered in 2005. However, its real potential can only be assessed, when it is used outside of study design restrictions, in an independent setting, in off-label indications and during continued use. Methods and results:, Two hundred and sixty-three patients (91 with dystonia, 84 with spasticity, 17 with hemifacial spasm and re-innervation synkinesias, 64 with hyperhidrosis, 7 with hypersalivation), who were previously treated with Botox® for at least 1 year under stable conditions, were converted in a blinded fashion to Xeomin® using a 1:1 conversion ratio and identical treatment parameters. Therapeutic outcome and adverse effects were monitored by neurological examination and structuralised interviews. In 223 patients (all except those with axillary hyperhidrosis) Xeomin® was used continuously throughout a 3 year period. Altogether 1050 injection series were performed. Patients with dystonia received 261.5 ± 141.0 MU Botox®/Xeomin®, patients with spasticity 450.5 ± 177.1 MU, patients with hemifacial spasm and reinnervation synkinesias 44.7 ± 19.5 MU and patients with hyperhidrosis 286.9 ± 141.6 MU. The maximum botulinum toxin dose applied was 840 MU. There were no subjective or objective differences between Botox® and Xeomin® treatments with respect to onset latency, maximum and duration of their therapeutic effects and their adverse effect profiles. Long-term use did not reveal additional safety relevant aspects. None of the patients lost therapeutic efficacy during the observation period. Conclusions:, Xeomin® can be used safely in doses of up to 840 MU. Even when applied in high doses it did not produce secondary therapy failure. There were no diffusion differences between Botox® and Xeomin®. Using a conversion ratio of 1:1 Xeomin® and Botox® can easily be exchanged in a continued treatment. [source] An advanced methodology for steady-state security assessment of power systemsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 4 2001D. P. Popovic The basic objective of this paper is to present the relevant aspects of an advanced methodology for steady-state security assessment of power systems. This methodology consists of the following relevant parts: procedure for forming the unified external network equivalents, with adaptive buffer system selection, procedure for fast contingency selection and simple method for the fast and sufficiently accurate assessment of dynamic variation of power system frequency during the time of its primary control. For the potentially critical contingency, the continuation of iterative procedure is performed. Full contingency analysis is based on specially developed method, which enables successive solution of the load-flow problem for a set of characteristic post-dynamic quasi-stationary states. The characteristics of the developed methodology are tested on the example of the existing electric power interconnection in the Balkans. [source] Development and Testing of Energetic Materials: The Concept of High Densities Based on the Trinitroethyl FunctionalityADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2009Michael Göbel Abstract The development of new energetic materials is an emerging area of materials chemistry facilitated by a worldwide need to replace materials used at present, due to environmental considerations and safety requirements, while at the same time securing high performance. The development of such materials is complex, owing to the fact that several different and apparently mutually exclusive material properties have to be met in order for a new material to become widely accepted. In turn, understanding the basic principles of structure property relationships is highly desirable, as such an understanding would allow for a more rational design process to yield the desired properties. This article covers the trinitroethyl functionality and its potential for the design of next generation energetic materials, and describes relevant aspects of energetic materials chemistry including theoretical calculations capable of reliably predicting material properties. The synthesis, characterization, energetic properties, and structure property relationships of several new promising compounds displaying excellent material properties are reported with respect to different kinds of applications and compared to standard explosives currently used. Based on a review of trinitroethyl-containing compounds available in the literature, as well as this new contribution, it is observed that high density can generally be obtained in a more targeted manner in energetic materials taking advantage of noncovalent bonding interactions, a prerequisite for the design of next generation energetic materials. [source] New Concepts and Applications in the Macromolecular Chemistry of FullerenesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 38 2010Francesco Giacalone Abstract A new classification on the different types of fullerene-containing polymers is presented according to their different properties and applications they exhibit in a variety of fields. Because of their interest and novelty, water-soluble and biodegradable C60 -polymers are discussed first, followed by polyfullerene-based membranes where unprecedented supramolecular structures are presented. Next are compounds that involve hybrid materials formed from fullerenes and other components such as silica, DNA, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) where the most recent advances have been achieved. A most relevant topic is still that of C60 -based donor-acceptor (D,A) polymers. Since their application in photovoltaics D,A polymers are among the most realistic applications of fullerenes in the so-called molecular electronics. The most relevant aspects in these covalently connected fullerene/polymer hybrids as well as new concepts to improve energy conversion efficiencies are presented. The last topics disccused relate to supramolecular aspects that are in involved in C60 -polymer systems and in the self-assembly of C60 -macromolecular structures, which open a new scenario for organizing, by means of non-covalent interactions, new supramolecular structures at the nano- and micrometric scale, in which the combination of the hydrofobicity of fullerenes with the versatility of the noncovalent chemistry afford new and spectacular superstructures. [source] Communicating the psychological contract: an employer perspectiveHUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2002David E. Guest The concept of the psychological contract, with its focus on the exchange of perceived promises and commitments, is increasingly used as a framework to study the employment relationship. Yet research has predominantly focused on employee views and has largely neglected the organisational perspective and the management of the psychological contract. This article begins to redress the balance by reporting a study, based on a survey of 1,306 senior HR managers, that explores the management of the psychological contract and in particular the role of organisational communication. Three distinct and relevant aspects of organisational communication are identified, concerned with initial entry, day-to-day work and more future-oriented, top-down communication. Effective use of these forms of communication is associated with what managers judge to be a clearer and less frequently breached set of organisational promises and commitments, as well as with a fairer exchange and a more positive impact of policies and practices on employee attitudes and behaviour. The findings are discussed within the context of the wider literature on psychological contracts, organisational culture and HRM. The study confirms that the psychological contract offers managers a useful framework within which to consider and manage the employment relationship. [source] Performance of delay-sensitive traffic in multi-layered satellite IP networks with on-board processing capabilityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 12 2007Suzan Bayhan Abstract In this article, performance of delay-sensitive traffic in multi-layered satellite Internet Protocol (IP) networks with on-board processing (OBP) capability is investigated. With OBP, a satellite can process the received data, and according to the nature of application, it can decide on the transmission properties. First, we present a concise overview of relevant aspects of satellite networks to delay-sensitive traffic and routing. Then, in order to improve the system performance for delay-sensitive traffic, specifically Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a novel adaptive routing mechanism in two-layered satellite network considering the network's real-time information is introduced and evaluated. Adaptive Routing Protocol for Quality of Service (ARPQ) utilizes OBP and avoids congestion by distributing traffic load between medium-Earth orbit and low-Earth orbit layers. We utilize a prioritized queueing policy to satisfy quality-of-service (QoS) requirements of delay-sensitive applications while evading non-real-time traffic suffer low performance level. The simulation results verify that multi-layered satellite networks with OBP capabilities and QoS mechanisms are essential for feasibility of packet-based high-quality delay-sensitive services which are expected to be the vital components of next-generation communications networks. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of thermodynamic functions for expressing some relevant aspects of sustainabilityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Simone Bastianoni Abstract Sustainability is a key concept for our future and the role of thermodynamics in its assessment is fundamental. The use of energy and matter must be considered not only from a microscopic viewpoint (the use of a single fuel or material, or the presence of a single pollutant) but also by means of holistic approaches able to synthesize all the characteristics of a single process. Exergy is a suitable function for this purpose. The exergy concept can also be applied to natural systems and to systems at the interface between natural and artificial ones. In this context also emergy can express very helpful indications. Four different efficiency indices are here examined to better understand different aspects of the sustainability of processes and systems. An application to two similar agricultural systems (wine production in Italy) shows how these indices work in real case studies. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Architectures and performance evaluation of bandwidth brokersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2009Christos Bouras DiffServ is the basis of contemporary QoS-enabled networks. Setting up DiffServ QoS requires extensive engineering effort in dimensioning and provisioning, especially for adjacent networks under different administrations linked in a ,federated' hierarchy. The bandwidth broker is an entity that is responsible for the management of the resources and the QoS service operation in an automated way. In this paper, we present, test and compare two different architectures of bandwidth brokers: a centralized one and a distributed one. We also deal with the inter-domain operation of the bandwidth broker in order to perform end-to-end provisioning. The paper presents the relevant aspects for inter-domain operation of a bandwidth broker and focuses on pathfinding issues. We discuss two models for inter-domain routing through bandwidth brokers, analyzing their advantages and comparing them. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Item selection and content validity of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool for non-verbal adultsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2009Céline Gélinas Abstract Title.,Item selection and content validity of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool for non-verbal adults. Aim., This paper is a report of the item selection process and evaluation of the content validity of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool for non-verbal critically ill adults. Background., Critically ill patients experience moderate to severe pain in the intensive care unit. While critical care clinicians strive to obtain the patient's self-report of pain, many factors compromise the patient's ability to communicate verbally. Pain assessment methods often need to match the communication capabilities of the patient. In non-verbal patients, observable behavioural and physiological indicators become important indices for pain assessment. Method., A mixed method study design was used for the development of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool in 2002,2003. More specifically, a four-step process was undertaken: (1) literature review, (2) review of 52 patients' medical files, (3) focus groups with 48 critical care nurses, and interviews with 12 physicians, and (4) evaluation of content validity with 17 clinicians using a self-administered questionnaire. Results., Item selection was derived from different sources of information which were convergent and complementary in their content. An initial version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool was developed including both behavioural and physiological indicators. Because physiological indicators received more criticism than support, only the four behaviours with content validity indices >0·80 were included in the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool: facial expression, body movements, muscle tension and compliance with the ventilator. Conclusion., Item selection and expert opinions are relevant aspects of tool development. While further evaluation is planned, the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool appears as a useful instrument to assess pain in critically ill patients. [source] Promoting evidence-based practice: the roles and activities of professional nurses' associationsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2006Theo Van Achterberg PhD RN Aim., This paper reports a study exploring the role perceptions and current activities in evidence-based practice promotion of professional nurses' associations in the Netherlands. Background., The promotion of evidence-based practice contributes to professional standards in nursing and good quality care for patients. As professional nurses' associations can be key players in this process, the nature of their roles and current activities deserves to be explored. Methods., Roles and activities were explored for 43 professional nurses' associations (83% of all national associations). Data were collected using interviews with the associations' board members. Findings from the interviews were validated with those from an analysis of the associations' policy reports and other publications in the previous 2 years. Results., Board members primarily thought that they had roles in the selection and distribution of evidence. The roles of participant (n = 13) and performer (n = 13) in selecting evidence, and those of facilitator (n = 12), initiator (n = 15) and performer (n = 41) in the distribution of evidence were often addressed. A few respondents reflected on roles in generating evidence and implementing evidence-based practice in patient care. A majority of the associations was contemplating activities in the promotion of evidence-based practice. Specific activities for each of six relevant aspects in the promotion of evidence-based practice were found in fewer than five associations. Conclusion., Professional nurses' association roles in the promotion of evidence-based practice need to be viewed in relation to the tasks to be accomplished, especially those of selecting and distributing evidence. Although many organizations expressed motivation, professional nurses' associations have a long way to go in the promotion of evidence-based practice among their members. [source] Distribution modelling and statistical phylogeography: an integrative framework for generating and testing alternative biogeographical hypothesesJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 11 2007Corinne L. Richards Abstract Statistical phylogeographic studies contribute to our understanding of the factors that influence population divergence and speciation, and that ultimately generate biogeographical patterns. The use of coalescent modelling for analyses of genetic data provides a framework for statistically testing alternative hypotheses about the timing and pattern of divergence. However, the extent to which such approaches contribute to our understanding of biogeography depends on how well the alternative hypotheses chosen capture relevant aspects of species histories. New modelling techniques, which explicitly incorporate spatio-geographic data external to the gene trees themselves, provide a means for generating realistic phylogeographic hypotheses, even for taxa without a detailed fossil record. Here we illustrate how two such techniques , species distribution modelling and its historical extension, palaeodistribution modelling , in conjunction with coalescent simulations can be used to generate and test alternative hypotheses. In doing so, we highlight a few key studies that have creatively integrated both historical geographic and genetic data and argue for the wider incorporation of such explicit integrations in biogeographical studies. [source] PRODUCTIVE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTHJOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS, Issue 4 2009Andreas Irmen Abstract We provide a comprehensive survey of the recent literature on the link between productive government expenditure and economic growth. We show that an understanding of the core results and the ensuing contributions can be gained from the study of their respective Euler equations. We argue that the existing literature incorporates many relevant aspects; however, policy recommendations tend to hinge on several knife-edge assumptions. Therefore, future research ought to focus more on idea-based endogenous growth models to check the robustness of policy recommendations. Moreover, the inclusion of hitherto unexplored types of government expenditure, e.g. on the ,rule of law', would be desirable. [source] Structural defects in poly(vinyl chloride)JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 12 2005William H. Starnes Jr. Abstract This article describes, in narrative style, the research of the author and his associates, performed over a period of 30 years, that led to the identification and quantification of the anomalous structures in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and to detailed descriptions of their mechanisms of formation. Also examined here are the implications of this work for the thermal stability of PVC, for the overall chemical mechanism of vinyl chloride polymerization, and for other relevant aspects of the chemistry and technology of vinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2451,2467, 2005 [source] Quality of life in functional dyspepsia: responsiveness of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index and development of a new 10-item short formALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2001N. J. Talley Background: The Nepean Dyspepsia Index is a reliable and valid measure of quality of life in functional dyspepsia, but responsiveness has been little studied. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index originally contained 42 items designed to measure impairment of a subject's ability to engage in relevant aspects of their life because of dyspepsia, and their enjoyment of these aspects; in addition, the individual importance of areas was assessed. It was subsequently shortened to 25 items, yielding five sub-scales. Aim: To test the Nepean Dyspepsia Index's responsiveness and develop a responsive, very short form. Methods: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed in 589 patients with documented functional dyspepsia. Symptoms and quality of life were measured at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks. Responsiveness of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index quality-of-life section was evaluated by correlation with symptom scores and calculation of standardized changes in scores. Two items from each sub-scale which best represented the area of life (by factor loadings) were selected to create the 10-item short form (SF; short form-Nepean Dyspepsia Index). Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and responsiveness was assessed as above. Results: The Nepean Dyspepsia Index quality-of-life scales demonstrated excellent responsiveness to change in both the active and placebo arms (standardized response means all > 1.0). The Nepean Dyspepsia Index accounted for only 8% of the variance in percentage change in symptoms (by visual analogue scales), indicating that it was evaluating areas of life not covered by symptoms. The 10-item short form had adequate internal consistency (all scales , 0.70) and all strongly (and significantly) correlated with the long form sub-scales; it was also highly responsive. Conclusion: The Nepean Dyspepsia Index is a responsive disease-specific quality-of-life measure; the 10-item short form can be applied in clinical trials of functional dyspepsia. [source] Discharge consents in Scotland,PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 6 2002Andrew J Rosie Abstract The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is charged with the protection of the Scottish environment, and this is achieved through the regulation of polluting discharges and through consulting, influencing and educating others who interact with it. This paper describes aspects of the agency's regulatory work as it applies to the Scottish fish-farming industry. By far the largest sector of the industry in Scotland involves the rearing of fin-fish in cages, presently still dominated by Atlantic salmon, and the paper is based on experiences gained within this sector. The present circumstances affecting its development are described with reference to the environmental impacts associated with cage-rearing techniques used for production in marine waters. This paper briefly reviews the statutory background behind Scotland's system of discharge consents, including relevant aspects of European legislation. Methods developed to control the environmental risks posed by sea louse treatment chemicals are described. The concept of farming the sea is explored in relation to SEPA's ,allowable zone of effects' approach and the growing public concern about perceived environmental damage. Finally, the future prospects for the industry in Scotland are reviewed in relation to sea louse control. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Towards a social affordances perspective of media capabilities and interface designPROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2007Jason M. Turner This study examined the relationships between collaborative group work and communication technologies. First, a model of experience depicting the most perceptually relevant aspects of group work was produced using self-guided focus groups and survey responses. Eleven elements of the group work context, their interrelationships, and technologies supporting collaborative activity were described. The model suggested communication technologies are situated within contexts of use that affect and are affected by relevant aspects of that context. Participant task groups then resolved various problems using one of three technologies: face-to-face, voice conferencing, or chat. Activity unfolded longitudinally allowing for the emergence of situated actions, interaction, and technology effects. Individual and collective perceptions of how technology affected each element of the model, and how those elements impacted perceptions of technology, were analyzed via in-depth interviews. [source] Reduced change blindness suggests enhanced attention to detail in individuals with autismTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 3 2009Hayley Smith Background:, The phenomenon of change blindness illustrates that a limited number of items within the visual scene are attended to at any one time. It has been suggested that individuals with autism focus attention on less contextually relevant aspects of the visual scene, show superior perceptual discrimination and notice details which are often ignored by typical observers. Methods:, In this study we investigated change blindness in autism by asking participants to detect continuity errors deliberately introduced into a short film. Whether the continuity errors involved central/marginal or social/non-social aspects of the visual scene was varied. Thirty adolescent participants, 15 with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and 15 typically developing (TD) controls participated. Results:, The participants with ASD detected significantly more errors than the TD participants. Both groups identified more errors involving central rather than marginal aspects of the scene, although this effect was larger in the TD participants. There was no difference in the number of social or non-social errors detected by either group of participants. Conclusion:, In line with previous data suggesting an abnormally broad attentional spotlight and enhanced perceptual function in individuals with ASD, the results of this study suggest enhanced awareness of the visual scene in ASD. The results of this study could reflect superior top-down control of visual search in autism, enhanced perceptual function, or inefficient filtering of visual information in ASD. [source] No simple fix for fixation errors: cognitive processes and their clinical applicationsANAESTHESIA, Issue 1 2010E. Fioratou Summary Fixation errors occur when the practitioner concentrates solely upon a single aspect of a case to the detriment of other more relevant aspects. These are well recognised in anaesthetic practice and can contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Improvement in patient safety may be assisted by development and application of countermeasures to fixation errors. Cognitive psychologists use ,insight problems' in a laboratory setting, both to induce fixation and to explore strategies to escape from fixation. We present some results from a series of experiments on one such insight problem and consider applications that may have relevance to anaesthetic practice. [source] Selective retrieval and induced forgetting in eyewitness memoryAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Malen Migueles This study analyses retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) in eyewitness memory. Selective retrieval of specific information about an event could cause eyewitnesses to forget related contents. Based on a video of a man being robbed while withdrawing money from a cash machine, we examined the effects of partial retrieval on the most relevant aspects of the event: actions (Experiment 1) and offender characteristics (Experiment 2), in both immediate and long-term recall (24 hours). In both experiments long-term recall was a replica of immediate recall for correct information as well as errors. The effects of partial retrieval practice were also repeated in long-term recall. Conventional RIF was found for offender characteristics but selective retrieval of the actions of the event produced no comparable effect. It is assumed that the organisation and integration of the actions of the event protected them from RIF. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Genetic deficiency of Syk protects mice from autoantibody-induced arthritisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Zoltán Jakus Objective The Syk tyrosine kinase plays an important role in diverse functions in hematopoietic lineage cells. Although previous in vitro and pharmacologic analyses suggested Syk to be a possible player in the development of autoimmune arthritis, no in vivo genetic studies addressing that issue have yet been reported. The aim of the present study was to test whether genetic deficiency of Syk affects autoantibody-induced experimental arthritis in the K/BxN serum,transfer model. Methods Syk,/, bone marrow chimeras carrying a Syk-deficient hematopoietic system were generated by transplanting Syk,/, fetal liver cells into lethally irradiated wild-type recipients. After complete repopulation of the hematopoietic compartment, autoantibody-mediated arthritis was induced by injection of arthritogenic K/BxN serum. Arthritis development was monitored by macroscopic and microscopic observation of the ankle joints, micro,computed tomography of bone morphology, as well as a joint function assay. Results Genetic deficiency of Syk in the hematopoietic compartment completely blocked the development of all macroscopic and microscopic signs of arthritis. The Syk,/, mutation also prevented the appearance of periarticular bone erosions. Finally, Syk,/, bone marrow chimeras were completely protected from arthritis-induced loss of articular function. Conclusion Our results indicate that Syk is critically involved in the development of all clinically relevant aspects of autoantibody-mediated K/BxN serum,transfer arthritis in experimental mice. These results provide the first in vivo genetic evidence of the role of Syk in the development of autoimmune arthritis. [source] Unusual multifocal granulomatous disease caused by actinomycetous bacteria in a nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana)AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 1-2 2009FJ Park A nestling Derbyan parrot (Psittacula derbiana) was presented with unusual subcutaneous swellings of the thigh regions, and poor growth. Histological examination revealed actinomycetous bacteria associated with multifocal systemic granulomas. The clinical and pathological findings of the case are presented, and some relevant aspects of actinomycetous bacterial infections in mammals and birds are discussed. Although granulomatous disease is encountered at times in avian species, the actinomycetous bacteria (Nocardia and Actinomyces spp.) have rarely been reported in association with multifocal granulomatous disease in birds. [source] Sleep behaviour in preterm children from birth to age 10 years: A longitudinal studyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2006IVO IGLOWSTEIN Abstract Aim: To study clinically relevant aspects of sleep behaviour in preterm children in comparison to term children. Methods: Longitudinal sleep behaviour data were collected prospectively by structured interviews in 130 preterm and 75 control term children from birth to age 10 y. Results: No significant differences in sleep duration (time in bed per 24 h), bedsharing, night wakings, bedtime resistance and sleep-onset difficulties were found between preterm and term children. Conclusion: Sleep behaviour does not differ between preterm and term children from birth to age 10 y, indicating that prematurity or neonatal intensive care experience does not significantly affect sleep in the first 10 y of life. [source] Scalping of Flavors in Packaged FoodsCOMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2007M.G. Sajilata ABSTRACT:, Food packaging, although an integral part of the food chain, has a major drawback in that, often, the packaging material interacts with the flavor constituents of the food, causing either a selective or an extensive loss of desirable food flavors or absorption of undesirable off-flavors from the packaging material, thereby resulting in an eventual loss of quality of the packaged food item. The process is called "scalping" and is of great concern to the food industry, which is always looking out for new avenues in "packaging solutions" for its final product quality needs. The review highlights the various attributes of the scalping process, explores approaches to the reduction of the manifested undesirable effects, and covers other relevant aspects. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||