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Selected AbstractsVariables impacting on patients' perceptions of discharge from short-stay hospitalisation or same-day surgeryHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2000William S. Rowe DSW PSW Abstract The paper presents components of a study (n = 929) that was designed to examine, at one specific point in time, the hospital experience of the patient and the patient's corresponding recovery at home. Variables that captured the hospitalization and recovery experience relate to the degree of patient involvement in decisions about their treatment and discharge plans. Levels of health and recovery-related information reported by patients and their level of confidence in ability to resume regular activities once home were also measured. In general, individuals reported what many would consider having received less than optimal levels of information about their illness and recovery at home. Many patients also reported that they neither participated, nor were consulted on their needs or perceptions during their hospitalization. Expectations were that problems that patients might experience once home would have their origins in problems from within the community. However, the community resources were found to be less implicated and hospital resources more so. This suggests the importance of examining institutional issues even when one is focusing on the delivery of community services. [source] A longitudinal study of urinary dipstick parameters in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) in Côte d'IvoireAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2010Siv Aina J. Leendertz Abstract We performed 796 dip-stick tests on urine from 100 wild West African chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) from 4 habituated groups in the tropical rain forest of Taï National Park, Cote d'Ivoire, to establish reference values for health monitoring. Specific gravity was also measured on 359 urine samples from 62 chimpanzees. The effect of age, sex, group, month, estrus, pregnancy, meat consumption, and acute respiratory disease on pH, leucocytes, protein, blood, hemoglobin, and glucose was examined using ordinal logistic regression. The presence of nitrite, ketones, bilirubin, and urobilinogen in urine was also recorded. Outbreak of acute respiratory disease did not influence any of the urinary parameters. Thirty-seven percent of the samples had a pH <7 and the whole range of pH was found through the year, in all age groups, and in both sexes. Meat consumption lowered the urinary pH. Our results show that all pH levels must be considered normal for the West African chimpanzee subspecies P. troglodytes verus living in the rainforest. We also found a cluster of glucose-positive samples at a specific point in time which was not attributed to diabetes mellitus. These findings highlight that there are differences in normal physiological parameters among wild chimpanzees living in different habitats. Am. J. Primatol. 72:689,698, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diagnostic effects of prolonged storage on fresh effusion samples,,DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Frances Manosca M.D. Abstract The effects on morphology and diagnostic interpretation of delayed processing of refrigerated effusion samples have not been well documented. The potential for cellular degeneration has led many laboratories to reflexively fix samples rather than submit fresh/refrigerated samples for cytologic examination. We sought to determine if effusion specimens are suitable for morphologic, immunocytochemical, and DNA-based molecular studies after prolonged periods of refrigerated storage time. Ten fresh effusion specimens were refrigerated at 4°C; aliquots were processed at specific points in time (days 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14). Specimens evaluated included four pleural (3 benign, 1 breast adenocarcinoma) and six peritoneal (2 ovarian adenocarcinomas, 1 malignant melanoma, 2 mesotheliomas, 1 atypical mesothelial) effusions. The morphology of the cytologic preparations from the 10 effusions was preserved and interpretable after 14 days of storage at 4°C. The immunocytochemical profile of the samples (AE1/AE3, EMA, calretinin, and LCA) was consistent from day 0 to day 14. Amplifiable DNA was present in all samples tested on day 14. We conclude that cytopathologic interpretation of effusion samples remains reliable with refrigeration at 4°C even if processing is delayed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:6,11. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] States, Social Policies and Globalisations Arguing on the Right Terrain?IDS BULLETIN, Issue 4 2000Mick Moore Summaries The debate about future social policies in OECD countries is framed in the light of rich country concerns, notably of a ,welfare state at risk'. Because globalisation processes can plausibly be presented as a major source of threat, there is a temptation to generalise the analysis globally, and to assume that social policy issues in poor countries are fundamentally the same as in OECD states. The debate about the future of social policy in poor countries should not be framed in terms of OECD concerns. Three more specific points underpin this general argument: (a) Economic globalisation is not necessarily a threat. There are good historical reasons for believing that it may create political pressures to extend as well as to shrink social provision in poor countries; (b) There is a fundamental problem of state incapacity in much of the poor world that makes many OECD-based arguments about the proper role of the state appear redundant. Greater state capacity will itself lead to more effective social policies; and (c) It makes little sense for poor countries to resist, on grounds of potential adverse impacts on social policy, the trends toward the adoption of either New Public Management practices or the broader shift from ,positive' to regulatory states. Whatever changes occur in the architecture of poor states, more effective regulation will remain an urgent need. [source] Shaping ability of Hero 642 rotary nickel,titanium instruments in simulated root canals: Part 2INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 3 2000S. A. Thompson Abstract Aim To determine the shaping ability of Hero 642 nickel,titanium rotary instruments during the preparation of simulated canals. Methodology A total of 40 simulated root canals made up of four different shapes, in terms of angle and position of curvature, were prepared by Hero 642 instruments using a crown-down preparation sequence. Pre- and postoperative images of the canals were taken using a video camera attached to a computer with image analysis software. The pre- and postoperative views were superimposed to highlight the amount and position of material removed during preparation. This report describes the efficacy of the instruments in terms of prevalence of canal aberrations, the amount and direction of canal transportation and overall postoperative shape. Results Four zips and four elbows were created during preparation, all in canals with 40°, 12 mm curves. No perforations or danger zones were created. Highly significant differences (P < 0.001) were apparent between the canal shapes in total canal width at the apex and beginning of the curve, and in the amount of resin removed from the inner and outer aspects of the curve at the orifice. Canal transportation was most frequently directed toward the outer aspect of the curve at specific points along the canal, except at the orifice, where it was apparent that canals with 20° curves transported toward the inner. Overall, mean absolute transportation was always less than 0.15 mm; however, significant differences occurred between canal shapes at the end-point (P < 0.01), apex of the curve (P < 0.01) and at the orifice (P < 0.01). Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, Hero 642 rotary nickel,titanium instruments created canals with few aberrations and no perforations. The relatively high proportion of aberrations in canals with short, acute curves may indicate that instruments with increased taper should be used with caution at or near the full working distance. Further research in real teeth is necessary to elucidate the full potential of these new rotary instruments for use in root canal preparation. [source] Lack of evidence of the effectiveness of primary brachial plexus surgery for infants (under the age of two years) diagnosed with obstetric brachial plexus palsyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 4 2006Andrea Bialocerkowski PhD M App Sc (Physio) M App Sc (Physio) Grad Dip Public Health Abstract Background, Obstetric brachial plexus palsy, which occurs in 1,3 per 1000 live births, results from traction and/or compression of the brachial plexus in utero, during descent through the birth canal or during delivery. This results in a spectrum of injuries that range in extent of damage and severity and can lead to a lifelong impairment and functional difficulties associated with the use of the affected upper limb. Most infants diagnosed with obstetric brachial plexus palsy receive treatment, such as surgery to the brachial plexus, physiotherapy or occupational therapy, within the first months of life. However, there is controversy regarding the most effective form of management. This review follows on from our previous systematic review which investigated the effectiveness of primary conservative management in infants with obstetric brachial plexus palsy. This systematic review focuses on the effects of primary surgery. Objectives, The objective of this review was to systematically assess and collate all available evidence on effectiveness of primary brachial plexus surgery for infants with obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Search strategy, A systematic literature search was performed using 13 databases: TRIP, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Proquest 5000, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, Expanded Academic ASAP, Meditext, Science Direct, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Proquest Digital Dissertations, Open Archives Initiative Search Engine, the Australian Digital Thesis program. Those studies that were reported in English and published between July 1992 to June 2004 were included in this review. Selection criteria, Quantitative studies that investigated the effectiveness of primary brachial plexus surgery for infants with obstetric brachial plexus palsy were eligible for inclusion into this review. This excluded studies where infants were solely managed conservatively or with pharmacological agents, or underwent surgery for the management of secondary deformities. Data collection and analysis, Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of each study for inclusion into the review, the study design used and its methodological quality. Where any disagreement occurred, consensus was reached by discussion. Studies were also assessed for clinical homogeneity by considering populations, interventions and outcomes. Where heterogeneity was present, synthesis was undertaken in a narrative format. Results, Twenty-one studies were included in the review. Most were ranked low on the hierarchy of evidence (no randomised controlled trials were found), and most had only fair methodological quality. Surgical intervention was variable, as were the eligibility criteria for surgery, the timing of surgery and the outcome instruments used to evaluate the effect of surgery. Therefore, it is difficult to draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of primary brachial plexus surgery for infants with obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Conclusions, Although there is a wealth of information regarding the outcome following primary brachial plexus surgery it was not possible to determine whether this treatment is effective in increasing functional recovery in infants with obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Further research is required to develop standardised surgical criteria, and standardised outcome measures should be used at specific points in time during the recovery process to facilitate comparison between studies. Moreover, comparison groups are required to determine the relative effectiveness of surgery compared with other forms of management. [source] Computational characterization of nucleotide bases: Molecular surface electrostatic potentials and local ionization energies, and local polarization energiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 3-4 2001Jane S. Murray Abstract Electrostatic potentials and local ionization energies have been computed at the HF/6-31G* level on the molecular surfaces of the five nucleotide bases. The potentials are analyzed in terms of their most positive and negative values as well as several statistically defined quantities that reflect their patterns over the entire surface. Considerable charge separation and variability are found for all five molecules. The results are consistent with the base pairing that is known to occur. The observed reactive behavior toward electrophiles can be interpreted in terms of the complementary roles of the surface potential and the local electron lability. Local polarization energies, corresponding to a test charge being placed at specific points above the molecules, are also calculated (HF/6-31+G*), and their relationship to the local ionization energies is examined. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 83: 245,254, 2001 [source] Photocatalytic degradation for environmental applications , a reviewJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Dhananjay S Bhatkhande Abstract Photocatalysis is a rapidly expanding technology for wastewater treatment. In this review the chemical effects of various variables on the rate of degradation of different pollutants are discussed in detail. The effects of adsorption, temperature, intensity of light, pH, and the presence of anions, cations, etc have been specifically covered. A critical analysis of the available literature data has been made and some general conclusions have been drawn concerning the above mentioned effects. The need for more work on specific points has been brought out. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Maternal genetic effects on adaptive divergence between anadromous and resident brook charr during early life historyJOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005G. M. L. PERRY Abstract The importance of directional selection relative to neutral evolution may be determined by comparing quantitative genetic variation in phenotype (QST) to variation at neutral molecular markers (FST). Quantitative divergence between salmonid life history types is often considerable, but ontogenetic changes in the significance of major sources of genetic variance during post-hatch development suggest that selective differentiation varies by developmental stage. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that maternal genetic differentiation between anadromous and resident brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) populations for early quantitative traits (embryonic size/growth, survival, egg number and developmental time) would be greater than neutral genetic differentiation, but that the maternal genetic basis for differentiation would be higher for pre-resorption traits than post-resorption traits. Quantitative genetic divergence between anadromous (seawater migratory) and resident Laval River (Québec) brook charr based on maternal genetic variance was high (QST > 0.4) for embryonic length, yolk sac volume, embryonic growth rate and time to first response to feeding relative to neutral genetic differentiation [FST = 0.153 (0.071,0.214)], with anadromous females having positive genetic coefficients for all of the above characters. However, QST was essentially zero for all traits post-resorption of the yolk sac. Our results indicate that the observed divergence between resident and anadromous brook charr has been driven by directional selection, and may therefore be adaptive. Moreover, they provide among the first evidence that the relative importance of selective differentiation may be highly context-specific, and varies by genetic contributions to phenotype by parental sex at specific points in offspring ontogeny. This in turn suggests that interpretations of QST - FST comparisons may be improved by considering the structure of quantitative genetic architecture by age category and the sex of the parent used in estimation. [source] Tephra-linked peat humification records from Irish ombrotrophic bogs question nature of solar forcing at 850 cal. yr BC,JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006G. Plunkett Abstract This paper investigates evidence for palaeoclimatic changes during the period ca. 1500,500,cal.,yr BC through peat humification studies on seven Irish ombrotrophic bogs. The sites are well-correlated by the identification of three mid-first millennium BC tephras, which enable the humification records at specific points in time to be directly compared. Phases of temporarily increased wetness are suggested at ca. 1300,1250,cal.,yr BC, ca. 1150,1050 cal.,yr BC, ca. 940,cal.,yr BC and ca. 740,cal.,yr BC. The last of these is confirmed to be synchronous at five sites, suggesting external forcing on a regional scale. The timing of this wet-shift is constrained by two closely dated tephras and is demonstrated to be distinct from the widely reported changes to cooler/wetter conditions associated with a solar minimum at 850,760,cal.,yr BC, at which time the Irish sites appear instead to experience drier conditions. The results suggest the possibility of either non-uniform responses to solar forcing in northwest Europe at this time, or the existence of unrelated climate events in the early first millennium BC. The findings caution against the correlation of loosely dated palaeoclimate data if the effects of forcing mechanisms are to be understood. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The textual organization of placement into long-term care: issues for older adults with mental illnessNURSING INQUIRY, Issue 1 2010Annette Lane LANE A, McCOY L and EWASHEN C. Nursing Inquiry 2010: 17: 3,14 The textual organization of placement into long-term care: issues for older adults with mental illness Arranging placement of older adults from hospital mental health units into nursing homes or assisted living facilities can be difficult and protracted. The difficulty in placing these individuals is often attributed to stigma; that is, personnel in nursing homes are reluctant to accept mentally ill older adults because of the fear of mental illness and violence. Using an institutional ethnographic approach, we argue the importance of exploring how nursing home access is organized, especially the institutional process of placement. Our study, examining the process of placing older adults from mental health units into nursing homes or assisted living facilities within a western Canadian city, reveals how three specific textual points within the institutional process of placement do not work well for older adults with mental illness. These textual points include: constructing the older adult as a ,placeable' person, the first-level match and the second-level match. After exploring why the three specific points in the process do not work well for mentally ill individuals, we reconsider the explanation of stigma, and then suggest implications for change. [source] Identification of van Hove singularities in the GaN dielectric function: a comparison of the cubic and hexagonal phasePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 7 2009C. Cobet Abstract We present a detailed analysis of interband transition structures in the dielectric function of GaN. The dielectric function of the stable wurtzite and the metastable zinc blende phase were determined by means of synchrotron spectroscopic ellipsometry in the spectral range between 3 eV and 20 eV where the most significant structures of the dielectric function are located. In the hexagonal case, both the ordinary and extraordinary dielectric tensor component was measured on GaN films with M -plane/[1 00] orientation. In a comparative discussion of the two hexagonal tensor components and the zinc blende dielectric function, all prominent absorption structures were assigned to specific interband transitions at high symmetry points in the Brillouin zone. The assignment considers the individual dipole transition probabilities depending on the crystal symmetry and the geometry of the measurement. Furthermore, a detailed theoretical band-to-band analysis of dielectric function features, published by Lambrecht et al. [1], was considered. In conclusion, we suggest a new labeling of absorption structures as used in classical III,V materials like GaAs, which reflects the origin of transition structures from specific points in the respective Brillouin zones. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Aspects Regarding the Conception, Modeling and Implementation of an Articulated Robot in Space with Noises and VibrationsPROCEEDINGS IN APPLIED MATHEMATICS & MECHANICS, Issue 1 2008Virgil Ispas The authors want to conceive and to model a structure of a 6R serial modular industrial robot with six freedom degrees. Some specific points are followed: the direct geometric modelling of the robot using the matrix of rotation method, the given in 3D modelling of the robot, the presentation of its components having some possible applications in the processes of production in the spaces with noises and vibrations. The direct geometrical modelling will be determinate the relative orientation matrices, which express the position of each system Ti, (i=1-6), according to the system Ti,1, also expressing the vectors of relative position of origin Oi of the systems Ti. They will be expressed the orientation of each system Ti in account to the fixed system To attached to the robot base, the set of independent parameters of orientation then are obtained the final equation of the column vector of the generalized coordinates, which express the position and the orientation of the clamping device. The paper presents the two possible applications of the studied robot implementation in a flexible manufacturing cel for the manipulation operations of parts. The robot will be used on the other side for the execution of weld in a points applied to the car carcases. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Tagging the tags, Process, observations and analysis of conversations in metatagging at an ASIST interactive poster sessionPROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2007Jennifer E. Graham Results from a 2006 ASIST poster session on tagger's motivations are presented. Researcher's conducted short conversations with conference participants as they viewed the researchers' poster and tagged its contents. Using a content analysis method, researchers' conversations with participants were analyzed. Content analysis revealed six broad themes or "clusters" of interest: 1) General, 2) Observations, 3) Specific Uses/Suggestions, 4) Curricular, 5) Concerns and 6) Opportunities/Potentials. Within those clusters various specific points were ranked by frequency of occurrence. Overall findings indicate the ASIST community is interested in seeing what happens with this phenomenon, but voiced very real concerns about the longevity of tagging, specific uses in scholarly environments, and the effect it will have on annotation, bibliographic, and subject analysis. [source] PANOPTIC VISIONS OF LONDON: POSSESSING THE METROPOLISART HISTORY, Issue 2 2009DANA ARNOLD The role of sight in the experience of the metropolis as a cultural artefact had a special significance in the opening years of the nineteenth century. The visual register of the city was at once static , the panoptic vision , and fluid , the mobile and subjective gaze of the flâneur/euse. This scrutiny of the city as cultural capital operated on several levels. I want to demonstrate the complexities of the interaction of city, consumer/viewer and the role/agency of the textual/visual interlocutor. Any exploration of London as cultural capital must take into account this broader pan European phenomenon. The aim here is not to produce a comparative history, but rather to benefit from the specific points of contact between London and its near neighbour Paris as regards the consumption of the city and its emergence as cultural capital by a range of publics. My frame is the Benjaminian notion of the city as fragment or miniature as played out in his Arcades Project [source] Cell deposition system based on laser guidanceBIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 9 2006Russell K. Pirlo Abstract We have designed a laser cell deposition system that employs the phenomenon of laser guidance to place single cells at specific points in a variety of in vitro environments. Here, we describe the components of the system: the laser optics, the deposition chamber, the microinjection cell feeding system and our custom system control software application. We discuss the requirements and challenges involved in laser guidance of cells and how our present system overcomes these challenges. We demonstrate that the patterning system is accurate within one micrometer by repeatedly depositing polymer microspheres and measuring their position. We demonstrate its ability to create highly defined living patterns of cells by creating a defined pattern of neurons with neurite extensions displaying normal function. We found that the positional accuracy of our system is smaller than the variations in cell size and pattern disruptions that occur from normal cell movement during substrate adhesion. The laser cell deposition system is a potentially useful tool that can be used to achieve site- and time-specific placement of an individual cell in a cell culture for the systematic investigation of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. [source] Characterization of Diffusion Processes of Pharmacologically Relevant Molecules through Polydimethylsiloxane Membranes by Confocal Micro-resonance Raman SpectroscopyCHEMPHYSCHEM, Issue 3 2003Michael Schmitt Focus on diffusion. Confocal micro resonance Raman spectroscopy (see picture) was applied to investigate the kinetics of diffusion processes of , -carotene dissolved in DMSO through polydimethylsiloxane membranes. By using this technique the dynamics of the diffusion process at well-defined points inside the membrane and the formation of a concentration gradient before reaching steady-state conditions at specific points inside the membrane can be observed. [source] Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: an effective and evidence-based treatment , comments in response to Mercer and PignottiCHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK, Issue 1 2010Arthur Becker-Weidman ABSTRACT This paper describes the evidence base for Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as an evidence-based, empirically validated, and effective family-therapy treatment for children with reactive attachment disorder and complex trauma. It is in response to a note by Mercer, Pennington, Pignotti, & Rosa. to our previous paper describing the evidence-base of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. The paper summarizes the extensive empirical literature that describes the effectiveness of such dimensions of Dyadic Develop-mental Psychotherapy as affect arousal and regulation, gradual expo-sure to trauma, parent education and consultation, explaining how the past may be continuing to affect present behaviour, forming and maintaining a therapeutic relationship through therapist acceptance, affirmation, empathy and various other dimensions. The paper presents several generally accepted criteria for determining evidence-based practice and evidence-based treatment and demonstrates how Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy meets those criteria. These criteria include those developed by Saunders et al., the UK National Health Services system, and the US Preventative Services Task Force system for ranking the quality of evidence. Finally, the paper responds to specific points raised by Mercer et al. indicating those with which we agree and those with which we disagree. 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