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Coherent Model (coherent + model)
Selected AbstractsThe physiological basis of human sexual arousal: neuroendocrine sexual asymmetryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2005ION G. MOTOFEI Summary Normal sexual arousal and response suppose an integrated process involving both physiological and psychological processes. However, the current understanding of sexual arousal does not provide a coherent model that accounts for the integration of multiple physiological systems that subsequently generate a coordinated sexual response at both the spinal peripheral and cerebral central levels. Herein we suggest a model that involves both sympathetic and parasympathetic activation during sexual arousal via the two classes of gonadal hormones, androgens and oestrogens. We discuss the manner in which gonadal hormones may activate such a system, transforming pre-pubertal (non-erotic) genital stimulation to post-pubertal erogenization of stimulation and subsequent sexual arousal. Finally, we indicate that the different balance of androgens and oestrogens in men and women may generate asymmetric effects on each of the components of the autonomic nervous system, thereby explaining some of the differences in patterns of sexual arousal and the responses cycle across the sexes. [source] The second educational revolution: rethinking education in the age of technologyJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 1 2010A. Collins Abstract This paper drew upon a recent book (Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology) to summarize a number of prospects and challenges arising from the appropriation of digital technology into learning and educational practice. Tensions between traditional models of schooling and the affordances of digital media were noted, while the promise of these technologies for shaping a new system of education was reviewed. It was argued that new technology brings radical opportunities but also significant challenges. The urgency of seeking a coherent model for the future of education in a technological age was stressed. [source] Quality assurance in medical and public health genetics services: A systematic review,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2009Ann F. Chou Abstract As genetic services grow in scope, issues of quality assessment in genetic services are emerging. These efforts are well developed for molecular and cytogenetic testing and laboratories, and newborn screening programs, but assessing quality in clinical services has lagged, perhaps owing to the small work force and the recent evolution from a few large training programs to multiple training sites. We surveyed the English language, peer-reviewed literature to summarize the knowledge-base of quality assessment of genetics services, organized into the tripartite categories of the Donabedian model of "structure," "process," and "outcome." MEDLINE searches from 1990 to July 2008, yielded 2,143 articles that addressed both "medical/genetic screening and counseling" and "quality indicators, control, and assurance." Of the 2,143 titles, 131 articles were extracted for in-depth analysis, and 55 were included in this review. Twenty-nine articles focused on structure, 19 on process, and seven on outcomes. Our review underscored the urgent need for a coherent model that will provide health care organizations with tools to assess, report, monitor, and improve quality. The structure, process, and outcomes domains that make up the quality framework provide a comprehensive lens through which to examine quality in medical genetics. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Addressing Central Nervous System (CNS) Penetration in Drug Discovery: Basics and Implications of the Evolving New ConceptCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 11 2009Andreas Reichel Abstract Despite enormous efforts, achieving a safe and efficacious concentration profile in the brain remains one of the big challenges in central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery and development. Although there are multiple reasons, many failures are due to underestimating the complexity of the brain, also in terms of pharmacokinetics (PK). To this day, PK support of CNS drug discovery heavily relies on improving the blood,brain barrier (BBB) permeability in vitro and/or the brain/plasma ratio (Kp) in vivo, even though neither parameter can be reliably linked to pharmacodynamic (PD) and efficacy readouts. While increasing BBB permeability may shorten the onset of drug action, an increase in the total amount in brain may not necessarily increase the relevant drug concentration at the pharmacological target. Since the traditional Kp ratio is based on a crude homogenization of brain tissue, it ignores the compartmentalization of the brain and an increase favors non-specific binding to brain lipids rather than free drug levels. To better link exposure/PK to efficacy/PD and to delineate key parameters, an integrated approach to CNS drug discovery is emerging which distinguishes total from unbound brain concentrations. As the complex nature of the brain requires different compartments to be considered when trying to understand and improve new compounds, several complementary parameters need to be measured in vitro and in vivo, and integrated into a coherent model of brain penetration and distribution. The new paradigm thus concentrates on finding drug candidates with the right balance between free fraction in plasma and brain, and between rate and extent of CNS penetration. Integrating this data into a coherent model of CNS distribution which can be linked to efficacy will allow it to design compounds with an optimal mix in physicochemical, pharmacologic, and pharmacokinetic properties, ultimately mitigating the risk for failures in the clinic. [source] Aggression and Moral Development: Integrating Social Information Processing and Moral Domain ModelsCHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2004William F. Arsenio Social information processing and moral domain theories have developed in relative isolation from each other despite their common focus on intentional harm and victimization, and mutual emphasis on social cognitive processes in explaining aggressive, morally relevant behaviors. This article presents a selective summary of these literatures with the goal of showing how they can be integrated into a single, coherent model. An essential aspect of this integration is Crick and Dodge's (1994) distinction between latent mental structures and online processing. It is argued that moral domain theory is relevant for describing underlying mental structures regarding the nature and boundaries of what is moral, whereas the social information processing model describes the online information processing that affects application of moral structures during peer interactions. [source] A model of personal professional development in the systematic training of clinical psychologistsCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 4 2007Alia I. Sheikh Staff development has been identified as a key way to improve the delivery of psychological therapies, particularly through enhancing professionals' capacity for reflective practice. Traditionally, the ,reflective practitioner' model has guided how we train professionals to deliver therapies, but this model is vague and needs refinement. We therefore outlined a more coherent model, by integrating the ideas and methods of these and other educationalists into our working definition of the ,Personal Professional Development' (PPD). We proposed that reflection can be made explicit within a circumplex model that is based upon an experiential learning cycle. This allowed ,reflective practice' to be developed systematically and analyzed empirically. We detailed how PPD is addressed within one clinical psychology training program, and provided some initial, promising evaluation data to support the approach. The need for further development and evaluation of our model and its associated methods is discussed as an appropriately reflexive next phase.,Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||