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Common Use (common + use)
Selected AbstractsCommon use of sleeping sites by two primate species in Tana River, KenyaAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Geoffrey M. Wahungu Abstract Choice of sleeping sites by two species of primates sharing two adjacent patches of gallery forest in Tana River, Kenya, was studied between August 1992 and February 1993. One group each of the Tana crested mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus galeritus Peters, and yellow baboon, Papio cynocephalus cynocephalus L., interchangeably shared nine sleeping sites distributed among four tree species, Acacia robusta Burch., Ficus sycomorus L., Abizzia gummifera (J. F. Gmel.) E. A. Sm. and Pachystela msolo (Engl.) Engl. The trees used by both species as sleeping sites were mainly tall trees with canopy level or emergent crowns. The trees had relatively larger crowns and lower percentage canopy cover compared to other trees at the site and were characterized by poor to moderate accessibility. Overlap in use of sleeping sites was never simultaneous and baboons occasionally supplanted mangabeys. Site choice by these two primates appeared to be influenced by predation risk, the feeding area used in the late afternoon, daily range and the availability of trees with the preferred structural characteristics. Sleeping sites appeared to be limited during and immediately after the wet season, when the frequency of supplantings increased. This observation is attributed to an increase in percentage canopy cover. Résumé Entre août 92 et février 93, on a étudié le choix des lieux de sommeil par des primates qui partageaient deux portions adjacentes de la galerie forestière de la rivière Tana, au Kenya. Un groupe de cercocèbes à crête, Cercocebus galeritus galeritus Peters, et un de babouins olive, Papio cynocephalus cynocephalus L., partageaient pour y dormir, de façon interchangeable, neuf emplacements répartis parmi quatre espèces d'arbres, Acacia robusta Burch., Ficus sycomorus L., Abizzia gummifera (J.F. Gmel) E.A. Sm. Et Pachystela msolo (Engl) Engl. Les arbres qui servent aux deux espèces comme sites de sommeil étaient principalement des arbres élevés, avec une canopée ou une couronne émergentes. Les arbres avaient une couronne relativement plus large et une couverture de la canopée dont le pourcentage était relativement plus bas que celui des autres arbres de l'endroit, et ils se caractérisaient par une accessibilité médiocre à modérée. Le recouvrement entre les sites de sommeil n'étaient jamais simultanés, et à l'occasion, les babouins supplantaient les cercocèbes. Le choix des sites par ces deux primates semblait influencé par les risques de prédation, par l'aire de nourrissage fréquentée en fin d'après midi, par le déplacement de la journée et par la disponibilité d'arbres qui présentaient les caractéristiques structurelles souhaitées. Les sites de sommeil semblent être limités à la saison des pluies et juste après, lorsque la fréquence d'évictions augmentait. Cette observation a été attribuée à une augmentation du pourcentage du couvert de la canopée. [source] Grids challenged by a Web 2.0 and multicore sandwichCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 3 2009Geoffrey Fox Abstract We discuss the application of Web 2.0 to support scientific research (e-Science) and related ,e-more or less anything' applications. Web 2.0 offers interesting technical approaches (protocols, message formats, and programming tools) to build core e-infrastructure (cyberinfrastructure) as well as many interesting services (Facebook, YouTube, Amazon S3/EC2, and Google maps) that can add value to e-infrastructure projects. We discuss why some of the original Grid goals of linking the world's computer systems may not be so relevant today and that interoperability is needed at the data and not always at the infrastructure level. Web 2.0 may also support Parallel Programming 2.0,a better parallel computing software environment motivated by the need to run commodity applications on multicore chips. A ,Grid on the chip' will be a common use of future chips with tens or hundreds of cores. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A European interlaboratory testing of three well-known procedures for immunocytochemical detection of epithelial cells in bone marrow.CYTOMETRY, Issue 6 2006Results from analysis of normal bone marrow Abstract Background: This investigation intended to study the unspecific background to be expected in normal bone marrow (BM), comparing three well recognized protocols for immunocytochemical detection of disseminated carcinoma cells. The interlaboratory variation in screening and evaluation of stained cells was analyzed and different screening methods were compared. Methods: BM mononuclear cells (BM MNC) from 48 normal BMs were immunostained in parallel by three participating laboratories. The protocols, based on three different anti-cytokeratin antibodies, have all been in common use for detection of disseminated carcinoma cells: the A45-B/B3 protocol (Hamburg), the CK2 protocol (Augsburg) and the AE1AE3 protocol (Oslo). For all protocols, the immunostained cells were visualized by the same alkaline-phosphatase (AP) detection system (APAAP) followed by detection of the cells by manual screening and by two different automated screening systems (ACIS from Chromavision and MDS1 from Applied Imaging). Detected AP-visualized cells were morphologically classified into unambiguous hematopoietic (Uhc) and questionable cells (Qc, potentially interpreted as tumor cells). Results: Seven of 48 BMs (15%) harbored ,1 AP-visualized cell(s) among 1 × 106 BM MNC, both for the A45-B/B3- and for the AE1AE3 protocol, while for CK2 a higher proportion of BMs (21 BMs; 44%) harbored AP-visualized cells (P < 0.01, McNemar's test). The number of Qc was, for all protocols, 1 log lower than the total number of AP-visualized cells. On average, the frequency of Qc was 0.04, 0.08, and 0.02 per 106 BM MNC with A45-B/B3, CK2 and AE1AE3, respectively, and the number of Qc-positive BMs 1, 4, and 1. The MDS1 screening sensitivity was similar to manual screening, while ACIS detected fewer cells (P < 0.001, McNemar's test). Conclusions: All protocols resulted in AP-visualization of occasional hematopoietic cells. However, morphological classification brings the specificity to a satisfactory high level. Approximately 10% of AP-visualized cells were categorized "questionable". The CK2 protocol turned out less specific than the A45-B/B3 and AE1AE3 protocols. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology. [source] The Effects of Ambulance Diversion: A Comprehensive ReviewACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Julius Cuong Pham MD Objectives To review the current literature on the effects of ambulance diversion (AD). Methods The authors performed a systematic review of AD and its effects. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane database, societal meeting abstracts, and references from relevant articles were searched. All articles were screened for relevance to AD. Results The authors examined 600 citations and reviewed the 107 articles relevant to AD. AD is a common occurrence that is increasing in frequency. AD is associated with periods of emergency department (ED) crowding (Mondays, mid-afternoon to early evening, influenza season, and when hospitals are at capacity). Interventions that redesign the AD process or that provide additional hospital or ED resources reduce diversion frequency. AD is associated with increased patient transport times and time to thrombolytics but not with mortality. AD is associated with loss of estimated hospital revenues. Short of anecdotal or case reports, no studies measured the effect of AD on ED crowding, morbidity, patient and provider satisfaction, or EMS resource utilization. Conclusions Despite its common use, there is a relative paucity of studies on the effects of AD. Further research into these effects should be performed so that we may understand the role of AD in the health system. [source] CE-ESI-MS/MS as a rapid screening tool for the comparison of protein,ligand interactionsELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7 2010Thomas Hoffmann Abstract In drug development, the combinatorial synthesis of drug libraries is common use, therefore efficient tools for the characterization of drug candidates and the extent of interaction between a drug and its target protein is a central question of analytical interest. While biological activity is tested today by enzyme assays, MS techniques attract more and more attention as an alternative for a rapid comparison of drug,target interactions. CE enables the separation of proteins and drug,enzyme complexes preserving their physiological activity in aqueous media. By hyphenating CE with ESI-MS/MS, the binding strength of enzyme inhibitors can be deduced from MS/MS experiments, which selectively release the inhibitor from the drug,target complex after CID. In this study, ,-chymotrypsin (CT), a serine protease, was chosen as a model compound. Chymostatin is a naturally occurring peptide aldehyde binding to CT through a hemiacetal bond and electrostatic interaction. First, a CE separation was developed, which allows the analysis of ,-CT and a chymotrypsin,chymostatin complex under MS-compatible conditions. The use of neutral-coated CE capillaries was mandatory to reduce analyte,wall interactions. ESI-quadrupole ion trap-MS was worked out to demonstrate the selective drug release after CID. Fragmentation of the drug,enzyme complex was monitored in dependence from the excitation energy in the ion trap, leading to the V50 voltage that enables 50% complex fragmentation as a reference value for chymotrypsin,chymostatin complex. A stable CE-ESI-MS/MS setup was established, which preserves the drug,enzyme complexes during ionization,desolvation processes. With this optimized setup, different CT inhibitors could be investigated and compared. [source] Brine shrimp bioassay: Importance of correct taxonomic identification of Artemia (Anostraca) speciesENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2008David R. Ruebhart Abstract Despite the common use of the brine shrimp bioassay in toxicology, there is confusion in the literature regarding citation of the correct taxonomic identity of the Artemia species used. The genus Artemia, once thought to be represented by a single species Artemia salina, is now known to be composed of several bisexual species as well as parthenogenetic populations. Artemia franciscana is the best studied of the Artemia species and is considered to represent the vast majority of studies in which Artemia is used as an experimental test organism. We found that in studies referring to the use of A. salina, the zoogeography of the cyst harvest site indicated that the species used was actually A. franciscana. Those performing bioassays with Artemia need to exercise diligence in assigning correct species identification, as the identity of the test organism is an important parameter in assuring the validity of the results of the assay. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2008. [source] Meshing noise effect in design of experiments using computer experimentsENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 5-6 2002J. P. Caire Abstract This work is intended to show the influence of grid length and meshing technique on the empirical modeling of current distribution in an industrial electroplating reactor. This study confirms the interest of usual DOEs for computer experiments. Any 2D mesh generator induced, in this sensitive case, a significant noise representing only less than 5 per cent of the response. The ,experimental error' obeys a normal distribution and the associated replicate SDs represents 20 per cent of the global residual standard deviation. The geometry seems also to influence the corresponding noise. If the current density uniformity could be considered as a severe test, it is obvious that the noise generated by meshing would be amplified for 3D grids that will be in common use in future years. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Haematological and respiratory gas changes in horses and mules exercised at altitude (3800 m)EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S36 2006H. M. GREENE Summary Reason for performing study: Despite the common use of equids as visitors to high altitude mountainous environments, there are a paucity of carefully orchestrated scientific approaches. Further, again as a function of a common perceived advantage of mules over horses in these similar environments there are needs for controlled comparisons between these 2 equids. Objective: To measure haematological and respiratory function in horses and mules at low altitude (225 m), at rest and post exercise. In addition the rate and magnitude of these changes were followed over a 13 day period at high altitude (3800 m) to contrast acclimatisation. Methods: Resting and exercise venous blood samples (1 min post exercise) were obtained from 6 horses and 5 mules housed at 225 m (LA) and then transported to 3800 m (HA) for 13 days. The standardised exercise tests at both LA and HA consisted of trotting (3.0 m/sec) up an incline (6%) for 2 km. Data were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA (comparison of altitude acclimatisation and species) for changes in haematological and respiratory gases. Results: At low altitude, no group differences were found with both resting (P=0.69) and exercising (P=0.74) heart rates. Resting PCV was 8% lower in the mules (P=0.02) and 20% lower during exercise (P=0.02). Horses had significantly higher 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG)/g Hb at both rest (P=0.003) and exercise (P=0.03). Exercise at HA increased PCV (P=0.03) in both groups, but the increase was attenuated in the mules compared to horses. The increase with 2,3-DPG/g Hb was expressed at HA in both groups (P=0.001) and was also attenuated in mules (P=0.03). Both groups were alkalotic compared to LA (P=0.001), and there were no group differences (P = 0.95). Conclusion: Of the variables measured, the most notable distinction between species was identified for only PCV and 2,3-DPG with both higher in horses, at both LA and HA. While the attenuated response of PCV in mules for the same exercise might argue for an improved adaptation to altitude, the lower 2,3-DPG might not. Other variables during the exercise bout were not different between species. [source] Six Ages towards a Learning Region , A RetrospectiveEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, Issue 3 2010NORMAN LONGWORTH Learning Cities and Learning Regions are terms now in common use as a result of the growing importance of lifelong learning concepts to the economic, social and environmental future of people and places. Why ,learning' regions? Why not intelligent, creative, clever, smart or knowledge regions? In truth, all of these can, and some do, also exist, but we argue that this is not a semantic debate. The basis of intelligence, smartness, cleverness, creativity and knowledge is effective learning and its intelligent application in creating a better future. We can, we believe, only learn our way into the future and the same is true, in developmental terms, of cities, towns, regions and communities. What therefore is a learning region? Definitions tend to differ according to perception, situation, occupation and objective. Where the focus is on technology a learning region will emphasise the advantages of hi-tech for the development of a physical infrastructure that will assist regeneration and be useful for more efficient behaviour and learning by people and organisations. Hence the growth of ,smart cities,' mainly in North America. Where it is on employment, employability, organisational management and training for industry, the development of human and social capital for economic gain and competitive edge tends to predominate. Most regions concentrate on this aspect. Where the motivation is based on the use of valuable resources, it will concentrate on volunteering, active citizenship and the building of social capital. Such an approach is not well developed in many regions and the optimum balance between economic, community and personal growth is poorly understood. Where the goal is the competent use of organisational potential a learning region will mobilise all its stakeholder institutions as partners in the service of the region as a whole. Here, very little is understood or implemented. This article argues that all of these approaches and others in the fields of environment, personal and cultural growth, innovation, diversity and communication are a holistic part and parcel of learning region development. Its meaning and its characteristics will become clear as it charts the development of ideas about learning regions, particularly those that have occurred during the past 20 years. It suggests the existence of a paradigm shift at work , the age of education and training, which has served us well in the late 20th century in satisfying the needs of a growing, upwardly mobile proportion of the population, has now given way to the era of lifelong learning, in which the means, the tools and techniques are employed to target and motivate everyone in a city, town or region. Those regions that achieve this nirvana will be the winners in the apparent paradox that intelligent local action leads to success in a globalised world, a version of the concept of ,glocalisation' coined by Robertson (1995). [source] Diagnostic evaluation of conceptual rainfall,runoff models using temporal clusteringHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 20 2010N. J. de Vos Abstract Given the structural shortcomings of conceptual rainfall,runoff models and the common use of time-invariant model parameters, these parameters can be expected to represent broader aspects of the rainfall,runoff relationship than merely the static catchment characteristics that they are commonly supposed to quantify. In this article, we relax the common assumption of time-invariance of parameters, and instead seek signature information about the dynamics of model behaviour and performance. We do this by using a temporal clustering approach to identify periods of hydrological similarity, allowing the model parameters to vary over the clusters found in this manner, and calibrating these parameters simultaneously. The diagnostic information inferred from these calibration results, based on the patterns in the parameter sets of the various clusters, is used to enhance the model structure. This approach shows how diagnostic model evaluation can be used to combine information from the data and the functioning of the hydrological model in a useful manner. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The design of improved smoothing operators for finite volume flow solvers on unstructured meshesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 8 2001Benjamin de Foy Abstract Spatial operators used in unstructured finite volume flow solvers are analysed for accuracy using Taylor series expansion and Fourier analysis. While approaching second-order accuracy on very regular grids, operators in common use are shown to have errors resulting in accuracy of only first-, zeroth- or even negative-order on three-dimensional tetrahedral meshes. A technique using least-squares optimization is developed to design improved operators on arbitrary meshes. This is applied to the fourth-order edge sum smoothing operator. The improved numerical dissipation leads to a much more accurate prediction of the Strouhal number for two-dimensional flow around a cylinder and a reduction of a factor of three in the loss coefficient for inviscid flow over a three-dimensional hump. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Energy conservation conflicts in district heating systemsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Björn Rolfsman Abstract In Sweden, district heating of buildings is in common use. This paper deals with the district heating tariff. Many economists argue that the tariff should be based on short-range marginal costs, but in practice this never occurs. Traditionally instead, the prices are set so they are lower than the alternatives. A case study is presented dealing with a residential building in Navestad, Norrköping. For this building, the life-cycle cost with extra wall insulation and the introduction of a heat pump has been calculated. A comparison of two perspectives, the present tariff and a tariff-based short-range marginal cost, is done. It is shown that there is a conflict between the two perspectives. For the tariff based on short-range marginal cost, neither extra insulation nor an introduction of a heat pump is profitable. However, with the present tariff, a bivalent system with a heat pump and district heating is profitable. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A critical analysis of current in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assaysINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Carolyn A. Staton Summary The study of angiogenesis has grown exponentially over the past 40 years with the recognition that angiogenesis is essential for numerous pathologies and, more recently, with the advent of successful drugs to inhibit angiogenesis in tumours. The main problem with angiogenesis research remains the choice of appropriate assays to evaluate the efficacy of potential new drugs and to identify potential targets within the angiogenic process. This selection is made more complex by the recognition that heterogeneity occurs, not only within the endothelial cells themselves, but also within the specific microenvironment to be studied. Thus, it is essential to choose the assay conditions and cell types that most closely resemble the angiogenic disease being studied. This is especially important when aiming to translate data from in vitro to in vivo and from preclinical to the clinic. Here we critically review and highlight recent advances in the principle assays in common use including those for endothelial cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and co-culture with fibroblasts and mural cells in vitro, vessel outgrowth from organ cultures and in vivo assays such as chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), zebrafish, sponge implantation, corneal, dorsal air sac, chamber and tumour angiogenesis models. Finally, we briefly discuss the direction likely to be taken in future studies, which include the use of increasingly sophisticated imaging analysis systems for data acquisition. [source] Use of the first rib for adult age estimation: a test of one methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 5 2005H. Kurki Abstract The human first rib is relatively easy to identify and is often preserved, in comparison with elements such as the fourth rib and pubic symphysis. Therefore it is potentially a valuable skeletal element for estimating age in forensic and archaeological contexts. A method of adult age estimation using the first rib (Kunos et al., 1999) is tested on a sample of known age skeletons from the J.C.B. Grant Collection (n,=,29, mean age,=,55.7 years). The high correlation coefficient (r,=,0.69) and moderate coefficient of determination (r2,=,0.47) demonstrate agreement between the known and estimated ages, suggesting that the first rib demonstates morphological changes with age. The inaccuracy and bias are high (all ages inaccuracy,=,10.4 years, bias,=,4.7 years) but comparable to several other age estimation methods in common use. Although the results are not as good for younger age categories (<,50 years: inaccuracy and bias rank ninth of nine age estimation methods), the inaccuracy and bias for the older age categories are relatively low (60,+ years inaccuracy,=,8.9 years, ranks third out of nine; bias,=,,,5.8 years, ranks first out of nine) compared with other age estimation methods. The first rib method is reasonably precise (93% of individuals fall within the limits of agreement of the mean difference between two trials). The first rib method is therefore a useful addition to the methods available for biological profile reconstructions from skeletal remains, especially if it is suspected that the remains represent an older individual. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of equatorial orientation distributionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2006W. Ruland Two conflicting methods reported in the literature [Kratky (1933). Kolloid Z.64, 213,222; Leadbetter & Norris (1979). Mol. Phys.38, 669,686] for the relationship between axial orientation distributions and equatorial intensity profiles are analyzed. Both methods are in common use by their respective proponents for the evaluation of scattering patterns with preferred orientation under rotational symmetry. The correctness of these methods is assessed, and the consequences of the findings are discussed. [source] The effect of the extent of the study region on GIS models of species geographic distributions and estimates of niche evolution: preliminary tests with montane rodents (genus Nephelomys) in VenezuelaJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2010Robert P. Anderson Abstract Aim, Various techniques model a species' niche and potential distribution by comparing the environmental conditions of occurrence localities with those of the overall study region (via a background or pseudoabsence sample). Here, we examine how changes in the extent of the study region (ignored or under-appreciated in most studies) affect models of two rodents, Nephelomys caracolus and Nephelomys meridensis. Location, North-central South America. Methods, We used Maxent to model the species' potential distributions via two methods of defining the study region. In Method 1 (typical of most studies to date), we calibrated the model in a large study region that included the ranges of both species. In Method 2, we calibrated the model using a smaller study region surrounding the localities of the focal species, and then applied it to the larger region. Because the study region of Method 1 is likely to include areas of suitable conditions that are unoccupied because of dispersal limitations and/or biotic interactions, this approach is prone to overfitting to conditions found near the occupied localities. In contrast, Method 2 should avoid such problems but may require further assumptions (,clamping' in Maxent) to make predictions for areas with environmental conditions beyond those found in the smaller study region. For each method, we calculated several measures of geographic interpredictivity between predictions for the species (cross-species AUC, cross-species omission rate, and proportional geographic overlap). Results, Compared with Method 1, Method 2 revealed a larger predicted area for each species, less concentrated around known localities (especially for N. caracolus). It also led to higher cross-species AUC values, lower cross-species omission rates and higher proportions of geographic overlap. Clamping was minimal and occurred primarily in regions unlikely to be suitable. Main conclusions, Method 2 led to more realistic predictions and higher estimates of niche conservatism. Conclusions reached by many studies depend on the selection of an appropriate study region. Although detailed information regarding dispersal limitations and/or biotic interactions will typically be difficult to obtain, consideration of coarse distributional patterns, topography and vegetational zones often should permit delimitation of a much more reasonable study region than the extremely large ones currently in common use. [source] Rethinking NIMBYism: The role of place attachment and place identity in explaining place-protective actionJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Patrick Devine-Wright Abstract The ,NIMBY' (Not In My Back Yard) concept is commonly used to explain public opposition to new developments near homes and communities, particularly arising from energy technologies such as wind farms or electricity pylons. Despite its common use, the concept has been extensively critiqued by social scientists as a useful concept for research and practice. Given European policy goals to increase sustainable energy supply by 2020, deepening understanding of local opposition is of both conceptual and practical importance. This paper reviews NIMBY literature and proposes an alternative framework to explain local opposition, drawing upon social and environmental psychological theory on place. Local opposition is conceived as a form of place-protective action, which arises when new developments disrupt pre-existing emotional attachments and threaten place-related identity processes. Adopting a social constructivist perspective and drawing on social representation theory, a framework of place change is proposed encompassing stages of becoming aware, interpreting, evaluating, coping and acting, with each stage conceived at multiple levels of analysis, from intrapersonal to socio-cultural. Directions for future research and potential implications of the place-based approach for public engagement by energy policy-makers and practitioners are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Humoral immunity in natural infection by tick-borne encephalitis virusJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2009Giulietta Venturi Abstract Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is one of the most important flaviviruses associated with neurological disease in Europe. Cross-reactive antibodies elicited by different flaviviruses can make difficult the interpretation of ELISA and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests for the diagnosis of TBE. Neutralization tests, which are more specific, are not in common use because they are difficult to perform and standardize. A plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), optimized previously in vaccinated children, was evaluated in sera from acute cases of TBE, collected for diagnostic purposes, and from healthy human population and wild ruminants, collected for serosurvey purposes. The PRNT results were compared with the results of ELISA and HI tests. In acute TBE disease, most sera were positive for IgM antibodies by ELISA and with high HI antibody titers; neutralizing antibodies were detected in 71.4% of patients, at a very low titer (1:10 NT50) in almost all cases. Seroprevalences of 8% and 6.5% for anti-TBE ELISA antibodies were found in healthy subjects and wild ruminants, respectively. Among anti-TBE positive healthy subjects, a very low 1:10 NT50 titer was detected in 17.4% of cases, while NT80 titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:80 were detected in 65.2% of cases. Among wild ruminants, 90.9% of ELISA and HI positive samples showed a positive, ,1:10 NT80 titer. In conclusion, neutralization assays can be useful for the diagnosis and serosurveys of TBE. J. Med. Virol. 81:665,671, 2009 © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The probability of identification: applying ideas from forensic statistics to disclosure risk assessmentJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 1 2007C. J. Skinner Summary., The paper establishes a correspondence between statistical disclosure control and forensic statistics regarding their common use of the concept of ,probability of identification'. The paper then seeks to investigate what lessons for disclosure control can be learnt from the forensic identification literature. The main lesson that is considered is that disclosure risk assessment cannot, in general, ignore the search method that is employed by an intruder seeking to achieve disclosure. The effects of using several search methods are considered. Through consideration of the plausibility of assumptions and ,worst case' approaches, the paper suggests how the impact of search method can be handled. The paper focuses on foundations of disclosure risk assessment, providing some justification for some modelling assumptions underlying some existing record level measures of disclosure risk. The paper illustrates the effects of using various search methods in a numerical example based on microdata from a sample from the 2001 UK census. [source] On the Evaluation of the Information Matrix for Multiplicative Seasonal Time-Series ModelsJOURNAL OF TIME SERIES ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2006E. J. Godolphin Abstract., This paper gives a procedure for evaluating the Fisher information matrix for a general multiplicative seasonal autoregressive moving average time-series model. The method is based on the well-known integral specification of Whittle [Ark. Mat. Fys. Astr. (1953) vol. 2. pp. 423,434] and leads to a system of linear equations, which is independent of the seasonal period and has a closed solution. It is shown to be much simpler, in general, than the method of Klein and Mélard [Journal of Time Series Analysis (1990) vol. 11, pp. 231,237], which depends on the seasonal period. It is also shown that the nonseasonal method of McLeod [Biometrika (1984) vol. 71, pp. 207,211] has the same basic features as that of Klein and Mélard. Explicit solutions are obtained for the simpler nonseasonal and seasonal models in common use, a feature which has not been attempted with the Klein,Mélard or the McLeod approaches. Several illustrations of these results are discussed in detail. [source] The Perception of Time: Basic Research and Some Potential Links to the Study of LanguageLANGUAGE LEARNING, Issue 2008J. H. Wearden The article first discusses some recent work in time perception,in particular the distinction among prospective timing, retrospective timing, and passage of time judgments. The history and application of an "internal clock" model as an explanation of prospective timing performance is reviewed and contrasted with the different mechanisms needed for the other two types of time judgments. The article then discusses two areas suggesting relations between time perception research and language. The first is the idea that disturbances in the perception of duration, usually of very brief auditory stimuli, are associated with some language disorders. Another is the common use of metaphors for time, and the article relates these to the issue of whether a genuine "time sense" exists. [source] The qualitative research interviewMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2006Barbara DiCicco-Bloom Background, Interviews are among the most familiar strategies for collecting qualitative data. The different qualitative interviewing strategies in common use emerged from diverse disciplinary perspectives resulting in a wide variation among interviewing approaches. Unlike the highly structured survey interviews and questionnaires used in epidemiology and most health services research, we examine less structured interview strategies in which the person interviewed is more a participant in meaning making than a conduit from which information is retrieved. Purpose, In this article we briefly review the more common qualitative interview methods and then focus on the widely used individual face-to-face in-depth interview, which seeks to foster learning about individual experiences and perspectives on a given set of issues. We discuss methods for conducting in-depth interviews and consider relevant ethical issues with particular regard to the rights and protection of the participants. [source] Marathon of eponyms: 12 Ludwig anginaORAL DISEASES, Issue 5 2010C Scully Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 496,497 The use of eponyms has long been contentious, but many remain in common use, as discussed elsewhere (Editorial: Oral Diseases. 2009: 15; 185). The use of eponyms in diseases of the head and neck is found mainly in specialties dealing with medically compromised individuals (paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery) and particularly by hospital-centred practitioners. This series has selected some of the more recognised relevant eponymous conditions and presents them alphabetically. The information is based largely on data available from MEDLINE and a number of internet websites as noted below: the authors would welcome any corrections. This document summarises data about Ludwig angina. [source] Marathon of eponyms: 2 Bell palsy (idiopathic facial palsy)ORAL DISEASES, Issue 4 2009C Scully The use of eponyms has long been contentious, but many remain in common use, as discussed elsewhere (Editorial: Oral Diseases. 2009: 15; 185,186). The use of eponyms in diseases of the head and neck is found mainly in specialties dealing with medically compromised individuals (paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery) and particularly by hospital-centred practitioners. This series has selected some of the more recognised relevant eponymous conditions and presents them alphabetically. The information is based largely on data available from MEDLINE and a number of internet websites as noted below: the authors would welcome any corrections. This document summarises data about Bell paralysis. [source] Marathon of Eponyms: 1 Albers-Schönberg disease (osteopetrosis)ORAL DISEASES, Issue 3 2009C Scully Abstract: The use of eponyms has long been contentious, but many remain in common use, as discussed elsewhere (Editorial: Oral Diseases. 2009 in press). The use of eponyms in diseases of the head and neck is mainly in specialities dealing with medically compromised individuals (paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial medicine, oral and maxillofacial pathology, oral and maxillofacial radiology and oral and maxillofacial surgery) and particularly by hospital-centred practitioners. This series has selected some of the more recognised relevant eponymous conditions and presents them alphabetically. The information is based largely on data available from MEDLINE and a number of internet websites as noted below: the authors would welcome any corrections. This paper summarises data about Albers-Schönberg disease. [source] Clinical Predictors of Defibrillation Thresholds with an Active Pectoral Pulse Generator Lead SystemPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2002DENICE M. HODGSON HODGSON, D.M., et al.: Clinical Predictors of Defibrillation Thresholds with an Active Pectoral Pulse Generator Lead System. Active pectoral pulse generators are used routinely for initial ICD placement because they reduce DFTs and simplify the implantation procedure. Despite the common use of these systems, little is known regarding the clinical predictors of defibrillation efficacy with active pulse generator lead configurations. Such predictors would be helpful to identify patients likely to require higher output devices or more complicated implantations. This was a prospective evaluation of DFT using a uniform testing protocol in 102 consecutive patients with an active pectoral can and dual coil transvenous lead. For each patient, the DFT was measured with a step-down protocol. In addition, 34 parameters were assessed including standard clinical echocardiographic and radiographic measures. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of the DFT. The mean DFT was 9.3 ± 4.6 J and 93% (95/102) of patients had a DFT , 15 J. The QRS duration, interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular mass, and mass index were significant but weak (R < 0.3) univariate predictors of DFT. The left ventricular mass was the only independent predictor by multivariate analysis, but this parameter accounted for < 5% of the variability of DFT measured (adjusted R2= 0.047, P = 0.017). The authors concluded that an acceptable DFT (< 15 J) is observed in > 90% of patients with this dual coil and active pectoral can lead system. Clinical factors are of limited use for predicting DFTs and identifying those patients who will have high thresholds. [source] Clonidine disposition in children: a population analysisPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 6 2007AL Potts Background:, There are few data describing clonidine population pharmacokinetics in children (0,15 years) despite common use. Current paediatric data, described in terms of elimination half-life or Cmax and Tmax, poorly explain variability in drug responses among individuals representative of those in whom the drug will be used clinically. Methods:, Published data from four studies investigating clonidine PK after intravenous, rectal and epidural administration (n = 42) were combined with an open-label study undertaken to examine the pharmacokinetics of IV clonidine 1,2 ,g·kg,1 bolus in children after cardiac surgery (n = 30, EC approval granted). A population pharmacokinetic analysis of clonidine time-concentration profiles (380 observations) was undertaken using nonlinear mixed effects modelling. Estimates were standardised to a 70 kg adult using allometric size models. Results:, Children had a mean age of four (SD 3.6 years, range 1 week,14 years) year and weight 17.8 (SD 12.6, range 2.8,60 kg). A two compartment disposition model with first order elimination was superior to a one compartment model. Population parameter estimates (between subject variability) were clearance (CL) 14 (CV 28.3%) 1 h,1·70 kg,1, central volume of distribution (V1) 56.7 (67.5%) l·70 kg,1, inter-compartment clearance (Q) 143 (19.1%) l h,1 70 kg,1 and peripheral volume of distribution (V2) 123 (72.8%) l.70kg,1. Clearance at birth was 4.7 l·h,1·70kg,1 and matured with a half-time of 25.5 weeks to reach 85% adult rate by 1 year of age. The volumes of distribution, but not clearance, were increased after cardiac surgery (V1 180%, V2 117%). There was a lag time of 2.6 (CV 64%) min before absorption began in the rectum. The absorption half-life from the epidural space was slower than that from the rectum 1.04 (CV31%) h vs 0.28 (CV24%) h. The relative bioavailability of epidural and rectal clonidine was unity (F = 1). Conclusions:, Clearance in neonates is approximately one third that described in adults, consistent with immature clearance pathways. Maintenance dosing, which is a function of clearance, should be reduced in neonates and infants when using a target concentration approach. [source] The reliability of endtidal CO2 in spontaneously breathing children during anaesthesia with Laryngeal Mask AirwayTM, low flow, sevoflurane and caudal epiduralPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 5 2002Per AASHEIM MD Background: Noninvasive devices for monitoring endtidal CO2 (PECO2) are in common use in paediatric anaesthesia. Questions have been raised concerning the reliability of these devices in spontaneous breathing children during surgery. Our anaesthetic technique for elective infraumbilical surgery consists of spontaneous breathing through a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMATM), low fresh gas flow, sevoflurane and a caudal epidural. We wanted to compare PECO2 and arterial CO2 (PaCO2) during surgery. Methods: Twenty children, aged 1,6 years, scheduled for infraumbilical surgery, were studied and one arterial sample was taken 45 min after induction of anaesthesia. PECO2, inspiratory PCO2, oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial blood pressure and expiratory sevoflurane concentration were measured every 5 min. The respiratory and circulatory parameters were stable during surgery. Results: The mean PaCO2 , PECO2 difference was 0.15 (0.16) kPa [1.1 (1.2 mmHg)]. Conclusions: PECO2 is a good indicator of PaCO2 in our anaesthetic setting. [source] Does inhaling menthol affect nasal patency or cough?,PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2008MRCPCH, Priti Kenia MD (Paediatrics) Abstract Objective There is widespread use of menthol in over-the-counter medications, despite scant information on any beneficial effects. Our aim was to assess the effect of menthol on nasal air flow, perception of nasal patency and cough challenge testing. Materials and Methods Subjects comprised 42 healthy children aged 10 and 11 in a school setting. We used a single-blind pseudo-randomized cross-over trial to compare the effect of an inhalation of either menthol or placebo(eucalyptus oil). Baseline and post-intervention measurements were made on each of 2 consecutive days. Main outcome measures were (i) nasal expiratory and inspiratory flows and volumes, measured by spirometer, (ii) perception of nasal patency, assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), and (iii) the number of coughs in response to nebulized citric acid. Results There was no effect of menthol on any of the spirometric measurements. Following menthol, there was a significant increase in the perception of nasal patency (mean difference in log VAS (menthol-placebo),=,,0.207, 95%CI ,0.329, ,0.085). The cough count after menthol inhalation was reduced when compared to baseline but the change was not different from that after placebo (mean difference in cough count (menthol-placebo),=,,1.71, 95%CI ,4.11, 0.69). Conclusion Menthol has no effect on objective measures of flow but significantly increases the perception of nasal patency. It may not be possible to extrapolate these findings to younger children and those with rhinitis. Extending the study of menthol to these groups, including investigations of the efficacy and safety profiles, will provide further valuable evidence for its common use. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:532,537. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Analgesic use and the risk for progression of chronic kidney disease,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 7 2010Hsin-Wei Kuo Abstract Purpose The chronic effect of various analgesics on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is inconclusive. There is also lack of information on the renal safety of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. This study aimed to clarify the renal risk of analgesic use in CKD patients. Methods A cohort study using a nationally representative database randomly sampled from National Health Insurance (NHI) enrollees was performed. The study population included a total of 19,163 newly diagnosed CKD patients. Clinical conditions were defined by diagnostic codes and exposure information on analgesics was derived from service claims. Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the association between analgesic use and the risk of progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Results CKD patients using acetaminophen, aspirin, and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had an increased risk for ESRD with multivariable-adjusted HRs (95%CIs) of 2.92 (2.47,3.45), 1.96 (1.62,2.36), and 1.56 (1.32,1.85), respectively. The trends toward higher risk with increasing exposure dose were significant for all classes of analgesics (all P for trend,<,0.001). Among COX-2 inhibitors, only rofecoxib, but not celecoxib, shows a significant risk association with ESRD (HR,=,1.98; 95%CI, 1.15,3.40). Conclusions Our data indicated exacerbating effects of acetaminophen, aspirin, and non-selective NSAIDs on CKD in a dose-dependent manner. For COX-2 inhibitors, only rofecoxib showed an increased risk for ESRD. Although the possibility of residual confounding cannot be completely ruled out, given the common use of analgesics, the possible relation suggested by this study warrants further investigation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||