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Communication
Kinds of Communication Terms modified by Communication Selected AbstractsHABERMAS ON COMMUNICATION IN TEACHINGEDUCATIONAL THEORY, Issue 2 2001Robert D. Heslep First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Response to Dr Stephen Cooper's ,On the use of metaphor to understand, explain, or rationalize redundant genes in yeast'FEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 3 2008Xuewen Pan Abstract Earlier use of a metaphor in explaining genetic redundancy in a news article has triggered a commentary and a competing metaphor by Dr Stephen Cooper, who went on to conclude that genetic redundancies are relatively unimportant for microorganisms. We argue here that the new metaphor is flawed and that genetic redundancies are integral to buffering all organisms against environmental and genetic damage. [source] BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Rapid and sequential desensitization to both aspirin and clopidogrelINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2010S. L. Fernando Abstract Hypersensitivity reactions to aspirin and clopidogrel are 2.5% and 1%, respectively. Dual anti-platelet therapy with these drugs is effective in preventing thrombosis following deployment of stents for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular syndromes. Desensitization therapy with both aspirin and clopidogrel may be required for patients undergoing stent implantation that have experienced hypersensitivity to these agents. We report the case of a 58-year-old woman who developed urticaria and angioedema following aspirin therapy for ischaemic cerebrovascular disease. She developed an identical reaction after clopidogrel was subsequently administered. Investigations revealed the presence of an internal carotid artery aneurysm that required deployment of a stent. Rapid desensitization to aspirin over 5.5 h followed 3 days later by rapid desensitization to clopidogrel over 2.5 h was successfully performed prior to stenting. After 4 months she has tolerated this dual anti-platelet therapy without any adverse reaction. Rapid and sequential desensitization to both aspirin and clopidogrel can be successfully performed for patients who require stent deployment but have hypersensitivity to both these anti-platelet agents. [source] BRIEF COMMUNICATION: Histology of the pouch epithelium and the mammary glands during chemically induced oestrus in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, Issue 1 2005Julie M. Old Abstract Changes in the epithelium of the maternal pouch and the mammary gland of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were examined after animals were treated to induce ovulation with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and oestradiol. The mammary glands were similar in appearance to those described in eutherian mammals and in previous studies on other marsupials. Exposure of possums to these compounds, particularly PSMG, appeared to result in changes in the mammary glands that could be associated with milk/secretion production. In contrast, the pouch epithelium had a similar histological appearance to that of epithelium from other parts of the body regardless of whether the animal was exposed to stimulants. These preliminary observations are discussed in the context of the purported role of the pouch epithelium and the mammary gland in production of secretions at oestrus and provision of immunological protection to the neonatal marsupial. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Do farmers reduce genetic diversity when they domesticate tropical trees?MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2005A case study from Amazonia Abstract Agroforestry ecosystems may be an important resource for conservation and sustainable use of tropical trees, but little is known of the genetic diversity they contain. Inga edulis, a widespread indigenous fruit tree in South America, is used as a model to assess the maintenance of genetic diversity in five planted vs. five natural stands in the Peruvian Amazon. Analysis of five SSR (simple sequence repeat) loci indicated lower allelic variation in planted stands [mean corrected allelic richness 31.3 (planted) and 39.3 (natural), P = 0.009]. Concerns regarding genetic erosion in planted Amazonian tree stands appear valid, although allelic variation on-farm is still relatively high. [source] ACTION TRAINING FOR CHARISMATIC LEADERSHIP: TWO EVALUATIONS OF STUDIES OF A COMMERCIAL TRAINING MODULE ON INSPIRATIONAL COMMUNICATION OF A VISIONPERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2003MICHAEL FRESE An action training program that teaches inspirational communication of a vision as part of a training of charismatic leadership for managers is presented (1˝ days) and evaluated in 2 studies (N= 25 and N= 22). We used the research design "nonequivalent dependent variable design" (Cook & Campbell, 1979, p, 118) or "internal referencing strategy" (Haccoun & Hamtieux, 1994), which compared the trained behaviors (charismatic inspirational communication) with behaviors that were not trained (public speech) to control for testing and Hawthorne effects. The training had specific positive effects on those behaviors that were trained but not on those variables that were not trained. Good to excellent effect sizes appeared as a result of the training. We suggest that this research design is useful for evaluation of training effects within the constraints of commercial settings and, moreover, we argue that this design is in many ways superior to a nonequivalent nontraining control group design because it controls for testing effects and for effects that otherwise would need a pseudo-training control group. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Surface passivation by rehydrogenation of silicon-nitride-coated silicon wafersPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005Michelle McCann Abstract A silicon wafer with a silicon nitride layer deposited by low pressure chemical vapour deposition may be subjected to high-temperature treatments without adversely affecting the electronic properties of the silicon on the condition that a thin oxide is present under the nitride. After high-temperature treatments there is an apparent degradation in effective lifetime, probably due to a loss of hydrogen from the silicon/oxide interface. Effective lifetimes can be completely recovered by thermal treatment in a hydrogen-containing ambient. This work has useful applications for solar cells as many of the properties of these nitrides can be used to advantage. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Thin-film free-standing monocrystalline si solar cells with heterojunction emitterPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005C. S. Solanki Abstract We propose a novel approach to thin-film silicon solar cells, namely the freestanding monocrystalline silicon layer transfer process with heterojunction emitter (FMS-HJ). High crystallographic quality mono-Si films were deposited on freestanding porous silicon (PS) films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). These free-standing mono-Si (FMS) films were processed into solar cells by creating a-a-Si/c-Si heterojunction. In our preliminary experiments a thin-film FMS-HJ solar cell with 9.6% efficiency was realized in a 20-,,m-thin active layer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: ACCELERATED PUBLICATION: Diode characteristics in state-of-the-art ZnO/CdS/Cu(In1,xGax)Se2 solar cells,PROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 3 2005Miguel A. Contreras Abstract We report a new state of the art in thin-film polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 -based solar cells with the attainment of energy conversion efficiencies of 19·5%. An analysis of the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells in terms of some absorber properties and other derived diode parameters is presented. The analysis reveals that the highest-performance cells can be associated with absorber bandgap values of ,1·14,eV, resulting in devices with the lowest values of diode saturation current density (,3×10,8,mA/cm2) and diode quality factors in the range 1·30,<,A,<,1·35. The data presented also support arguments of a reduced space charge region recombination as the reason for the improvement in the performance of such devices. In addition, a discussion is presented regarding the dependence of performance on energy bandgap, with an emphasis on wide-bandgap Cu(In,Ga)Se2 materials and views toward improving efficiency to >,1;20% in thin-film polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells. Published in 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] KIERKEGAARD, INDIRECT COMMUNICATION, AND AMBIGUITYTHE HEYTHROP JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009JAMIE TURNBULL Notoriously, Kierkegaard claims his project to be one of indirect communication. This paper considers the idea that Kierkegaard's distinction between direct and indirect communication is to be accounted for in terms of ambiguity. I begin by outlining the different claims Kierkegaard makes about his method, before examining the textual evidence for attributing such a distinction to him. I then turn to the work of Edward Mooney, who claims that the distinction between direct and indirect communication is to be drawn in just this way. I argue that Mooney misinterprets the type of ambiguity Kierkegaard holds to be involved in indirect communication, and consequently ends up with an unsatisfactory account of Kierkegaard's method. Finally I seek to cast doubt on the very idea that ambiguity might do justice to the claims Kierkegaard makes about his project, and suggest that what is required to do so is a theological interpretation of his work. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Apolipoprotein E Gene Polymorphisms: A Case,Control Study from North IndiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Meenal Agarwal Citation Agarwal M, Parveen F, Faridi RM, Phadke SR, Das V, Agrawal S. Recurrent pregnancy loss and apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms: a case,control study from North India. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 172,178 Problem, The role of apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms in the etiology of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is not clearly understood. We evaluated this polymorphism in unexplained pregnancy losses among North Indian women. Method of study, In a retrospective case,control study, 200 well-characterized RPL cases were examined for their APO-E genotypes based on restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR-amplified fragments including amino acid positions 112 and 158. The observed genotypes were compared with those obtained from an equal number of ethnically matched negative controls. Results, We found similar APO-E genotypes and E2, E3, and E4 allele frequency distribution among RPL patients and controls. The allele frequencies obtained in patients and controls respectively were as follows: E2 = 7.5% and 9.0% (P = 0.52; OR = 0.81; 95%CI = 0.49,1.35), E3 = 89.7% and 90% (P = 1.00; OR = 0.97; 95%CI = 0.61,1.54), and E4 = 2.8% and 1% (P = 0.12; OR = 2.79; 95%CI = 0.88,8.86). Conclusions, Our data did not support the association of APO-E gene polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss as reported by some of the previous studies. We endorse adequate characterization of RPL cases, inclusion of appropriate negative controls, and adequate sample size prior to addressing such studies. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural Killer Cells and Improvement of Pregnancy Outcome in IVF/ICSI Failure After Additional IVIG-TreatmentAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Lothar Heilmann Citation Heilmann L, Schorsch M, Hahn T. CD3, CD56+ CD16+ Natural killer cells and improvement of pregnancy outcome in IVF/ICSI failure after additional IVIG-treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 263,265 Problem, The purpose of this retrospective, observational study was to investigate whether additional treatment with intravenous immunglobulin (IVIG) increased the rate of successful pregnancies after repeated implantation failure (RIF). The retrospective data were compared with data of patients without IVIG-therapy from the meta-analysis of Clark et al. Method of study, A total of 188 women with 226 treatment cycles between 2007 and 2009 were evaluated for IVIG therapy. The percentage of NK cells was measured two times before a new embryo transfer (only women with NK cell percentages >12% were included) and after embryo transfer at a positive pregnancy test. Results, In comparison with the meta-analysis of Clark et al., we observed a pregnancy rate of 50.5%, an implantation rate of 21% and a miscarriage rate of 16.8%. In 42%/IVIG- patient or 34.9%/embryo transfer, we observed a live born baby. The live born rate per embryo was 16.6%. In accordance with the study of Kwak et al., we indicate a decrease in the NK cells in patients with improved pregnancy outcome. Conclusion, In a subgroup of RIF-patients with high level of CD56+ CD16+ NK-cells the additional application of IVIG leads to a favourable pregnancy outcome. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Circulating and Decidual Th17 Cell Levels in Healthy PregnancyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Akitoshi Nakashima Citation Nakashima A, Ito M, Yoneda S, Shiozaki A, Hidaka T, Saito S. Circulating and decidual Th17 cell levels in healthy pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 104,109 Problem, The Th1/Th2 paradigm has recently been reconstituted to include a third population, Th17 cells. It has been reported that Th2 type immunity is predominantly present in normal pregnancy. However, the level of Th17 cells during pregnancy is still unclear. We investigated the level of peripheral Th17 cells in healthy pregnancy subjects. Method of study, To evaluate the levels of Th17 cells, we investigated the proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells that produced IL-17 in the first, second, and third trimester pregnancy subjects using flow cytometry. We further studied the proportion of decidual lymphocytes that produced IL-17 in early pregnant subjects. Results, Most of the IL-17-producing cells were CD4+ T cells. The number of circulating Th17 cells did not change during pregnancy. In a paired t -test of early normal pregnant subjects, the proportion of IL-17+ decidual lymphocytes was significantly higher than that of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Conclusion, Th17 levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes do not change during normal pregnancy. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: STAT3 Polymorphisms Linked with Idiopathic Recurrent MiscarriagesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Ramzi R. Finan Problem, We investigated the association of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 gene variants with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM). Method of Study, A case,control study involving 189 RM patients and 244 control women was carried out. STAT3 (rs1053004 and rs1023023) genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination/real-time PCR method. Results,STAT3 rs1053004 C allele [OR (95% CI) = 1.60 (1.22,2.10)] and C/C genotype [OR (95% CI) = 3.42 (1.70,6.92)] were positively associated with RM. Two-locus (rs1053004/rs1053023) haplotype analysis revealed increased frequency of CG and CA haplotypes in RM patients, of which only CA haplotype (Pc = 0.020) remained positively associated with RM after applying the Bonferroni correction. This was confirmed by multivariate regression analysis (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.17,2.46) after adjusting for a number of covariates. Conclusion,STAT3 rs1053004 variant is significantly associated with idiopathic RM. Replication studies on other racial groups and other STAT3 gene variants are warranted. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: History of Incidence of Autoimmune and Oncological Diseases in Identical Female TwinsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Z. Ulcova-Gallova Problem, The aim of study was to investigate identical female twins born in 1977 suffered from autoimmune diseases (twin A , Sjogren's syndrome, and twin B , systemic lupus erythematosus). Method of study, It was refer retrospective analysis of both sisters suffered beside autoimmune alterations (Sjogren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus) also from gynecological diseases (twin A , praecancerosis of cervix uteri, twin B , carcinoma vaginae). Results, Relationships between disease activities and severities in the female twins were similar and the treatments were directed according to clinical symptoms and laboratory results. Dramatic change, unfortunately, occurred with twin B. The reason may be the association between SLE activity (lupus nephritis), hematological complication (leukopenia) and oncological vaginal recidivation. Conclusion, Association between autoimmune disease and gynecological cancer (or praecancerosis) is major risk than without immunology deviation. Twin A is periodically gynecologically observed. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Increased Expression of Glutathione by Estradiol, Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, and Interleukin 1-Beta in Endometrial Stromal CellsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Sa Ra Lee Problem, The intracellular antioxidant system, based on glutathione (GSH), plays a key role in endometrial detoxification reactions and has been proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis endometriosis. This study was designed to evaluate whether estradiol (E2) and proinflammatory cytokines have any effects on expression of glutathione in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Method of study, Glutathione levels were measured utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography following in vitro culture and treatment of ESCs with estradiol, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1,). Results, The GSH level in E2 (10,8 m) treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group at 48 h (P < 0.05). In vitro treatment of ESCs with TNF-, 10 ng/mL as well as E2 (10,8 m) plus TNF-, 10 ng/mL for 48 hr also led to a significant increase in GSH level (P < 0.05; P < 0.05, respectively). Both IL-1, 10 ng/mL and E2 (10,8 m) plus IL-1, 10 ng/mL for 48 hr increased GSH level significantly (P < 0.05; P < 0.05, respectively) as well. Conclusions, These findings might suggest that increased production of estradiol and proinflammatory cytokines in the peritoneal cavity possibly leads to the establishment of endometriosis through increased level of GSH. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Gender Ratio Distortion in Abortuses and Live Births From Patients with Recurrent Spontaneous AbortionAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Takashi Kano Problem, Gender ratio of live birth in humans is approximately 1.05 and males are born a slightly more, while gender ratio of fertilization should be 1.00, suggesting that female fetus might be more sensitive to abortion than male fetus during pregnancy. Method of study, We examined karyotype of abortuses from patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), who had at least one live birth before or after the treatment of RSA. Results, Chromosomal abnormality was not frequent (14.6%) in the abortuses from the RSA patients. Among abortuses without chromosomal abnormality, male karyotype was rare (9.2%), and this gender ratio distortion was more prominent in RSA cases not carrying autoantibodies (3.5%) than that in the RSA cases carrying autoantibodies (26.3%), with statistical significance (P = 0.009). Conclusion, These observations suggested that the aborted fetuses from RSA of unknown etiology, i.e. no chromosomal abnormality and no autoantibody, were preferentially female. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Comparison of Serum Markers for Thrombophilia and Autoimmune Disease in Reproductive Age Women with and without False Positive Rapid Plasma Reagin TestsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Yael Swica Problem, The rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) is performed frequently in clinical practice, particularly among reproductive age women. The phenomenon of the biologic false positive RPR is well-recognized, but its clinical significance is poorly characterized. Our objective was to assess the relationship between the false positive RPR and several established clinical and biological markers for thrombophilia and/or autoimmune disease. Method of study, We conducted a clinic-based, case,control study of 41 healthy, reproductive age women with history of a biologic false positive RPR and 30 control women with a negative RPR to assess the relationship between the false positive RPR and several established clinical and biological markers for thrombophilia and/or autoimmune disease. We used t -tests and constructed frequency tables for case,control comparisons. Results, Cases were significantly more likely than controls to have lupus anticoagulant present in serum, have a positive ANA, and a positive ANA with a titer of 1:320 or greater. Cases were also more likely to be positive for anticardiolipin antibodies and have a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time, but the CIs for those point estimates included the null value. Eight participants tested positive for both lupus anticoagulant and ANA. All eight were in the case group. Conclusion, These results suggest that the RPR test might be used to identify a subset of women who warrant further testing for autoimmune and/or thromboembolic disease. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Interleukin-17 Increased Progesterone Secretion by JEG-3 Human Choriocarcinoma CellsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Sutatip Pongcharoen Problem, JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell line has previously been reported to express a receptor for interleukin (IL)-17. The involvement of IL-17 in the production of progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin by placental trophoblast has not been investigated. Method of study, The present study investigated the in vitro effect of IL-17 on progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion by JEG-3 cells. Both hormones were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results, The results showed that IL-17 significantly increased progesterone secretion at 6 (P < 0.001) and 24 (P < 0.01) hr, while this cytokine had no effect on hCG secretion. Conclusion, Interleukin-17 may regulate the function of JEG-3 cells through increased progesterone secretion. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Development of a Human Model to Study Homing Behavior of Immune Cells into Decidua and Placental Villi Under Ex Vivo ConditionsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Joana Heinzelmann Problem, Homing of lymphocytes and NK cells into the decidua and its regulation has been very controversially discussed. Therefore, we aimed to establish an in vivo simulation method for analysis of homing behavior, which might be also useful for other cells such as stem or tumor cells. Method of study, A human term placenta has been perfused with medium to elute blood and then with maternal autologous carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labeled peripheral blood lymphocytes for 3 hr and rinsed for another 2 hr. Tissue was analysed histologically for detection of labeled cells. Labeled lymphocytes and beads in perfusate have been identified and counted by flow cytometry. Results, At the moment of tissue fixation for histology, the perfusate was free of labeled cells. Labeled perfused lymphocytes have been found adhered and integrated in vessel wall structures, in decidual stroma and as colonies in individual villi. Conclusion, Placenta perfusion with a lymphocyte suspension is feasible without plugging the tube system. Time is sufficient for cells to adhere and to migrate into the stroma. Also some villi have been infiltrated which might be caused by inflammatory stimuli. The perfusion system might be useful to test substances for their capacity to influence homing of lymphocytes or other cells. [source] HUMAN NATURE, COMMUNICATION AND TRUSTANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2009Louis Putterman ABSTRACT,:,The facts that people can sometimes commit to fulfill promises even when there are no binding penalties and that kind and trusting acts are often reciprocated by trustworthy ones make possible forms of group action that might be ruled out in a hypothetical world of perfectly opportunistic individuals. I discuss some new experiments with a modified Berg,Dickhaut and McCabe (1995),trust game' that provide evidence that most subjects adhere to non-binding agreements, that many are prepared to rely on trust rather than use binding but moderately costly contracts, that the possibility of exchanging words rather than mere numerical proposals enhances trusting and trustworthiness, and that subjects are drawn to fair and efficient exchanges despite the self-interest model's prediction of outcomes more favorable to first-movers. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Effects of hormonal treatments on induced tank spawning of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010András Rónyai No abstract is available for this article. [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: The effects of inulin on growth factors and survival of the Indian white shrimp larvae and postlarvae (Fenneropenaeus indicus)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Isolation and characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Asian yellow pond turtle, Mauremys mutica (Cantor, 1842)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Yun Zhang First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Effects of salinity on growth and survival of common snook Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch, 1792) larvaeAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Nicole R Rhody First page of article [source] SHORT COMMUNICATION: Discovery and evaluation of exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC)-PCR markers for the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 9 2010Qi Li First page of article [source] ANALYZING MYOPIC APPROACHES FOR MULTI-AGENT COMMUNICATIONCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 1 2009Raphen Becker Choosing when to communicate is a fundamental problem in multi-agent systems. This problem becomes particularly challenging when communication is constrained and each agent has different partial information about the overall situation. We take a decision-theoretic approach to this problem that balances the benefits of communication against the costs. Although computing the exact value of communication is intractable, it can be estimated using a standard myopic assumption,that communication is only possible at the present time. We examine specific situations in which this assumption leads to poor performance and demonstrate an alternative approach that relaxes the assumption and improves performance. The results provide an effective method for value-driven communication policies in multi-agent systems. [source] BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS: A quantity survey of intravenous administration of metronidazole in its different forms in a tertiary teaching hospitalINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2010L. L. Lee Abstract The aim of this paper is to examine the prescribing patterns and cost of various formulations of metronidazole in a hospital setting over a 3-month period. Oral metronidazole has high bioavailability (98.9%) with peak plasma concentrations averaged at 2.3 h after dosing. Despite the high bioavailability of oral metronidazole, many patients continue to receive metronidazole intravenously when they are suitable for oral preparation. An audit of 120 consecutive patients prescribed metronidazole was conducted at the Liverpool Hospital, NSW, from March to July 2005. There were 65 men and 55 women (age 18,93). Of the 120 patients, 16 were on oral, 1 on rectal and 103 were on intravenous metronidazole. Treatment was initiated based on clinical diagnoses. Potential pathogens were subsequently identified on only 21 occasions. The use of metronidazole as an oral preparation was contraindicated in 27 patients (22.5%) who were nil-by-mouth. Of these, rectally administered metronidazole was contraindicated in only eight patients. The average course of intravenous metronidazole was 8.0 ± 9.7 days (mean ± SD). The total number of intravenous metronidazole treatment days was 824. Oral metronidazole would have been possible in 618 out of the 824 days. The estimated cost to administer each dose of oral, suppository and intravenous forms of metronidazole is $A0.11, $A1.34 and $A6.09 respectively. Thus, substantial savings could be achieved if oral metronidazole were to be administered whenever possible. The early use of oral or rectal metronidazole should be encouraged when there are no clinical contraindications. [source] ON MISREADING AND MISLEADING PATIENTS: SOME REFLECTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS, MISCOMMUNICATIONS AND COUNTERTRANSFERENCE ENACTMENTS,THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOANALYSIS, Issue 4 2001Theodore J. Jacobs This author focuses on an aspect of transference countertransference interaction that enacted covertly is often overlooked. He argues that conflicts, needs and biases that may go undetected for lengthy periods of time are not infrequently contained within the analyst's accurate and technically correct interventions and that for defensive reasons, patients often suppress, deny or rationalise their accurate perceptions of these countertransference elements and fail to confront their analysts with them. The mistakes, miscommunications and misperceptions that arise as a consequence of the unconscious collusions that develop between patient and analyst can have a profound effect on the analytic work. Several clinical examples are presented to illustrate the operation of such covert communications in analysis and their impact on the treatment process. [source] Communication and conflict in young Mexican students: Messages and attitudesCONFLICT RESOLUTION QUARTERLY, Issue 1 2006Francisco A. Laca This study involved a population of young Mexican students (N = 526, ages nine to seventeen). It used U.S. instruments to evaluate these students' attitudes about conflict, communication skills, conflict styles, and conflict management message styles in a Hispanic school environment in order to explore the degree of applicability of these instruments to young Spanish-speaking students and to analyze the relations between these constructs. A model in which attitudes about conflict and communication skills predict the conflict management messages was shown to be signi.cant after the corresponding structural analysis. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||