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Comparative Performance (comparative + performance)
Selected AbstractsComparative performance of juvenile red abalone, Haliotis rufescens, reared in laboratory with fresh kelp and balanced dietsAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2009Z. GARCIA-ESQUIVEL Abstract Juvenile Haliotis rufescens were reared in the laboratory in order to investigate the extent to which fresh kelp and formulated feeds with 250 g kg,1 (25P) and 380 g kg,1 protein content (38P) affected their growth rate, gut residence time (GRT), food consumption (C), food conversion ratio (FCR) and digestibility. Abalone from 38P attained the highest growth rate (70.5 ± 4.2 ,m day,1; 98.3 ± 6.95 ,g day,1), followed by 25P (47.9 ± 2.79 ,m day,1; 67.4 ± 2.82 ,g day,1) and kelp (23.6 ± 3.36 ,m day,1; 28.2 ± 4.11 ,g day,1). No significant differences were observed in consumption rate among treatments (0.61,0.68% body weight per day), yet kelp-fed abalone exhibited higher FCR (2.44), protein efficiency ratio (4.42), and apparent digestibility of dry matter (69.5%), protein (69.8%) and gross energy (79.2%) than 38P organisms (59.8, 62.4 and 62.2%, respectively). They also showed longer GRT (23.1 ± 0.93 h). This study demonstrated that formulated diets with 250 g kg,1 and 380 g kg,1 protein inclusion can sustain higher growth rates of juvenile H. rufescens than fresh algae. These differences seem to be due to the amount of dietary protein. Kelp meal appears to improve the consumption and digestibility of balanced diets, and its inclusion in formulated diets is recommended. [source] Comparative performances of staging systems for early hepatocellular carcinomaHPB, Issue 5 2009Hari Nathan Abstract Background:, Several staging systems for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been proposed, but studies of their prognostic accuracy have yielded conflicting conclusions. Stratifying patients with early HCC is of particular interest because these patients may derive the greatest benefit from intervention, yet no studies have evaluated the comparative performances of staging systems in patients with early HCC. Methods:, A retrospective cohort study was performed using data on 379 patients who underwent liver resection or liver transplantation for HCC at six major hepatobiliary centres in the USA and Europe. The staging systems evaluated were: the Okuda staging system, the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) staging system, the Cancer of the Liver Italian Programme (CLIP) score, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, the Japanese Integrated Staging (JIS) score and the American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) staging system, 6th edition. A recently proposed early HCC prognostic score was also evaluated. The discriminative abilities of the staging systems were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and the bootstrap-corrected concordance index (c). Results:, Overall survival of the cohort was 74% at 3 years and 52% at 5 years, with a median survival of 62 months. Most systems demonstrated poor discriminatory ability (P > 0.05 on Cox proportional hazards analysis, c, 0.5). However, the AJCC/UICC system clearly stratified patients (P < 0.001, c= 0.59), albeit only into two groups. The early HCC prognostic score also clearly stratified patients (P < 0.001, c= 0.60) and identified three distinct prognostic groups. Discussion:, The early HCC prognostic score is superior to the AJCC/UICC staging system (6th edition) for predicting the survival of patients with early HCC after liver resection or liver transplantation. Other major HCC staging systems perform poorly in patients with early HCC. [source] Comparative performances of selected chiral HPLC, SFC, and CE systems with a chemically diverse sample setCHIRALITY, Issue S1 2003Phil Borman Abstract Pharmaceutical companies have a continuous need to resolve new racemates. Analysis may be required in aqueous and nonaqueous media, or in the presence of several different sets of potentially interfering compounds. There is often a preparative requirement. For these reasons analysts may require a number of different separation systems capable of resolving a given pair of enantiomers. We wished to improve upon existing approaches that address this situation and undertook a program of work to screen over 100 racemates, selected for their chemical diversity, on over 100 different chiral HPLC, SFC, and CE systems. Here we report results of this comparison and illustrate the use of rapid gradient screening as a valuable tool for chiral method development. Chirality 15:S1,S12, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Is Europe Becoming the Most Dynamic Knowledge Economy in the World?JCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 3 2005DANIELE ARCHIBUGI The article discusses the condition and perspective of the European Union in the knowledge economy and the feasibility of the goal given by the European Council at the summits held in Lisbon (March 2000) and Barcelona (March 2002), that is, to increase European R&D expenditure to 3 per cent of GDP by 2010. The article focuses on two aspects: comparative performance with its direct counterparts, in particular the USA; and intra-European distribution of resources and capabilities. A set of technological indicators is presented to show that Europe is still consistently behind when compared to Japan and the US, especially in R&D investment and the generation of innovations. A small convergence occurs in the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICTs), the sector most directly linked to the concept of the,new economy'. In the field of knowledge collaboration, Europe takes opposing paths in the business and academic worlds. Within Europe, the level of investment in scientific and technological activities is so diverse across countries that it does not merge into a single continental innovation system. [source] Fish functional design and swimming performanceJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2004R. W. Blake Classifications of fish swimming are reviewed as a prelude to discussing functional design and performance in an ecological context. Webb (1984a, 1998) classified fishes based on body shape and locomotor mode into three basic categories: body and caudal fin (BCF) periodic, BCF transient (fast-starts, turns) and median and paired fin (MPF) swimmers. Swimming performance and functional design is discussed for each of these categories. Webb hypothesized that specialization in any given category would limit performance in any other. For example, routine MPF swimmers should be penalized in BCF transient (fast-start propulsion). Recent studies offer much support for Webb's construct but also suggest some necessary amendments. In particular, design and performance compromises for different swimming modes are associated with fish that employ the same propulsor for more than one task (coupled, e.g. the same propulsor for routine steady swimming and fast-starts). For example, pike (BCF transient specialist) achieve better acceleration performance than trout (generalist). Pike steady (BCF periodic) performance, however, is inferior to that of trout. Fish that employ different propulsors for different tasks (decoupled, e.g. MPF propulsion for low-speed routine swimming and BCF motions for fast-starts) do not show serious performance compromises. For example, certain MPF low-speed swimmers show comparable fast-start performance to BCF forms. Arguably, the evolution of decoupled locomotor systems was a major factor underlying the adaptive radiation of teleosts. Low-speed routine propulsion releases MPF swimmers from the morphological constraints imposed by streamlining allowing for a high degree of variability in form. This contrasts with BCF periodic swimming specialists where representatives of four vertebrate classes show evolutionary convergence on a single, optimal ,thunniform' design. However, recent experimental studies on the comparative performance of carangiform and thunniform swimmers contradict some of the predictions of hydromechanical models. This is addressed in regard to the swimming performance, energetics and muscle physiology of tuna. The concept of gait is reviewed in the context of coupled and decoupled locomotor systems. Biomimetic approaches to the development of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles have given a new context and impetus to research and this is discussed in relation to current views of fish functional design and swimming performance. Suggestions are made for possible future research directions. [source] U.S. Sourcing from Low-Cost Countries: A Comparative Analysis of Supplier PerformanceJOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2007Kusumal Ruamsook SUMMARY Given the increase in sourcing from low-cost countries (LCCs), it is important to assess relative supplier performance across these regions. This work investigates the comparative performance of LCC suppliers on 14 operational indicators of international sourcing and supply chain performance. Using survey methods, the study addresses these two questions: (1) How do the LCC regions of Asia, the Western Hemisphere and Europe compare in terms of the 14 operational indicators?; and (2) How do LCC nations within these three regions compare with regard to the 14 operational indicators? Perceived differences exist among the regions of Asia, the Western Hemisphere and Europe, as well as among the LCC nations of these three regions. However, no one region outperforms the others, and no one nation outperforms the others, on all 14 operational indicators investigated. Accordingly, this study also identifies the key areas of comparative advantage and disadvantage that each LCC region and each LCC nation presents in its relationship with U.S. buying firms. [source] The monolithic multicell: a tool for testing material components in dye-sensitized solar cellsPROGRESS IN PHOTOVOLTAICS: RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS, Issue 2 2007Henrik Pettersson Abstract A multicell is presented as a tool for testing material components in encapsulated dye-sensitized solar cells. The multicell is based on a four-layer monolithic cell structure and an industrial process technology. Each multicell plate includes 24 individual well-encapsulated cells. A sulfur lamp corrected to the solar spectrum has been used to characterize the cells. Efficiencies up to 6·8% at a light-intensity of 1000,W/msu2 (up to 7·5% at 250,W/m2) have been obtained with an electrolyte solution based on ,-butyrolactone. Additionally, a promising long-term stability at cell efficiencies close to 5% at 1000,W/m2 has been obtained with an electrolyte based on glutaronitrile. The reproducibility of the cell performance before and after exposure to accelerated testing has been high. This means that the multicell can be used as an efficient tool for comparative performance and stability tests. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Genetic differences in growth among wild populations of the yabby, Cherax destructor (Clark)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2002D R Jerry Abstract Before commencing a breeding programme on a new aquaculture species, it is prudent to identify populations or strains with superior characteristics for commercial production. Information on the comparative performance of populations allows informed decisions to be made on the starting genetic base for the programme. As a precursor to a breeding programme in the decapod species, Cherax destructor (Clark), five geographically isolated populations were evaluated for the traits weight at age, abdomen length and abdomen width over a period of 9 months. Mean weight at age was found to vary among the populations by up to 42%, whereas mean abdomen length was similar among four out of the five populations. No differences were found in abdomen width. This study emphasizes that rapid genetic gains can be made simply by starting a breeding programme based on faster growing populations. [source] Is there a preferable DES in diabetic patients?CATHETERIZATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR INTERVENTIONS, Issue 7 2008A critical appraisal of the evidence Abstract Drug-eluting stent (DES) therapy reduces restenosis in patients with diabetes when compared with bare metal stent implantation. There are significant differences between commercially available DES platforms both in terms of design characteristics and clinical outcomes. Randomized active-comparator inter-DES trials powered for clinical endpoints are unlikely to be performed in patients with diabetes, however, direct comparison randomized trials utilizing surrogate endpoints support a superior anti-restenotic efficacy with sirolimus- versus paclitaxel-eluting stents. Thrombotic stent occlusion may be higher in patients with diabetes compared with nondiabetic patients, though there is no clear signal of a safety differential between the two platforms. Insufficient data on comparative performance in diabetics exist in relation to the approved zotarolimus-eluting and everolimus-eluting stent platforms. If all other factors are equal, then there seems to be no reason why the diabetic patient should not receive treatment with the sirolimus-eluting stent, which appears to have superior antirestenotic efficacy in this patient group. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] On the Origins of Clinical Psychology Faculty: Who Is Training the Trainers?CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2000Stephen S. Ilardi There exists little published research regarding the comparative performance of graduate programs in clinical psychology on relevant measures of program achievement. The present report thus aims to provide information about one such measure,program proficiency in training graduates to assume clinical psychology faculty positions. Degree-granting institution and year of degree completion were obtained for 1,529 individuals listed as core faculty at 150 university-based clinical psychology Ph.D. programs accredited by the American Psychological Association. On this basis, leading programs (i.e., those having trained numerous clinical faculty members) are identified. Proficiency in placing graduates in clinical faculty positions was moderately positively correlated with program reputational strength; it was not significantly associated with program size. A set of recommendations for the systematic investigation of factors germane to such proficiency, as well as to program achievement in other important (and heretofore unstudied) domains, is proffered. It is argued that no single measure is adequate as an overall gauge of program excellence. [source] Development of efficient and durable sources of white lightCOLORATION TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Timothy L Dawson This review presents a brief history of the development of light sources over the centuries to provide one of the human race's basic needs , light. Recent moves in Europe to encourage the adoption of compact fluorescent lamps as more energy-efficient replacements for incandescent lights, despite certain drawbacks, are described. Rapid strides are now being made in the development of solid-state ,white' lights which are already sufficiently durable and efficient to warrant adoption for both domestic and public lighting purposes. Their basic construction and comparative performance, properties and uses are fully described, together with the many ideas for improving their brightness and durability still further. Solid-state devices offer additional savings compared with those which should be achieved under the EU's targeted replacement of incandescent lights by 2012, and later one can expect such devices to compete with high-pressure sodium luminaires for street lighting. [source] Comparative performances of staging systems for early hepatocellular carcinomaHPB, Issue 5 2009Hari Nathan Abstract Background:, Several staging systems for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been proposed, but studies of their prognostic accuracy have yielded conflicting conclusions. Stratifying patients with early HCC is of particular interest because these patients may derive the greatest benefit from intervention, yet no studies have evaluated the comparative performances of staging systems in patients with early HCC. Methods:, A retrospective cohort study was performed using data on 379 patients who underwent liver resection or liver transplantation for HCC at six major hepatobiliary centres in the USA and Europe. The staging systems evaluated were: the Okuda staging system, the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) staging system, the Cancer of the Liver Italian Programme (CLIP) score, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, the Japanese Integrated Staging (JIS) score and the American Joint Committee on Cancer/International Union Against Cancer (AJCC/UICC) staging system, 6th edition. A recently proposed early HCC prognostic score was also evaluated. The discriminative abilities of the staging systems were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and the bootstrap-corrected concordance index (c). Results:, Overall survival of the cohort was 74% at 3 years and 52% at 5 years, with a median survival of 62 months. Most systems demonstrated poor discriminatory ability (P > 0.05 on Cox proportional hazards analysis, c, 0.5). However, the AJCC/UICC system clearly stratified patients (P < 0.001, c= 0.59), albeit only into two groups. The early HCC prognostic score also clearly stratified patients (P < 0.001, c= 0.60) and identified three distinct prognostic groups. Discussion:, The early HCC prognostic score is superior to the AJCC/UICC staging system (6th edition) for predicting the survival of patients with early HCC after liver resection or liver transplantation. Other major HCC staging systems perform poorly in patients with early HCC. [source] | ||||||||||||||||