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Electronic Version (electronic + version)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	77%

Selected Abstracts

Electronic Mail in Foreign Language Writing: A Study of Grammatical and Lexical Accuracy, and Quantity of Language

FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 2 2000
Manuela Gonzälez-Bueno
The authors statistically analyzed the quality and quantity of discourse generated via the electronic and the traditional (i.e., paper-and-pencil) medium. The primary objective was to determine whether the use of electronic mail had any effect on grammatical accuracy, appropriate use of vocabulary, and language productivity. In addition, the participants completed a written survey at the end of the semester that elicited their opinions of the program's effectiveness. It was found that the electronic version of dialogue journals had a significantly positive effect on the amount of language generated by the students, and that it improved students' attitude towards learning and practicing the target language. However, the electronic version of dialogue journals did not seem to pose any significant advantage over the paper-and-pencil version with regard to lexical and grammatical accuracy. [source]

Embedding 3D models of biological specimens in PDF publications

MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 11 2008
Bernhard Ruthensteiner
Abstract By providing two examples, the option for embedding 3D models in electronic versions of life science publications is presented. These examples, presumably representing the first such models published, are developmental stages of an evertebrate (Patella caerulea, Mollusca) and a vertebrate species (Psetta maxima, Teleostei) obtained from histological section series reconstruction processed with the software package Amira. These surface rendering models are particularly suitable for a PDF file because they can easily be transformed to a file format required and components may be conveniently combined and hierarchically arranged. All methodological steps starting from specimen preparation until embedding of resulting models in PDF files with emphasis on conversion of Amira data to the appropriate 3D file format are explained. Usability of 3D models in PDF documents is exemplified and advantages over 2D illustrations are discussed, including better explanation capabilities for spatial arrangements, higher information contents, and limiting options for disguising results by authors. Possibilities for additional applications reaching far beyond the examples presented are suggested. Problems such as long-term compatibility of file format and hardware plus software, editing and embedding of files, file size and differences in information contents between printed and electronic version will likely be overcome by technical development and increasing tendency toward electronic at the cost of printed publications. Since 3D visualization plays an increasing role in manifold disciplines of science and appropriate tools for the popular PDF format are readily available, we propose routine application of this way of illustration in electronic life science papers. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Development and validation of an electronic version of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire

ALLERGY, Issue 9 2007
E. F. Juniper
Background:, As clinicians and pharmaceutical companies move from paper versions of health status questionnaires to electronic versions, it cannot be assumed that adaptations to other media will produce valid data. Aims:, The aims of this study were to (1) adapt the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire [RQLQ(S); standardized version], for the Palm Treo 650, (2) test the device for ease and accuracy of understanding and (3) examine the validity of the electronic version by comparing it with the original paper version of the RQLQ(S). Methods:, Seventy adults with current rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms completed the electronic and paper versions of the RQLQ(S). They were randomized to complete either the paper or the electronic version first. After a 2-h break, they completed the other version. Results:, Concordance between paper and electronic versions for the overall RQLQ(S) score was acceptable with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95 and there was no evidence of bias (P = 0.13). Concordance for the seven individual domains ranged from 0.86 to 0.94. A small but significant bias was observed in the activity and sleep domains (P = 0.02). Completion times were quicker with paper (4.1 vs 4.9 min, P < 0.0001). About 51% of patients preferred electronic, 17% preferred paper and 31% had no preference. Conclusions:, This electronic version of the RQLQ(S) was easy for patients to use and the concordance between paper and this version on the Palm Treo 650 provides evidence of the validity of this electronic version. [source]

The ROSAT Brightest Cluster Sample , IV.

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 2 2000
The extended sample
We present a low-flux extension of the X-ray-selected ROSAT Brightest Cluster Sample (BCS) published in Paper I of this series. Like the original BCS and employing an identical selection procedure, the BCS extension is compiled from ROSAT All-Sky Survey (RASS) data in the northern hemisphere (,,0°) and at high Galactic latitudes (|b|,20°). It comprises 99 X-ray-selected clusters of galaxies with measured redshifts z,0.3 (as well as eight more at z>0.3) and total fluxes between 2.8×10,12 and 4.4×10,12 erg cm,2 s,1 in the 0.1,2.4 keV band (the latter value being the flux limit of the original BCS). The extension can be combined with the main sample published in 1998 to form the homogeneously selected extended BCS (eBCS), the largest and statistically best understood cluster sample to emerge from the RASS to date. The nominal completeness of the combined sample (defined with respect to a power-law fit to the bright end of the BCS log N,log S distribution) is relatively low at 75 per cent (compared with 90 per cent for the high-flux sample of Paper I). However, just as for the original BCS, this incompleteness can be accurately quantified, and thus statistically corrected for, as a function of X-ray luminosity and redshift. In addition to its importance for improved statistical studies of the properties of clusters in the local Universe, the low-flux extension of the BCS is also intended to serve as a finding list for X-ray-bright clusters in the northern hemisphere which we hope will prove useful in the preparation of cluster observations with the next generation of X-ray telescopes such as Chandra and XMM-Newton. An electronic version of the eBCS can be obtained from the following URL: http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/~ebeling/clusters/BCS.html. [source]

Guidance on Novel Influenza A/H1N1 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010
Officially endorsed by the American Society of Transplantation (AST), The Transplantation Society (TTS), the Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST)
Novel influenza A/H1N1 virus has caused significant illness worldwide. In response to this global crisis, the American Society of Transplantation (AST) Infectious Diseases Community of Practice and the Transplant Infectious Diseases section of The Transplantation Society (TTS) developed a guidance document for novel H1N1. In this paper, we discuss current guidance for H1N1 as it relates to solid organ transplantation. We include discussion around clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapy and prevention specifically addressing areas such as chemoprophylaxis, immunization and donor-derived infection. Although this document addresses conditions specific to novel H1N1, many principles could be applied to future pandemics. As new information emerges about novel H1N1, updates will be made to the electronic version of the document posted on the websites of the AST and TTS. [source]

The use of nationwide on-line prescription records improves the drug history in hospitalized patients

BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Bente Glintborg
What is already known about this subject ,,Structured medication interviews improve the medication history upon hospitalization ,,Pharmacy records are valid lists of the prescribed medications available to individual patients ,,In Denmark, treating doctors now have access to their patients' pharmacy records through a real-time online electronic database What this study adds ,,Omission errors are frequent among hospitalized patients despite structured drug interviews and home visits ,,Pharmacy records may be used to minimize patients' recall bias and improve the medication lists Background Structured medication interviews improve the medication history in hospitalized patients. In Denmark, a nationwide electronic version of individual pharmacy records (PR) has recently been introduced. Use of these records could improve the medication lists in hospitalized patients. Methods We prospectively included 500 patients admitted to an acute medical department. In individual patients, the PR was compared with (i) the medication list written in the patient chart and (ii) drug information provided by the patient during a structured drug interview upon admission and during a home visit after discharge. Results Median patient age was 72 years. Upon admission, patients reported using 1958 prescription-only medications (POM) (median four drugs per patient, range 0,14), of which 114 (6%) were not registered in PR. In PR, 1153 POM (median one per patient, range 0,11) were registered during the month preceding admission. The patients did not report 309 (27%) of these upon admission. Home visits were performed in a subgroup of 115 patients. During home visits, 18% of POM registered in PR during the preceding month were not reported. Drug type was predictive of reporting irrespective of patient sex or age. Cardiovascular drugs were reported most and dermatologicals were reported less frequently. Underreporting might be due to recall bias, non-adherence or discontinuation of drugs. Conclusions Omission errors are frequent despite structured medication interviews. Pharmacy records or medication lists from all treating doctors must be included in medication reviews in order to reduce recall bias. [source]