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Explicit Process (explicit + process)
Selected AbstractsQuantification of in vivo biotransformation of the anionic surfactant C12 -2-linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in fathead minnowsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2000Johannes Tolls Abstract Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) is a major surfactant in household detergents and enters the environment via the wastewater. Aquatic organisms are thus exposed to LAS and can bioaccumulate this compound. Even though the extent of bio-accumulation is determined by the organisms' capability of metabolizing LAS, little is known about metabolism of LAS in small aquatic organisms. In the present investigation, we present a novel approach to quantify in vivo biotransformation. Fish (fathead minnows [Pimephales promelas]) were exposed to the LAS constituent 2- n -(p -sulfophenyl)-dodecane (C12 -2-LAS). The parent surfactant and its biotransformation product 3- n -(p -sulfophenyl)-butyric acid (C4 -3-SPC) were determined in fish tissue. On the average, the concentration of C4 -3-SPC in fish was 70 to 80% of that of C12 -2-LAS. The first-order one-compartment model of bioconcentration was extended to include biotransformation as an explicit process. Analysis of the C4 -3-SPC/C12 -2-LASconcentration ratio in fish allowed estimating a rate constant for in vivo biotransformation of C12 -2-LAS in fathead minnows. With the estimates of the biotransformation rate constant (kBT,LAS) ranging between 0.31 and 0.72/d, biotransformation contributes to more than 40% of the elimination of C12 -2-LAS in fathead minnows. This indicates that biotransformation is a significant process in reducing the bioaccumulation potential of LAS. Moreover, the present investigation demonstrates that the combination of measurements of parent compound and metabolite with an extended bioaccumulation model is a viable approach for quantification of biotransformation in small aquatic test animals. [source] Critical appraisal of rigour in interpretive phenomenological nursing researchJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2006Lorna De Witt BScN RN Aim., This paper reports a critical review of published nursing research for expressions of rigour in interpretive phenomenology, and a new framework of rigour specific to this methodology is proposed. Background., The rigour of interpretive phenomenology is an important nursing research methods issue that has direct implications for the legitimacy of nursing science. The use of a generic set of qualitative criteria of rigour for interpretive phenomenological studies is problematic because it is philosophically inconsistent with the methodology and creates obstacles to full expression of rigour in such studies. Methods., A critical review was conducted of the published theoretical interpretive phenomenological nursing literature from 1994 to 2004 and the expressions of rigour in this literature identified. We used three sources to inform the derivation of a proposed framework of expressions of rigour for interpretive phenomenology: the phenomenological scholar van Manen, the theoretical interpretive phenomenological nursing literature, and Madison's criteria of rigour for hermeneutic phenomenology. Findings., The nursing literature reveals a broad range of criteria for judging the rigour of interpretive phenomenological research. The proposed framework for evaluating rigour in this kind of research contains the following five expressions: balanced integration, openness, concreteness, resonance, and actualization. Balanced integration refers to the intertwining of philosophical concepts in the study methods and findings and a balance between the voices of study participants and the philosophical explanation. Openness is related to a systematic, explicit process of accounting for the multiple decisions made throughout the study process. Concreteness relates to usefulness for practice of study findings. Resonance encompasses the experiential or felt effect of reading study findings upon the reader. Finally, actualization refers to the future realization of the resonance of study findings. Conclusion., Adoption of this or similar frameworks of expressions of rigour could help to preserve the integrity and legitimacy of interpretive phenomenological nursing research. [source] Addressing the Population Burden of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Problems: A Primary Care ModelCHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2000Peter L. Appleton A model for primary care child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) services is presented, the overall goal of which is to reduce population burden of CAMH problems. The theoretical orientation of the model is based on ecological systems theories. Features of the model include: local population outcome measures; small area service focus; primary-care-based CAMH specialists; a locally comprehensive service framework based in primary care (schools and general practices); and an explicit process of community engagement. The model is illustrated by reference to a primary care CAMH service (currently the subject of a controlled trial) in Flintshire, North Wales. [source] Review of the ecology of Australian urban fauna: A focus on spatially explicit processesAUSTRAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2006JENNI GARDEN Abstract Cities have a major impact on Australian landscapes, especially in coastal regions, to the detriment of native biodiversity. Areas suitable for urban development often coincide with those areas that support high levels of species diversity and endemism. However, there is a paucity of reliable information available to guide urban conservation planning and management, especially regarding the trade-off between investing in protecting and restoring habitat at the landscape level, and investing in programmes to maintain the condition of remnant vegetation at the local (site) level. We review the literature on Australian urban ecology, focusing on urban terrestrial and aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. We identify four main factors limiting our knowledge of urban fauna: (i) a lack of studies focusing at multiple ecological levels; (ii) a lack of multispecies studies; (iii) an almost total absence of long-term (temporal) studies; and (iv) a need for stronger integration of research outcomes into urban conservation planning and management. We present a set of key principles for the development of a spatially explicit, long-term approach to urban fauna research. This requires an understanding of the importance of local-level habitat quality and condition relative to the composition, configuration and connectivity of habitats within the larger urban landscape. These principles will ultimately strengthen urban fauna management and conservation planning by enabling us to prioritize and allocate limited financial resources to maximize the conservation return. [source] | ||||||||||