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Kinds of Formats Selected AbstractsSurvey Conditioning in Self-Reported Mental Health Service Use: Randomized Comparison of Alternative Instrument FormatsHEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007Naihua Duan Objective. To test the effect of survey conditioning (whether observed survey responses are affected by previous experience in the same survey or similar surveys) in a survey instrument used to assess mental health service use. Data Sources. Primary data collected in the National Latino and Asian American Study, a cross-sectional household survey of Latinos and Asian Americans residing in the United States. Study Design. Study participants are randomly assigned to a Traditional Instrument with an interleafed format placing service use questions after detailed questions on disorders, or a Modified Instrument with an ensemble format screening for service use near the beginning of the survey. We hypothesize the ensemble format to be less susceptible to survey conditioning than the interleafed format. We compare self-reported mental health services use measures (overall, aggregate categories, and specific categories) between recipients of the two instruments, using 2 × 2 ,2 tests and logistic regressions that control for key covariates. Data Collection. In-person computer-assisted interviews, conducted in respondent's preferred language (English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog, or Vietnamese). Principal Findings. Higher service use rates are reported with the Modified Instrument than with the Traditional Instrument for all service use measures; odds ratios range from 1.41 to 3.10, all p -values <.001. Results are similar across ethnic groups and insensitive to model specification. Conclusions. Survey conditioning biases downward reported mental health service use when the instrument follows an interleafed format. An ensemble format should be used when it is feasible for measures that are susceptible to survey conditioning. [source] Do Different Audit Report Formats Affect Shareholders' and Auditors' Perceptions?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDITING, Issue 3 2008Kar-Ming Chong This study investigates the impact of three different audit report formats on shareholders' and auditors' perceptions. The formats are derived from the Guidance Note Report to Australian Standard AUS702 which aims to improve communications between auditors and shareholders. Formats include an expanded report, a ,plain language' expanded report with the audit opinion at the end, and a ,plain language' expanded report with the audit opinion at the start. A questionnaire research instrument was mailed to shareholders and auditors. In general, the audit report formats did not reduce the expectations gap between shareholders and auditors. A greater number of significant differences between shareholders' and auditors' perceptions were evident for the expanded format (vis-ŕ-vis the AUS 702 short format), while fewer significant differences existed for the ,plain language' expanded report with the audit opinion at the start. [source] A Social Representations Approach To The Communication Between Different Spheres: An Analysis Of The Impacts Of Two Discursive FormatsJOURNAL FOR THE THEORY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, Issue 4 2009SUSANA BATEL This paper discusses the potential of the notions of reification and consensualization as developed by the theory of social representations as analytical tools for addressing the communication between the lay and scientific spheres. Social Representations Theory started by offering an over-sharp distinction between the reified and the consensual universes of which science and common sense, respectively, were presented as paradigmatic. This paper, however, suggests that the notions of consensual and reified can be considered as describing two distinct communicative formats: reification implying the use of arguments which establish prescriptions for representations and action, and consensualization relying on arguments which recognize the heterogeneity of representation and action. We illustrate this proposal through the analysis of a case in which the expert and the lay spheres of a Lisbon neighborhood opposed each other regarding the new laws of public participation in community matters. This analysis showed how reification and consensualization can be used as discursive formats by both spheres. The implications of the use of reification and consensualization and how they may depend on several power resources and have different impacts on social change are discussed. [source] Effect of Two Types of Control Questions and Two Question Formats on the Outcomes of Polygraph Examinations,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 4 2008Frank Horvath Ph.D. Abstract:, Two major variations of polygraph "Control Question" testing, the Zone Comparison (ZoC) and the Modified General Question Test (MGQT) were evaluated. Within each, the type of control question, Exclusive or "time bar" (e.g., "Before you were 21, did you ever...") and Nonexclusive or "no time bar"(e.g., "Did you ever,.?") was manipulated in a mock theft scenario, with 80 male and 40 female subjects randomly assigned to be either innocent or guilty. Polygraphic data collected by experienced field examiners were numerically scored by an evaluator blind to all aspects of the study. Decision accuracy was not related to the type of procedure (ZoC/MGQT) used or the subject's sex. Accuracy was significantly related to the type of control question [,2(2) = 11.46, p = 0.003; ,c = 0.29]. Nonexclusive control questions produced greater accuracy than Exclusive control questions on both innocent and guilty subjects. These results and subjects' self-reports support the general "theory" on which control question (CQ) testing is based. The need for better empirical support of accepted dogma and current field practices is strongly indicated by these findings. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 2 2007Article first published online: 1 MAR 200 Venlafaxine: same suicide risk Venlafaxine (Efexor) is probably not associated with a higher risk of suicide than citalopram, fluoxetine or dosulepin, even when prescribed for patients at higher risk, according to an analysis of the UK General Practice Research Database (BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.39041.445104.BE. Published 12 December 2006). The retrospective cohort study found that venlafaxine was associated with a significantly higher risk of completed and attempted suicide in adults than the other antidepressants but, after adjusting for risk factors, the authors concluded that much, if not all, of the difference could be explained by confounding. Raised glucose with thiazides not clinically significant? A new analysis of the ALLHAT trial suggests that the small increase in blood glucose levels associated with long-term thiazide therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events (Arch Intern Med 2006;166:2191-201). The ALLHAT trial compared cardiovascular outcomes in over 18 000 patients with hypertension who were treated with chlortali- done (Hygroton), amlodipine and lisinopril. After two years, fasting blood glucose had increased in all groups (by 0.47, 0.31 and 0.19mmol per litre respectively); compared with chlortalidone, the odds of developing diabetes were 45 per cent lower with lisinopril and 27 per cent lower with amlodipine. However, there was no significant link between fasting blood glucose levels and cardiovascular events, end-stage renal disease or death; developing diabetes was associated with an increased risk of CHD overall but this was not statistically significant for chlortalidone in particular. Withdrawing alendronate after five years' treatment Discontinuing treatment of osteoporosis with alendronate after five years does not significantly increase fracture risk for many women, a US study has shown (J Am Med Assoc 2006;296:2927-38). In this five-year extension to the Fracture Intervention Trial, 1099 women who had taken alendronate for five years were randomised to continue treatment or switch to placebo for a further five years. In those taking placebo, bone mineral density decreased by 2.4 per cent at the hip and 3.7 per cent in the spine but remained above pre- treatment levels. Continuing with alendronate was associated with a lower risk of clinical vertebral fractures (2.4 vs 5.3 per cent) but no significant reduction in morphometric vertebral fractures (9.8 vs 11.3 per cent respectively). The cumulative risk of nonvertebral fractures was 19 per cent in each group. The authors conclude that women at very high risk of clinical vertebral fractures may benefit from continuing alendronate, but for many discontinuation does not appear to increase fracture risk. Instructions on labels Patients with low levels of literacy are at high risk of not understanding medicines labelling (Ann Intern Med 2006;145:887-94). In 395 English-speaking adults, 71 per cent correctly repeated simple label instructions, but only 35 per cent could demonstrate the correct number of tablets involved. Low literacy levels were associated with a twofold increased risk of misunderstanding labelling. Statins campaign The National Prescribing Centre (NPC) has launched a campaign to increase prescribing of low-cost statins. Resources available from its website at www.npc.co.uk/statins.htm are divided into four categories: policy and guidance, therapeutics, implementation resources and monitoring tools. Formats include documents and case studies, Powerpoint presentations and E-learning workshops. patients feeling rested on waking and daytime functioning. The Z-drugs were also believed to cause fewer adverse effects. GPs believe in ,Z' drugs A survey of GPs in Lincolnshire has revealed that their beliefs about nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics are inconsistent with NICE guidance and published evidence (Br J Gen Pract 2006; 56:964-7). Responders believed that zaleplon (Sonata), zopiclone and zolpidem were superior to benzodiazepines in increasing sleep time, patients feeling rested on waking and daytime functioning. The Z-drugs were also believed to cause fewer adverse effects. The authors note that, while benzodiazepine prescribing is declining, that of the Z-drugs is increasing, and they suggest this may be explained by misplaced beliefs about their relative effectiveness and safety. Pharmacy EHC guidance Pharmacists can supply emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) in advance but should consider when it is clinically appropriate to do so, according to revised guidance from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The move follows support for advance supply from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes International. Pharmacists are advised to decline repeated requests and recommend contraception instead, and to counsel users on using EHC safely and appropriately. More support from NICE NICE has developed two databases to support implementation of its recommendations. The shared learning database (www.nice.org.uk/ sharedlearning) includes experiences of implementing NICE guidance. The second, known as ERNIE (Evaluation and Review of NICE Implementation Evidence), includes data provided by NICE on uptake of its advice and external information (www.nice.org.uk/ernie). Mental health briefings The DoH (www.dh.gov.uk) has published several briefing documents to explain the main changes to mental health legislation, covering professional roles, criteria for detention and supervised community treatment (SCT). SCT applies to patients with a stable chronic mental disorder who have been discharged from hospital and who, but for their treatment, may pose a risk to themselves or others. Patients remain the responsibility of the mental health team. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Effective Synthesized/preappraised Evidence Formats in Emergency Medicine and the Use of Supplemental Knowledge Translation TechniquesACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2007Brian H. Rowe MD Most clinicians, and especially emergency physicians, are increasingly faced with the need for valid and reliable evidence upon which to base practice decisions in a timely fashion. Despite the accumulation of synthesized evidence in emergency medicine over the past decade, knowledge gaps still exist between what is known and what is practiced. In many cases, this failure in knowledge uptake relates to barriers in uptake as well as the difficulty of translating evidence from research to the bedside. Preappraised evidence syntheses represent a potential partial solution to these problems by providing condensed summaries of the large volume of scientific literature in our field. The participants in this workshop examined the availability, utility, and impact of preappraised evidence and examined innovative ways to translate this knowledge into practice. In addition, the workshop participants also explored more globally all knowledge translation methods that are distinct from clinical pathways (e.g., audit and feedback, academic detailing, reminders, and local opinion leaders). These are initiatives that are instituted at the level of a particular hospital or with respect to a certain condition, and emergency physicians need to understand their definition and application. Overall, the recommendations arising from this workshop have the potential to alter future emergency care in important ways. [source] Nuclear magnetic resonance data processing.CONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 2 2003MestRe-C: A software package for desktop computers Abstract Magnetic Resonance Companion (MestRe-C) is a software package that offers state-of-the-art facilities for data processing, visualization, and analysis of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, combined with a robust, user-friendly graphical interface that fully exploits the power and flexibility of the Windows platform. The program provides a variety of conversion facilities for most NMR spectrometer formats and includes all the conventional processing, displaying, and plotting capabilities of an NMR program, as well as more advanced processing techniques. A brief review of the basic concepts of NMR data processing is included also. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 19A: 80,96, 2003. [source] A standards-based Grid resource brokering service supporting advance reservations, coallocation, and cross-Grid interoperabilityCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 18 2009Erik Elmroth Abstract The problem of Grid-middleware interoperability is addressed by the design and analysis of a feature-rich, standards-based framework for all-to-all cross-middleware job submission. The architecture is designed with focus on generality and flexibility and builds on extensive use, internally and externally, of (proposed) Web and Grid services standards such as WSRF, JSDL, GLUE, and WS-Agreement. The external use provides the foundation for easy integration into specific middlewares, which is performed by the design of a small set of plugins for each middleware. Currently, plugins are provided for integration into Globus Toolkit 4 and NorduGrid/ARC. The internal use of standard formats facilitates customization of the job submission service by replacement of custom components for performing specific well-defined tasks. Most importantly, this enables the easy replacement of resource selection algorithms by algorithms that address the specific needs of a particular Grid environment and job submission scenario. By default, the service implements a decentralized brokering policy, striving to optimize the performance for the individual user by minimizing the response time for each job submitted. The algorithms in our implementation perform resource selection based on performance predictions, and provide support for advance reservations as well as coallocation of multiple resources for coordinated use. The performance of the system is analyzed with focus on overall service throughput (up to over 250 jobs per min) and individual job submission response time (down to under 1,s). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [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] Media in the Museum: A Personal HistoryCURATOR THE MUSEUM JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007Selma Thomas In the past 15 years, both the formats and the applications have changed dramatically, altering the relationships between museums and visitors, and between visitors and collections. Taking on the challenge of the newest media allows museums to experiment and to reinvigorate their interpretive programs. [source] Graduate Business Students Performance with Synchronous and Asynchronous Interaction e-Learning MethodsDECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 2 2003Shawn F. Clouse ABSTRACT The effects of synchronous and asynchronous lectures and interaction formats were examined with graduate business students in on-campus and off-campus MBA programs. The dependent variables were scores on exams questions and learning styles and cognitive styles were used as covariates. The results indicated significant differences for discussion and lecture format and for on-campus and off-campus students. The results were discussed relative to learning in electronic environments. [source] Reliability and validity of a structured interview guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (SIGH-A)DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2001M. Katherine Shear M.D. Abstract The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, a widely used clinical interview assessment tool, lacks instructions for administration and clear anchor points for the assignment of severity ratings. We developed a Structured Interview Guide for the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (SIGH-A) and report on a study comparing this version to the traditional form of this scale. Experienced interviewers from three Anxiety Disorders research sites conducted videotaped interviews using both traditional and structured instruments in 89 participants. A subset of the tapes was co-rated by all raters. Participants completed self-report symptom questionnaires. We observed high inter-rater and test-retest reliability using both formats. The structured format produced similar but consistently higher (+ 4.2) scores. Correlation with a self-report measure of overall anxiety was also high and virtually identical for the two versions. We conclude that in settings where extensive training is not practical, the structured scale is an acceptable alternative to the traditional Hamilton Anxiety instrument. Depression and Anxiety 13:166,178, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Group cognitive behavioural therapy for obsessive,compulsive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysisACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009H. Jónsson Objective:, Behaviour therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP) or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) including ERP are considered the psychological treatments of choice for obsessive,compulsive disorder (OCD), but group CBT/ERP has received relatively little research attention in the treatment of OCD. The aim of this study was to provide a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of group CBT/ERP for OCD. Method:, A systematic literature search was conducted and studies were meta-analysed by means of the Cochrane Review Manager Program with measures of i) pre- to post-effect sizes (ES) and ii) between-group ES in comparison with different control conditions. Outcome was primarily measured on the Y-BOCS and ES was calculated in the form of Cohens d. Results:, Thirteen trials were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pre,post-ES of these trials of 1.18 and a between-group ES of 1.12 compared with waiting list control in three randomized controlled studies indicate that group CBT/ERP is an effective treatment for OCD. Group CBT achieved better results than pharmacological treatment in two studies. One study found no significant differences between individual and group CBT. Conclusion:, Group CBT is an effective treatment for OCD, but more studies are needed to compare the effectiveness of group and individual treatment formats. [source] Suitability for psychoanalytic psychotherapy: a reviewACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2004K. Valbak Objective:, To review empirical studies on outpatients' pretherapy suitability for psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Method:, A literature search for studies in English was made in the databases MEDLINE, PsychInfo and EM-base. Forty-one studies spanning 20 years were selected for a thorough evaluation. Results:, Seventy-five per cent of the studies concerned brief dynamic psychotherapy. In general, application of single measures of suitability had a modest predictive value with correlations in the range of 0.17,0.73. There was no consistent difference between various formats of therapies. Most promising variables with the highest correlations with good outcome were: ,good quality of object relations', ,psychological mindedness' and ,motivation for change'. Some clinical guidelines can be drawn from quantitative research to provide the therapist with best method and format. Conclusion:, The importance of psychological variables known from the development of the brief dynamic therapies and earlier research was confirmed. Most correlations were modest and single factors could not be identified. Multivariate designs that combine different methods and formats with patient characteristics seem most promising in future predictor-outcome research. [source] Selective Potentiometric Measurement of Physiologically Significant ThiolsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 3 2005Svetlana Gracheva Abstract The reaction of benzoquinone with reduced thiol species has been investigated using potentiometric techniques. The specificity of this reaction for thiol functionality has been briefly assessed and the nature of the electrode response has been elucidated. The system has been characterized in terms of selectivity, sensitivity and the efficacy of using the system for the quantification of thiol containing pharmaceuticals has been demonstrated. The simplicity of the detection methodology is shown to markedly contrast alternative thiol detection strategies. The transfer of the technology to a mass production format through the adoption of screen print electrode formats has been achieved and the efficacy of the approach demonstrated. Recovery experiments using captopril and penicillamine in tissue culture as a model analyte system were performed. [source] Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 23'2009ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 23 2009Article first published online: 3 DEC 200 Issue no. 23 has 18 contributions 11 of which have a "Focus on Non-Gel Proteomics" while the remaining 7 articles are concerned with "Gel-Based Proteomics". Part I assembles contributions on non-gel proteomics, and "provide the reader of ELECTROPHORESIS with a perspective of the current trends and innovative developments in proteomic separation methods and technologies" that are based on capillary and microchip formats. Part II consists of articles dealing with methodologies and applications of gel-based proteomics. This is expected to allow the reader to compare the effectiveness of both proteomics approaches. [source] IEF in microfluidic devicesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 5 2009Greg J. Sommer Abstract IEF is one of the most powerful and prevalent techniques used in separation sciences. The power of IEF comes from the fact that it not only separates analytes based on their pI but also focuses them into highly resolved bands. In line with the miniaturization trend spurring the analytical community, the past decade has yielded a wealth of research focused on implementing IEF in microfluidic chip-based formats (,IEF). Scaling down the separation technique provides several advantages such as reduced sample sizes, assay automation, and significant improvements in assay speed without sacrificing separation performance. Besides presenting microscale adaptations of standard schemes, researchers have also developed improved detection techniques, demonstrated novel ,IEF assays, and incorporated ,IEF with other analytical methods for achieving on-chip multidimensional separations. This review provides a brief historical outline of IEF's beginnings, theoretical incentives driving miniaturization of the methodology, a thorough synopsis of ,IEF publications to date, and an outlook to the future. [source] Molecularly imprinted polymers as a tool for separation in CECELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 1-2 2007Zhao-Sheng Liu Dr. Abstract Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthesized in the presence of a template which results in the formation of specific recognition cavities complementary to the template in shape and chemical functionality. One of the most successful application areas of MIPs is chromatographic sorbents, which are tailor-made synthetic polymers for a given analyte. However, low efficiency of MIP columns is often observed because of slow kinetics of the template. CEC-based MIPs are thought to improve efficiency of MIP-based separation due to the enhanced flow dynamics of CEC. Another attractive feature is the miniaturized format of CEC, so that fewer templates or monomers for the molecular imprinting are consumed, a characteristic desired for ,green chemistry'. The small dimensions of a capillary demand the development of novel polymer formats that can be applied to a miniaturized system. This review discusses the various formats, i.e., the micro- or nanoparticle, the coating and the monolith, for application in CEC as well as the use in MIP syntheses and characteristics. [source] A chip-based miniaturized format for protein-expression profiling: The exploitation of comprehensively produced antibodiesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 18 2006Hisashi Koga Dr. Abstract Numerous antibodies have been developed and validated in recent years, and show promise for use in novel functional protein assays. Such assays would be an alternative to pre-existing comprehensive assays, such as DNA microarrays. Antibody microarrays are thought to represent those functional protein assays. While a variety of attempts have been made to apply DNA microarray technology to antibody microarrays, a fully optimized protocol has not been established. We have been conducting a project to comprehensively produce antibodies against mouse KIAA ("KI" stands for "Kazusa DNA Research Institute" and "AA" are reference characters) proteins. Using our library of antibodies, we established a novel antibody microarray format that utilizes surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. A label-free real-time measurement of protein expression in crude cell lysates was achieved by direct readout of the bindings using SPR. Further refinement of the antibody microarray format enabled us to detect a smaller quantity of target proteins in the lysate without the bulk effect. In this review, we first summarize available antibody array formats and then describe the above-mentioned format utilizing updated SPR technology. [source] Refining the results of a whole-genome screen based on 4666 microsatellite markers for defining predisposition factors for multiple sclerosisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 14 2004René Gödde Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a complex genetic background. In order to identify loci associated with the disease, we had performed a genome screen initially using 6000 microsatellite markers in pooled DNA samples of 198 MS patients and 198 controls. Here, we report on the detailed reanalysis of this set of data. Distinctive features of microsatellites genotyped in pooled DNA causing false-positive association or masking existing association were met by improved evaluation and refined correction factors in the statistical analyses. In order to assess potential errors introduced by DNA pooling and genotyping, we resurveyed the experiment in a subset of microsatellite markers using de novo -composed DNA pools. True MS associations of markers were verified via genotyping all individual DNA samples comprised in the pools. Microsatellites share characteristically superb information content but they do not lend themselves to automation in very large scale formats. Especially after DNA pooling many artifacts of individual marker systems require special attention and treatment. Therefore, in the near future comprehensive whole-genome screens may rather be performed by typing single nucleotide polymorphisms on chip-based platforms. [source] High-Throughput-Screening Systems for Hydrolases,ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2004U.T. Bornscheuer Abstract In the past few years, several high-throughput screening (HTS) formats have been developed, driven by the increasing number of biocatalysts available and the development of directed evolution methods as a novel tool in the design of enzymes. This article focusses on HTS-methods to determine the activity and enantioselectivity of lipases and esterases. In addition, assays for amidase and racemase activity are included. [source] Pro-eating disorder websites: users' opinionsEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 3 2007Emese Csipke Abstract The phenomenon of ,pro-eating disorder' websites remains relatively unexplored by researchers in published formats. Supporters of the sites claim beneficial effects but health professionals worry that the sites propagate disordered behaviours. The present study addressed visitor characteristics and perceived impact of visits. A 24-item questionnaire supplemented with the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) was developed and posted on the website of the UK mental health charity SANE. Participants who interacted with others on the sites and sought emotional support reported improved mental state after visiting, and for them, evidence was found of reduced impact from potentially damaging content. ,Silent browsing' in order to sustain a disorder was found to be mainly harmful. ,Silent browsers' may be particularly vulnerable to a worsening of their symptoms in the absence of beneficial effects from emotional support, but those who interact and find support could face a danger of a different sort. © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Learner-control vs. program-control instructional multimedia: a comparison of two interactions when teaching principles of orthodontic appliancesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 4 2005M. Aly Abstract Background:, Many studies have compared computer assisted learning (CAL) to more traditional learning formats and have shown CAL to be as effective as or superior to the alternative resources. However, there are only scarce attempts to show which style of CAL leads to the best learning outcomes in orthodontics. Aim:, To compare the effectiveness of a learner-control (group A) vs. program-control (group B) multimedia learning environment courseware packages regarding knowledge, understanding and transfer of content when applied to teaching principles of orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. Methods:, Pre- and post-test assessments of undergraduate dental students (n = 30) who either studied a learner-control multimedia learning environment courseware package (n = 15) or a program-control version (n = 15) on equivalent material of the orthodontic appliances curriculum. Both groups were evaluated by means of multiple-choice questions covering knowledge, understanding and application. A one-way ANOVA was carried out in order to check for statistical difference between the two groups. The P -value was set at 0.05. Results:, There was no difference in prior knowledge between both groups at baseline. Although, both groups significantly improved their scores after having studied the course, no significant difference was found between both groups in relation to answers to questions about knowledge, understanding and application. Conclusions:, In this study, the learner-control instructional multimedia program was found to be as effective as the program-control version when teaching principles of the orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. The focus needs to be on improving the value of CAL. Comparative evaluations of how different CAL approaches compare with or complement one another are certainly needed. [source] A continuing education programme for general practitionersEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2000Status report after 5 years of function In 1992, following newly issued university regulations, the board of the School of Dental Medicine of the University of Geneva decided to establish a structured continuing education course programme for practising dentists in an effort to better meet the school's continuing education mandate. The programme started in January 1994 and was structured so that regular courses would be offered in each discipline of dentistry. The course contents were aimed at satisfying the demands of practising dentists, but it was also established that basic science issues and theoretical concepts should be included. Possible course formats were ,conference', ,hands-on', ,clinical' and ,seminar'. The courses were meant as a form of knowledge transfer from the school to the practising community, but also as a means to generate revenue for research and teaching programmes. Operative aspects were supervised by a small staff which was assisted by computer software designed to handle all procedural steps of course administration, participant registration, accounting, communication. The dentists' responses were rewarding in that attendance was very satisfactory. Closer scrutiny of our data, however, indicates that our impact is still low since at best only 20% of the course-hours required by the Swiss dental association are actually taken. Both course and programme evaluations were satisfactory and are discussed using the Harden and Laidlaw CRISIS criteria. [source] Analysis of the effects of Nyquist pulse-shaping on the performance of OFDM systems with carrier frequency offsetEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 1 2009Peng Tan An exact method for calculating the bit error rate (BER) of an uncoded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system with transmitter Nyquist pulse-shaping over AWGN channels in the presence of frequency offset is derived. This method represents a unified way to calculate the BER of this system with different one- and two-dimensional subcarrier modulation formats. The precise BER expressions are obtained using a characteristic function method. The effects of several widely referenced Nyquist pulse-shapings, including the Franks pulse, the raised-cosine pulse, the ,better than' raised-cosine (BTRC) pulse, the second-order continuous window (SOCW), the double-jump pulse and the polynomial pulse on intercarrier interference (ICI) reduction and BER improvement of the system with carrier frequency offset are examined in the AWGN channel. The dependence of the BER on the roll-off factor of the pulse employed for a specific system in the presence of frequency offset is investigated. Analysis and numerical results show that the Franks pulse exhibits the best performance among the Nyquist pulses considered in most cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Joint data detection and estimation of time-varying multipath rayleigh fading channels in asynchronous DS-CDMA systems with long spreading sequences,EUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 2 2007Pei Xiao In this paper, we present a joint approach to data detection and channel estimation for the asynchronous direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) systems employing orthogonal signaling formats and long scrambling codes. Our emphasis is placed on different channel estimation algorithms since the performance of a communication system depends largely on its ability to retrieve an accurate measurement of the underlying channel. We investigate channel estimation algorithms under different conditions. The estimated channel information is used to enable coherent data detection to combat the detrimental effect of the multiuser interference and the multipath propagation of the transmitted signal. In the considered multiuser detector, we mainly use interference cancellation techniques, which are suitable for long-code CDMA systems. Interference cancellation and channel estimation using soft estimates of the transmitted signal is also proposed in this paper. Different channel estimation schemes are evaluated and compared in terms of mean square error (MSE) of channel estimation and bit error rate (BER) performance. Based on our analysis and numerical results, some recommendations are made on how to choose appropriate channel estimators in practical systems. Copyright © 2006 AEIT [source] Acoustic microfluidic chip technology to facilitate automation of phage display selectionFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 22 2008Jonas Persson Modern tools in proteomics require access to large arrays of specific binders for use in multiplex array formats, such as microarrays, to decipher complex biological processes. Combinatorial protein libraries offer a solution to the generation of collections of specific binders, but unit operations in the process to isolate binders from such libraries must be automatable to ensure an efficient procedure. In the present study, we show how a microfluidic concept that utilizes particle separation in an acoustic force field can be used to efficiently separate antigen-bound from unbound members of such libraries in a continuous flow format. Such a technology has the hallmarks for incorporation in a fully automated selection system for the isolation of specific binders. [source] Alternatives to Mechanical Drills for the Early Stages of Language Practice in Foreign Language TextbooksFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 3 2005Article first published online: 31 DEC 200, Janice M. Aski Abstract: There is a growing body of research indicating that mechanical drills do not facilitate the development of explicit or implicit knowledge. This study identifies the inadequate aspects of mechanical drills and offers alternative activities for the early stages of language practice, whose formats and features comply with recent research in the learning and acquisition of foreign languages. Wong and VanPatten's (2003) referential structured input activities are suggested as substitutes to practice grammatical features that contribute meaningfully to the utterance. However, for allophonic or allomorphic alternations that are governed by the phonetic, stress, or grammatical context and that do not convey meaning, a new type of activity (form-form activities) is introduced, which promotes noticing by directing learners to actively operationalize their understanding of grammatical rules. Production activities for the later stages of practice are briefly discussed, and this study concludes with advice for instructors regarding their expectations of students' performance. [source] Computer-Assisted Reading: The Effect of Glossing Format on Comprehension and Vocabulary RetentionFOREIGN LANGUAGE ANNALS, Issue 2 2001Serafima Gettys Two glossing methods are compared. The first method provides readers with sentence-level translation equivalents of the second-language (L2) words. The second method connects the words with their meanings through basic dictionary forms. The main purpose of the study was to determine which of the two glossing formats is more beneficial for text comprehension and vocabulary retention. The results of the study show that retention of lexical items is better aided by reading the text with dictionary-form equivalents of the L2 words, because it involves a deeper level of cognitive processing. The situation is less clear-cut regarding the effect of the two glossing formats on global comprehension. The pedagogical implications of the data obtained are discussed. [source] It's not just what you do, it's the way that you do it: the effect of different payment card formats and survey administration on willingness to pay for health gainHEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2006Richard D. Smith Abstract A general population sample of 314 Australian respondents were randomly allocated to complete a contingent valuation survey administered by face-to-face or telephone (,phone-mail-phone') interview. Although the telephone interview was quicker to complete, no significant difference was found in values obtained through either method. Within each sub-sample, respondents were also randomly allocated to the three different versions of the payment card (PC) questionnaire format: values listed from high-to-low, values listed from low-to-high and values randomly shuffled. The high-to-low version resulted in significantly higher values than the other versions. Further analyses indicate that the randomly shuffled PC version may produce the most ,valid' values. 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