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Selected AbstractsDialysis adequacy and nutritional status of hemodialysis patientsHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2008Fernanda TEIXEIRA NUNES Abstract To characterize the nutritional status of renal failure patients and its relationship with hemodialysis adequacy measured by Kt/V, a study was carried out with a population of 44 adult patients with renal failure and mean age 51±15 years. Anthropometric data, such as dry weight, height, arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-arm muscle circumference, and body mass index were assessed, and biochemical tests were conducted for urea, potassium, creatinine, serum albumin, and phosphorus levels, in addition to hemogram and quarterly urea reduction rate average (Kt/V). In order to evaluate calorie intake, a dietary questionnaire on habitual daily food ingestion was administered, taking into consideration the hemodialysis date. The patients were divided into 2 separate groups for the statistical analysis, with 50% of the patients in each group: A (Kt/V<1.2) and B (Kt/V>1.2). The data were tabulated as mean and standard deviation, with differences tested by Student's t test. The correlations between variables were established by the coefficient p of Pearson. Most of the patients (43%) were considered eutrophic, based on the BMI, and presented inadequate calorie intake, corresponding to 88.5±24% (30.8 kcal/kg actual weight) of the total energy required and adequate protein intake, reaching 109.9±40% of the recommended daily allowance (1.24 g/kg of actual weight). There was a correlation of Kt/V with anthropometric parameters such as body mass index, arm circumference, and mid-arm muscle circumference. The biochemical parameters related to dialysis adequacy were albumin, ferritin, and urea (predialysis). Well-dialyzed patients presented better levels of serum albumin. There was an influence of gender and age on correlations of the analyzed variables. Female and younger patients presented better dialysis adequacy. The dialysis adequacy was related to the nutritional status and influenced by the protein intake and body composition. Gender and age had an important influence in the dialysis adequacy, as men presented lower dialysis adequacy and younger adults presented better dialysis adequacy. Further research is necessary to understand better how to facilitate effective and efficient techniques for the nutritional status assessment of hemodialysis patients. [source] Removal of organic contaminants in paper pulp effluents by AOPs: an economic studyJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Montserrat Pérez Abstract The degradation of the organic content of a bleaching Kraft mill effluent was carried out using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The study was focused on the identification of the AOP, or combination of AOPs, that showed the highest efficiency together with the lowest cost. Direct UV photolysis (UV), TiO2 assisted-photocatalysis (TiO2/UV), Fenton, Fenton-like, and photo-Fenton reactions (Fe(II)/H2O/UV), UV-assisted ozonation (O3/UV) and addition of Fe2+ and/or H2O2 to the TiO2/UV and the O3/UV systems, were used for the degradation of a conventional cellulose bleaching effluent. The effluent was characterized by the general parameters TOC, COD and color, and analyzed for chlorinated low molecular weight compounds using GC,MS. The costs of the systems per unit of TOC reduction were compared. Fenton, Fenton-like and photo-Fenton reactions achieved better levels of TOC degradation than photocatalysis and with lower cost's than photocatalytic treatments. Ozonation is an effective but rather expensive process. The use of UVA light, however, increased the effectiveness of ozonation with a significant decrease (>25%) in the operational cost. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] The effects of a transitional discharge model for psychiatric patientsJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 1 2004W. REYNOLDS phd mphil rn This pilot randomized control trial was motivated by the discovery that many individuals with mental health problems are re-hospitalized within a year, with many being unable to fully adjust to community living. A solution was proposed in the form of an intervention called transitional discharge. The transitional discharge model included: (1) peer support, which is assistance from former patients who provide friendship, understanding and encouragement; and (2) overlap of inpatient and community staff in which the inpatient staff continue to work with the discharged patient until a working relationship is established with a community care provider. The overall aim of this study was to test the discharge model designed to assist patients discharged from acute admission wards to adjust to community living. This aim was tested through a number of related hypotheses, which suggest that, 5 months following discharge from an acute admission ward of a psychiatric hospital, individuals participating in a transitional discharge model: (1) report fewer symptoms; (2) report better levels of functioning; (3) have better quality of life; (4) are less likely to have been re-admitted to hospital. The study used a randomized experimental design with two conditions: experimental and usual treatment. In general, both the control and the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in symptom severity and functional ability after 5 months. Usual treatment subjects in the control group were more than twice as likely to be re-admitted to hospital. This study needs to be replicated in Scotland with a larger sample and with a modified variation of the intervention called the Transitional Care Intervention. [source] Chartered Insurance Institute: influencing the course of industry changeJOURNAL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, Issue 3 2009Daniel Pedley The Chartered Insurance Institute's campaign to raise professionalism in financial advice is shaping the future of the industry. Our aim is to protect the public and ensure better levels of service by driving a step change in behaviour and professional standards. Success factors have included clear aims and objectives (concentrating on a single issue), the ability to build momentum for our proposals and sustaining interest, and developing an industry consensus in support of our proposals. The campaign has influenced the thinking of the regulator with them adopting our proposals around raising professionalism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pyramiding of genes conferring resistance to Tomato yellow leaf curl virus from different wild tomato speciesPLANT BREEDING, Issue 6 2008F. Vidavski Abstract Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production in tropical and subtropical regions of the world is limited by the endemic presence of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). Breeding programmes aimed at producing TYLCV-resistant tomato cultivars have utilized resistance sources derived from wild tomato species. So far, all reported breeding programmes have introgressed TYLCV resistance from a single wild tomato source. Here, we tested the hypothesis that pyramiding resistances from different wild tomato species might improve the degree of resistance of the domesticated tomato to TYLCV. We have crossed TYLCV-resistant lines that originated from different wild tomato progenitors, Solanum chilense, Solanum peruvianum, Solanum pimpinellifolium, and Solanum habrochaites. The various parental resistant lines and the F1 hybrids were inoculated in the greenhouse using viruliferous whiteflies. Control, non-inoculated plants of the same lines and hybrids were exposed to non-viruliferous whiteflies. Following inoculation, the plants were scored for disease symptom severity, and transplanted to the field. Resistance was assayed by comparing yield of inoculated plants to those of the control non-inoculated plants of the same variety. Results showed that the F1 hybrids between the resistant lines and the susceptible line suffered major yield reduction because of infection, but all hybrids were more resistant than the susceptible parent. All F1 hybrids resulting from a cross between two resistant parents, showed a relatively high level of resistance, which in most cases was similar to that displayed by the more resistant parent. In some cases, the hybrids displayed better levels of resistance than both parents, but the differences were not statistically significant. The F1 hybrid between a line with resistance from S. habrochaites and a line with resistance from S. peruvianum (HAB and 72-PER), exhibited the lowest yield loss and the mildest level of symptoms. Although the resistance level of this F1 hybrid was not statistically different from the level of resistance displayed by the 72-PER parent itself, it was statistically better than the level of resistance displayed by the F1 hybrids between 72-PER and any other resistant or susceptible line. [source] Validity and reliability of the guidelines of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe for the classification of cerebral palsyDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2008Mary Gainsborough MRCPCH The validity and reliability of the guidelines of the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) for the classification of cerebral palsy (CP) were tested by administering 10 written case vignettes via an interactive web-based link to 30 SCPE partners. There was a moderately good level of agreement (,=0.59) about inclusion as a CP case on the SCPE database. Classification by CP subtype differed in two main areas: assigning spastic versus dyskinetic and judgement of distribution of spastic involvement. Agreement on Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level was less good than reported in previous studies. Twenty respondents repeated the test 5 months later and there was good repeatability for case inclusion (,= 0.72) but considerable variation in assignment of CP subtype and GMFCS level. There is a need for further collaborative work and training to improve harmonization of the classification of CP, including examination, application of SCPE guidelines, and register coding. [source] The creation of an international audit and database of equine colic surgery: Survey of attitudes of surgeonsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008T. S. MAIR Summary Reasons for performing study: Currently, there is a lack of available evidence-based data concerning the optimum treatments for horses affected by different types of colic and this precludes the application of clinical audit in this area. In order to accumulate such data, a large-scale, multicentre database of the outcomes of colic surgery is proposed. The attitudes of surgeons is an important consideration in determining the feasibility of developing this database. Objectives: To assess attitudes and opinions of equine surgeons concerning clinical audit and to assess the perceived advantages and problems of setting up a large-scale international audit/database of colic surgery. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 30 equine surgeons (large animal/equine surgeons who are diplomates of either the American College of Veterinary Surgeons or the European College of Veterinary Surgeons). Questionnaires were sent by e-mail to 98 equine surgeons. Results: Face to face interviews were conducted (n = 30) and 43/98 completed questionnaires received (44%). The results of the 2 techniques were very similar. There was generally a high level of interest in the development of a large scale database of colic surgery, but perceived problems included time to collect and submit data, and confidentiality issues. A minority of surgeons reported that they were undertaking any form of specific monitoring of the results of colic surgery within their hospitals. Conclusions: There is a good level of interest among equine surgeons to develop a large scale database of colic surgery and most would be willing to contribute data from their own hospitals provided that data collection is quick and easy, and that confidentiality is maintained. Potential relevance: A large scale audit and database would provide relevant information to equine surgeons concerning the current success and complication rates of colic surgery. Such evidence-based data could be used in clinical audits within individual equine hospitals. The data would also be useful to identify trends within the discipline and could highlight areas that would benefit from active research. [source] Evaluation of Juglans species for resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi:,differences in isolate virulence and response to fosetyl-AlFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2009A. Belisario Summary Phytophthora is considered as an important pathogen on walnut, and severe losses are reported in European as well as in American walnut stands. Though several Phytophthora spp. are known to attack walnut, P. cinnamomi is considered the most virulent and widespread in southern Europe. Up to now, no walnut species or hybrid is known to have a high resistance level towards P. cinnamomi. Efforts are addressed in finding rootstock material graft compatible with English walnut and resistant/tolerant to P. cinnamomi. The extension of P. cinnamomi lesions on five Juglans species was studied to find out sources of resistance/tolerance to this pathogen. Walnut species clustered into two main groups, J. hindsii, J. nigra, and J. mandshurica were the less susceptible to the colonization of P. cinnamomi, while J. regia and J. sieboldiana were the most susceptible. On this account, J. mandshurica represents the best alternative as rootstock because its employment overcomes the risk of the occurrence of black line disease, it has good level of resistance to Agrobacterium temefaciens and Brenneria nigrifluens, and it is tolerant to Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis. J. mandshurica is also compatible in cross-pollinations with J. regia and J. nigra. Differences in virulence of P. cinnamomi isolates was assessed and a marked interaction between species and isolate emerged. Treatment with fosetyl-Al by dipping was mainly efficient in reducing the length P. cinnamomi lesions, and an interaction between species and treatment was evident with the highest efficacy on J. regia and J. sieboldiana. [source] Coupled Navier,Stokes,Molecular dynamics simulations using a multi-physics flow simulation frameworkINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 10 2010R. Steijl Abstract Simulation of nano-scale channel flows using a coupled Navier,Stokes/Molecular Dynamics (MD) method is presented. The flow cases serve as examples of the application of a multi-physics computational framework put forward in this work. The framework employs a set of (partially) overlapping sub-domains in which different levels of physical modelling are used to describe the flow. This way, numerical simulations based on the Navier,Stokes equations can be extended to flows in which the continuum and/or Newtonian flow assumptions break down in regions of the domain, by locally increasing the level of detail in the model. Then, the use of multiple levels of physical modelling can reduce the overall computational cost for a given level of fidelity. The present work describes the structure of a parallel computational framework for such simulations, including details of a Navier,Stokes/MD coupling, the convergence behaviour of coupled simulations as well as the parallel implementation. For the cases considered here, micro-scale MD problems are constructed to provide viscous stresses for the Navier,Stokes equations. The first problem is the planar Poiseuille flow, for which the viscous fluxes on each cell face in the finite-volume discretization are evaluated using MD. The second example deals with fully developed three-dimensional channel flow, with molecular level modelling of the shear stresses in a group of cells in the domain corners. An important aspect in using shear stresses evaluated with MD in Navier,Stokes simulations is the scatter in the data due to the sampling of a finite ensemble over a limited interval. In the coupled simulations, this prevents the convergence of the system in terms of the reduction of the norm of the residual vector of the finite-volume discretization of the macro-domain. Solutions to this problem are discussed in the present work, along with an analysis of the effect of number of realizations and sample duration. The averaging of the apparent viscosity for each cell face, i.e. the ratio of the shear stress predicted from MD and the imposed velocity gradient, over a number of macro-scale time steps is shown to be a simple but effective method to reach a good level of convergence of the coupled system. Finally, the parallel efficiency of the developed method is demonstrated. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Combined fair packet scheduling policy and multi-class adaptive CAC scheme for QoS provisioning in multimedia cellular networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 2 2006Tarek Bejaoui Abstract In this paper, we propose a combined multi-class adaptive connection admission control algorithm and a new fair packet scheduling policy, based on an enhanced weighted fair queuing algorithm. It takes into account a realistic behaviour of traffic while considering the spatial variation of the system characterizing both the user mobility and the signal propagation impairments due to the surrounding effects. The proposed allocation scheme provides enhanced traffic performance in heterogeneous environments and achieves a good level of capacity gain. The new adaptive quality of service (QoS) oriented connection admission control (CAC) function is proposed to meet the rapidly increasing demand for providing multimedia services with diversified quality requirements. It decides whether the connection request is to be admitted into the system, on the basis of the generated interference level and the waiting time before access. This CAC scheme, based on service class differentiation, aims at maximizing the use of available radio resource and meeting the QoS requirement of higher priority users as much as possible while maintaining the minimum requirements of lower priority users, especially when the system suffers from congestion. The results indicate that significantly increased traffic performance can be achieved in comparison with other conventional investigated policies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Implications of production sharing on exchange rate pass-throughINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE & ECONOMICS, Issue 4 2009Amit Ghosh Abstract This paper presents a theoretical model to analyse exchange rate pass-through when there is cross-border production sharing. With production sharing, between two nations, we have pass-through at two different levels, one at the level of the imported parts and components used in making the final good and the other at the level of the final good. We find the higher the pricing-to-market at the intermediate good level, the lower the pass-through for the final good. The model is further extended to analyse three-country production sharing, substitution between two alternate sources of imported inputs. Finally, we draw some policy implications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Mating disruption of codling moth Cydia pomonella with high densities of Ecodian sex pheromone dispensersJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2007G. Angeli Abstract: A mating disruption approach using high densities of pheromone dispensers, has recently been proposed for controlling codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lep., Tortricidae). Ecodian® CP dispensers, made of low-cost biodegradable material and easy to apply, were formulated with 10 mg of codlemone and placed at a rate of 1400,2000 dispensers/ha. Seasonal dispenser performance was evaluated using different methods. The release rate of new Ecodian dispensers, measured directly by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME), was significantly higher than that of the standard monitoring lure. The release rate of field-aged dispensers decreased over time; it was comparable with that of the standard monitoring lure after 55,90 days of field exposure and significantly lower beyond. Electroantennographic (EAG) recordings showed that field-aged dispensers strongly stimulated virgin male moths' antennae. Dispensers elicited close-range approaches in wind tunnel irrespective of their age. Traps baited with aged Ecodian CP dispensers captured males throughout the season. Our results demonstrate that Ecodian dispensers achieved a good level of activity and longevity over the season. Field trials carried out from 2002 to 2004 confirmed the efficacy of Ecodian CP dispensers for codling moth control, regardless of the size of the treated area. The potential of this strategy for the control of C. pomonella is discussed. [source] Consistency, context and confidence in judgements of affective communication in adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 1 2001J. Hogg Abstract Twenty-four service providers rated 12 video samples of four service users with whom they were familiar for affective behaviour (i.e. ,like'/,dislike') and confidence (i.e. ,certain'/'uncertain') in their judgement. Each video sample had been recorded as part of a stimulus preference assessment during which a wide range of specific stimuli were presented to each service user. Each video sample was presented twice in a counterbalanced design either with contextual information, i.e. what the presented stimulus was (C) or without such information, i.e. context free (CF). The observers showed considerable individual variation in their judgements, largely uninfluenced by the availability or otherwise of contextual information. However, as a group, observers significantly distinguished between video samples with regard to affective communication (determined through multiple analyses of variance) and the pattern of judgements, i.e. the relative judgement of positive or negative affect, from one sample to another. This showed a good level of consistency between observers (determined through principal components analysis). The impact of contextual information was not apparent for all video samples. However, contextual information significantly influenced judgements in four samples, typically making them more extreme; for example, a response indicative of positive affect in the CF situation became more positive when contextual information was provided, indicating that the stimulus was one that the participant was thought to like. [source] Changes in patients' need of nursing care reflected in the Zebra systemJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2002A.-K. Levenstam RN, MSc (business administration) During 1995,97, many head nurses stated that they had perceived an increase in patients' need of nursing care. A questionnaire was designed to determine the reasons for this. The purpose of the investigation was to answer two questions, ,What were the reasons for head nurses perception of an increase in patients need of nursing care from 1995 to May 1997?' and, ,Does patient classification in the Zebra system reflect the underlying changes in patients' need of nursing care? The results show that there are several reasons behind changes in the patients need of nursing care. The main reasons are a decreased general level of health among patients and that treatments are more time-consuming. After comparing statistics concerning patient classification with the answers received from the questionnaire, a good level of agreement could be seen in these. [source] Psychosocial Factors Affecting Adults With Intellectual Disabilities With Psychiatric Disorders in Cali, ColombiaJOURNAL OF POLICY AND PRACTICE IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2009Miguel Ángel Verdugo Abstract Increases in life expectancy have heightened concerns for people with intellectual disability (ID) who are growing old and who have be designated as "dually diagnosed",that is, who have, apart from their ID, a psychiatric disorder, and who because of this conjoint condition, are subjected to social exclusion due to three factors: old age, cognitive limitation, and mental illness. The objective of this study was to describe the psychosocial factors associated with the comorbidity between ID and psychiatric disorder of adults in the city of Cali, Colombia. Subjects were 50 dyads consisting of a carer and a person with ID. The Caregivers Questionnaire and the Integral Quality of Life Scale were adapted for use in the study. The analysis of information was based on three factors: person, family, and society. In the case of the personal factor, an adequate level of physical well-being and a good level of self-care were found in more than 60% of the adults with dual diagnosis, good adherence to treatment in 82%, and medium satisfaction in the individual-context relationship in 54%. With regard to the family factor, a high level of satisfaction of needs (84%) was found. Good family functioning was observed in 86%, while family participation in rehabilitation was reported to be between moderate and deficient in 60% of the cases. With respect to the social factor, cases of support between moderate and deficient were found in 68%, and a regular inclusion was observed in 48%. The authors conclude that the family functioning aspect appeared as the major protective factor, while the inclusion and social support were shown as the main risk factors. [source] Levels of empathy in undergraduate occupational therapy studentsOCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2010Ted Brown Abstract Empathy is an important attribute for occupational therapists in establishing rapport and in better understanding their clients. However, empathy can be compromised by high workloads, personal stressors and pressures to demonstrate efficacy. Occupational therapists also work with patients from a variety of diagnostic groups. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of empathy and attitudes towards clients amongst undergraduate occupational therapy students at one Australian University. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a written survey of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. Overall, a strong level of empathy was reported amongst students. Four medical conditions that occupational therapists work with (stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and depression) were held in high regard. Substance abuse, however, was held in comparatively low regard. Overall, the year of study appeared to have no significant impact on the students' empathy. Despite having a lower reported empathy level than found in health professions from other studies using the JSPE, occupational therapy students were found to have a good level of empathy. Of concern, however, was the bias reported against the medical condition of substance abuse, highlighting that the there may be a need to reinforce that patients from this diagnostic group are equally deserving of quality care irrespective of their clinical condition. Recommendations for future research include completing a longitudinal study of occupational therapy students' empathy levels and investigating the empathy levels of occupational therapists working with different client groups. Limitations of the study include the convenience sampling of occupational therapy students enrolled at one university which limits the generalizability of the results to groups of participants with similar characteristics. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Size and Structure Characterization of Dye Flocs during Coagulation of Reactive Black 5 DyePARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, Issue 2 2006Marta Janeczko Abstract This paper deals with results from laboratory scale experiments with model dye effluents comprising of the commercially used textile diazo dye, CI "Reactive Black 5", coagulated with ZETAG type primary coagulants. Size and structure analysis of flocs in coagulated dye sludge was undertaken in order to evaluate their separation abilities. The particle size distribution was estimated by use of a Galai CIS-100 particle counting system working on a time-of-transition principle, while their fractal dimension was obtained from laser scattering instrument in LALS mode. An image analysis of the flocculated dye-sludge has also been carried out. In parallel to the flocs characterization, the measurement of surface charge density of coagulated dye sludge was performed with the aim of linking surface charge data with the floc characteristics, and on this basis, to outline the predominant mechanism of color removal. It was found that flocs produced at optimal dosage are characterized by large sizes and a high value of fractal dimension, which is manifested in a very good level of color removal by sedimentation. The evident correlation between the surface charge density progression of coagulated dye flocs and color removal, suggests adsorption and charge neutralization as the predominant mechanism of dye destabilization. [source] Prediction of agrochemical residue data on fruit using an informatic system (PARDIS model)PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 10 2008Maura Calliera Abstract A ,step-by-step' method was used to develop a simplified procedure for calculating pesticide residue levels on fruit at harvest by considering the application of the compound and the relevant routes of loss. The model is applicable to cases where the most important exposure route is by direct spray to the canopy of the crop and where uptake into the plant by the roots can be disregarded. The exposure dose is calculated by considering the proportion of total crop cover represented by the fruits. The loss processes considered are photodegradation, uptake, volatilization and washoff. The outputs of the model were compared with measured residues of pesticides on pear. Analysis of the model fit demonstrates that the model predicted the measured data with a good level of accuracy for four of seven investigated pesticides. The predicted/observed quotients are close to 1, as is the modelling efficiency, and there are no great differences between the predicted and observed values. Taking into account the extreme simplicity of the model and the complexity of the environmental processes considered, these results encourage further research into the modelling of residue behaviour in food commodities. The objectives of this work were to produce a tool to predict pesticide residues in products of plant origin, to complement monitoring of pesticide levels and to be useful in evaluating the effect of government policies on food safety. All predicted values were below the maximum levels fixed for pesticide residues in pear, as amended in Council Directives 86/362/EEC and 90/642/EEC. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Molecular cytogenetic analysis of a durum wheat ×Thinopyrum distichum hybrid used as a new source of resistance to Fusarium head blight in the greenhousePLANT BREEDING, Issue 5 2001Q. Chen Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB, scab), caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, is a serious and damaging disease of wheat. Although some hexaploid wheat lines express a good level of resistance to FHB, the resistance available in hexaploid wheat has not yet been transferred to durum wheat. A germplasm collection of Triticum durum× alien hybrid lines was tested as a potential source of resistance to FHB under controlled conditions. Their FHB reaction was evaluated in three tests against conidial suspensions of three strains of F. graminearum at the flowering stage. Two T. durum×Thinopyrum distichum hybrid lines, ,AFR4' and ,AFR5,, expressed a significantly higher level of resistance to the spread of FHB than other durum-alien hybrid lines and a resistant common wheat line ,Nyu-Bay'. Genomic in situ hybridization using total genomic DNA from alien grass species demonstrated that ,AFR5' had 13 or 14 alien genome chromosomes plus 27 or 28 wheat chromosomes, while ,AFR4' had 22 alien genome and 28 wheat chromosomes. All of the alien chromosomes present in these two lines belonged to the J genome. ,AFR5' is likely to be more useful as a source of FHB resistance than ,AFR4' because of its relatively normal meiotic behaviour, high fertility and fewer number of alien chromosomes. ,AFR5' shows good potential as a source for transferring FHB resistance gene into wheat. The development of T. durum addition lines carrying resistance genes from ,AFR5' is underway. [source] Expression of resistance to Leptosphaeria maculans in Brassica napus double haploid lines in France and Australia is influenced by locationANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008R. Delourme Abstract Blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans, is a major disease of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), worldwide, including Australia and France. The aims of these studies were first, to determine if higher levels of resistance to L. maculans could be generated in double haploid (DH) lines derived from spring-type B. napus cv. Grouse, which has a good level of field resistance to blackleg; and second, to determine whether the resistance to blackleg disease of individual DH lines responds differentially to different L. maculans field populations within and between the two countries. DH lines were extracted from cv. Grouse and tested in field experiments carried out in both France and Australia against natural L. maculans populations. Extracting and screening DH lines were an effective means to select individual lines with greatly improved expression of resistance to blackleg crown canker disease in comparison with the original parental population. However, relative disease resistance rankings for DH lines were not always consistent between sites. The higher level of resistance in France was shown to be because of a high expression level of quantitative resistance in the French growing conditions. Big differences were observed for some DH lines between the 2004 and the 2005 field sites in Australia where the L. maculans populations differed by their virulence on single dominant gene-based resistant lines derived from Brassica rapa ssp. sylvestris. This differential behaviour could not be clearly explained by the specific resistance genes until now identified in these DH lines. This investigation highlights the potential to derive DH lines with superior levels of resistance to L. maculans compared with parental populations. However, in locations with particularly high pathogen diversity, such as in southern Australia, multiyear and multisite evaluations should be performed to screen for the most efficient material in different situations. [source] Structure of native laccase from Trametes hirsuta at 1.8,Å resolutionACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 6 2009Konstantin M. Polyakov This paper describes the structural analysis of the native form of laccase from Trametes hirsuta at 1.8,Å resolution. This structure provides a basis for the elucidation of the mechanism of catalytic action of these ubiquitous proteins. The 1.8,Å resolution native structure provided a good level of structural detail compared with many previously reported laccase structures. A brief comparison with the active sites of other laccases is given. [source] Report on the implementation and evaluation of an interprofessional learning programme for inter-agency child protection teamsCHILD ABUSE REVIEW, Issue 3 2009Alison Watkin Abstract Effective collaborative working between the different professions and agencies working to safeguard children is essential. Lack of knowledge of others' roles, perceived differences in status and expertise, and negative stereotypes are examples of why this can be difficult to achieve. A facilitated interprofessional learning (IPL) programme was implemented to assess if such an intervention could overcome some of the barriers to effective interprofessional and inter-agency team working. Six teams based in primary and secondary care trusts took part with participants from health, education, police and social services. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from individual participants using a pre-validated team climate inventory and reflective statements. Findings from this study demonstrate statistically significant changes in five out of six categories in the inventory. Reflective statements suggested that overall the programme offered a positive learning experience at both an individual and team level. The importance of outside facilitation to maintain the team's momentum was acknowledged, as was the difficulty of maintaining a good level of activity once the programme had ended. Nevertheless, the IPL programme provided a timely opportunity to reflect upon the interprofessional and inter-agency team working needed within Children's Trusts and the implications for staff involved with regard to skills development. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modification of a vinylsulphone reactive dye using diethanolamine- O -disulphateCOLORATION TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2005D M Lewis The ,-sulphatoethylsulphone dye, Remazol Orange 3R, was converted to its vinylsulphone form and then reacted with diethanolamine- O -disulphate (DES) to produce a new type of reactive dye carrying pendent amino-di(ethyl- O -sulphate) groups. Application of the latter dye to cotton, using the pad,dry,steam process in the presence of alkali, resulted in a good level of dye,fibre covalent fixation. It had been expected that the sulphate ester would react by nucleophilic substitution to give bifunctional covalent attachment of the dye to cotton. It was shown, however, that an intermediate dye containing an aziridine residue was produced, which under hot alkaline conditions was converted by ,-elimination to the vinylsulphone dye, and it was in this form that reaction with cotton took place. [source] Poverty and Neo-Liberal Bias in the Middle East and North AfricaDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 4 2004Ray Bush This article examines the definition of poverty and the evidential base for the claims that the region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has historically low levels of poverty and relatively good levels of income distribution. It argues that the dominant trend in the literature on poverty in the global south in general, and in MENA in particular, has a neo-classical bias. Amongst other things, that bias fails to understand that poverty does not emerge because of exclusion but because of poor people's ,differential incorporation' into economic and political processes. It also raises the question: if the MENA has indeed had relatively low levels of poverty and good income distribution, does this complicate the issue of autocracy and the western drive to remove political ,backwardness' in the region? In particular, the characterization of autocracy and the west's attempt to promote political liberalization is likely to impact adversely on the social contract that autocratic rulers have enforced regarding the delivery of basic services. [source] Optimizing triage consistency in Australian emergency departments: The Emergency Triage Education KitEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 3 2008Marie Frances Gerdtz Abstract Objective: The Emergency Triage Education Kit was designed to optimize consistency of triage using the Australasian Triage Scale. The present study was conducted to determine the interrater reliability of a set of scenarios for inclusion in the programme. Methods: A postal survey of 237 paper-based triage scenarios was utilized. A quota sample of triage nurses (n = 42) rated each scenario using the Australasian Triage Scale. The scenarios were analysed for concordance and agreement. The criterion for inclusion of the scenarios in the programme was , , 0.6. Results: Data were collected during 2 April to 14 May 2007. Agreement for the set was , = 0.412 (95% CI 0.410,0.415). Of the initial set: 92/237 (38.8%, 95% CI 32.6,45.3) showed concordance ,70% to the modal triage category (, = 0.632, 95% CI 0.629,0.636) and 155/237 (65.4%, 95% CI 59.3,71.5) showed concordance ,60% to the modal triage category (, = 0.507, 95% CI 0.504,0.510). Scenarios involving mental health and pregnancy presentations showed lower levels of agreement (, = 0.243, 95% CI 0.237,0.249; , = 0.319, 95% CI 0.310,0.328). Conclusion: All scenarios that showed good levels of agreement have been included in the Emergency Triage Education Kit and are recommended for testing purposes; those that showed moderate agreement have been incorporated for teaching purposes. Both scenario sets are accompanied by explanatory notes that link the decision outcome to the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine Guidelines on the Implementation of the Australasian Triage Scale. Future analysis of the scenarios is required to identify how task-related factors influence consistency of triage. [source] Enantioselective CpRu-Catalyzed Carroll Rearrangement , Ligand and Metal Source ImportanceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 34 2008David Linder Abstract The addition of unstabilized carbonyl nucleophiles to unsymmetrical allyl-metal fragments still represents a challenge to generate stereogenic centers enantio- and regioselectively. In this context, the decarboxylative Carroll rearrangement of allyl ,-keto esters is particularly interesting, since chiral ,,,-unsaturated ketones are obtained. Herein, we show that CpRu half-sandwich complexes can, with selected enantiopure pyridine-monooxazoline ligands, catalyze this transformation and afford complete conversions along with good levels of regioselectivity and enantioselectivity. Even more challenging (electron-poor) substrates react (up to 86,% ee, branched/linear ratio , 97:03). In addition, the use of an air-stable metal precursor, namely [CpRu(,6 -naphthalene)][PF6], allows the reaction to be carried out reproducibly evenin non-anhydrous THF with a catalyst loading as low as2 mol-%. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008) [source] Smoking after the age of 65 years: a qualitative exploration of older current and former smokers' views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and servicesHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 6 2006Susan Kerr BA MSc PhD RN HV Abstract The aim of this study was to explore older current/former smokers' views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and services. Despite the fact that older smokers have been identified as a priority group, there is currently a dearth of age-related smoking cessation research to guide practice. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used the health belief model as a conceptual framework. Twenty current and former smokers aged , 65 years were recruited through general practices and a forum for older adults in the West of Scotland. Data were collected using a semistructured interview schedule. The audio-taped interviews were transcribed and then analysed using content analysis procedures. Current smokers reported many positive associations with smoking, which often prevented a smoking cessation attempt. The majority were aware that smoking had damaged their health; however, some were not convinced of the association. A common view was that ,the damage was done', and therefore, there was little point in attempting to stop smoking. When suggesting a cessation attempt, while some health professionals provided good levels of support, others were reported as providing very little. Some of the participants reported that they had never been advised to stop smoking. Knowledge of local smoking cessation services was generally poor. Finally, concern was voiced regarding the perceived health risks of using nicotine replacement therapy. The main reasons why the former smokers had stopped smoking were health-related. Many had received little help and support from health professionals when attempting to stop smoking. Most of the former smokers believed that stopping smoking in later life had been beneficial to their health. In conclusion, members of the primary care team have a key role to play in encouraging older people to stop smoking. In order to function effectively, it is essential that they take account of older smokers' health beliefs and that issues, such as knowledge of smoking cessation resources, are addressed. [source] Analysis of interobserver scoring patterns in porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitaliaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Keith P. Jacobi Abstract The role of scoring standards has become increasingly important during the last ten years because of issues such as reburial and comparability of data among researchers. The present study considered the efficacy of a proposed standard for porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia, two of the most commonly evaluated pathologies in skeletal analysis. Twenty scorers with varying experience in bioarchaeology and five scorers with no experience in bioarchaeology evaluated 21 partial skulls for three characteristics: presence of pathology, appearance of porosities, and degree of healing. Participants showed good levels of agreement (>80%) when a lesion was considered present, but most scorers never agreed that a specimen was free of pathology when, in fact, it was. Greater variation was seen in evaluation of porosity size among those cranial fragments with lesions. Determination of degree of healing showed even more diversity with 19 of 21 cases having all scoring options given. Level of experience did not appear to make a difference with respect to level of agreement. Virtually the same pattern of results was seen among the five individuals with no familiarity with porotic hyperostosis or cribra orbitalia but with some biological training. These findings suggest that further refinement, especially in the area of photographs and descriptions illustrating minimum and maximum representations of various scoring levels, are necessary to produce scoring standards for porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia that are effective and reliable. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Mediated Enantioselective Addition of Phenols to Unsymmetrical AlkylarylketenesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 17 2009Carmen Concellón Abstract Chiral N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) mediate the enantioselective addition of 2-phenylphenol to unsymmetrical alkylarylketenes, delivering ,-alkyl-,-arylacetic acid derivatives with good levels of enantiocontrol (up to 84% ee). Enantiodivergent stereochemical outcomes are observed using 2-phenylphenol and benzhydrol in the NHC-promoted esterification reaction using a triazolium precatalyst derived from pyroglutamic acid, consistent with distinct mechanistic pathways operating within these processes. [source] QSAR model for alignment-free prediction of human breast cancer biomarkers based on electrostatic potentials of protein pseudofolding HP-lattice networksJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 16 2008Santiago Vilar Abstract Network theory allows relationships to be established between numerical parameters that describe the molecular structure of genes and proteins and their biological properties. These models can be considered as quantitative structure,activity relationships (QSAR) for biopolymers. The work described here concerns the first QSAR model for 122 proteins that are associated with human breast cancer (HBC), as identified experimentally by Sjöblom et al. (Science 2006, 314, 268) from over 10,000 human proteins. In this study, the 122 proteins related to HBC (HBCp) and a control group of 200 proteins that are not related to HBC (non-HBCp) were forced to fold in an HP lattice network. From these networks a series of electrostatic potential parameters (,k) was calculated to describe each protein numerically. The use of ,k as an entry point to linear discriminant analysis led to a QSAR model to discriminate between HBCp and non-HBCp, and this model could help to predict the involvement of a certain gene and/or protein in HBC. In addition, validation procedures were carried out on the model and these included an external prediction series and evaluation of an additional series of 1000 non-HBCp. In all cases good levels of classification were obtained with values above 80%. This study represents the first example of a QSAR model for the computational chemistry inspired search of potential HBC protein biomarkers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2008 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||