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Better Way (good + way)
Selected AbstractsVideo versus traditional informed consent for neonatal circumcisionACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2010Caroline J Chantry Abstract Aim:, To determine if videotapes about newborn circumcision would be superior to traditional physician ,informed consent' discussion for maternal knowledge, satisfaction and perception of provider bias. Design/methods:, A convenience sample of mothers interested in or undecided about circumcision was randomized to watch a video on: (i) circumcision risks/benefits (,Video-Plus' n = 168); or (ii) unrelated material followed by traditional physician risk/benefit discussion (,Standard-MD' n = 136). Questionnaires were administered during hospitalization and subsequent telephone interviews. Statistical differences were analysed by chi-square and Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results:, Most mothers (82%) decided about circumcision prenatally. Fewer mothers perceived bias from the video vs. physicians [1.1% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.04]. Composite knowledge (correct of 10 answers) [ (SD) 6.5 (2.1) vs. 6.4 (2.1), p = 0.78] or satisfaction [5-point Likert scale, 3.98 (1.50) vs. 3.75 (1.58), p = 0.16] did not differ by group, although more highly educated mothers preferred the video [satisfaction 4.08 (1.01) vs. 2.63 (0.99), p = 0.04]. Significant knowledge gaps existed in both groups. Conclusion:, In this setting, no difference in maternal knowledge was found between ,Video-Plus' and traditional informed consent although more highly educated mothers preferred the video. Better ways to achieve understanding of risks and benefits for this elective procedure should be sought. [source] It's Not What Design Is, It's What Design DoesDESIGN MANAGEMENT REVIEW, Issue 4 2009Pradeep Sharma Sometimes, it's easier for small and medium-size enterprises to make greater use of design in their operations than it is for larger organizations,they may be nimbler than their large competitors and often hope to find a better way to grow and transform their businesses. As evidence, these authors point to several New Zealand companies that are making a "designful" end run around the competition. [source] The Future of Search: A Different PerspectiveDESIGN MANAGEMENT REVIEW, Issue 1 2009Stephen P. Anderson Vice President The mission at Viewzi is to dramatically improve the search experience. But, as Stephen Anderson explains, that doesn't mean developing a better search engine; rather, it means developing a better way to view search results. The results are a series of custom-tailored scenes whose look and feel change depending on the intent of the search. It's an impressive innovation that promises to reshape the Internet landscape. [source] Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) 30 years later: still the best option for insulin therapyDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 2 2009Daniela Bruttomesso Abstract Thirty years after its introduction, the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) keeps increasing, especially among children and adolescents. The technique, when used properly, is safe and effective. Compared with traditional NPH-based multiple daily injections (MDI), CSII provides a small but clinically important reduction of HbA1c levels, diminishes blood glucose variability, decreases severe hypoglycaemic episodes and offers a better way to cope with the dawn phenomenon. Insulin analogues have improved the treatment of diabetes, eroding part of the place previously occupied by CSII, but CSII still remains the first option for patients experiencing severe hypoglycaemic episodes, high HbA1c values or marked glucose variability while being treated with optimized MDI. Furthermore CSII is better than MDI considering the effects on quality of life and the possibility to adjust insulin administration according to physical activity or food intake. CSII may be limited by cost. Present estimates suggest that CSII may be cost-effective just for patients experiencing a marked improvement in HbA1c or a decrease in severe hypoglycaemic episodes, but the effects on quality of life are difficult to measure. CSII does not merely imply wearing an external device; it requires a multidisciplinary team, intensive patient education and continuous follow up. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Alcohol policy in South Africa: a review of policy development processes between 1994 and 2009ADDICTION, Issue 8 2010Charles D. H. Parry ABSTRACT Background Implementation of effective policies to reduce harmful alcohol consumption requires both a good understanding of the policy development process and which strategies are likely to work. Aims To contribute to this understanding by reviewing four specific policy development initiatives that have taken place in South Africa between 1994 and 2009: restrictions on alcohol advertising and counter-advertising, regulation of retail sales of alcohol, alcohol taxation and controls on alcohol packaging. Methods Material was drawn from a record of meetings and conferences held between 1994 and 2009 and a database of reports, newspaper clippings and policy documentation. Findings When the policy process resulted in a concrete outcome there was always a clear recognition of the problem and policy alternatives, but success was more likely if there was an alignment of ,political' forces and/or when there was a determined bureaucracy. The impact of the other factors such as the media, community mobilization, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the liquor industry and research are also discussed. Future avenues for policy research are identified, including the need for more systematic studies that give greater consideration to economic factors. Conclusions Alcohol policy development in South Africa takes place in a piecemeal fashion and is the product of various competing influences. Having a comprehensive national alcohol strategy cutting across different sectors may be a better way for other developing countries to proceed. [source] Intrinsic properties of human and murine memory B cellsIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2006Shannon M. Anderson Summary:, The central question of how the immune system responds in a qualitatively and quantitatively better way upon re-exposure to a pathogen is largely unanswered. Both the increased frequency of antigen-specific memory cells and the intrinsic properties that memory cells acquire after antigen experience could contribute to the faster and more robust responses seen after repeated exposure to antigen. In the case of the memory B-cell response, it has been difficult to discern the individual contributions of these two effects. However, because of recent advances in identifying memory B cells, there is an increasing understanding of the intrinsic properties of these cells. The current insights into the unique properties of memory B cells and the progress that has been made in understanding how these affect secondary responses in both the human and the mouse systems are discussed. In addition, we compare the various advantages and disadvantages inherent in each of these systems, in terms of studying the intrinsic properties of memory B cells, and introduce the details of the system that we have developed using conventional heavy chain transgenic (Tgic) mice, which addresses some of the drawbacks of traditional memory models. [source] Effect of pressure and temperature on cluster and particle heat transfer in a pressurized circulating fluidized bedINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 14 2001B. V. Reddy Abstract The present work reports the influence of pressure and bed temperature on particle-to-wall heat transfer in a pressurized circulating fluidized bed (PCFB). The particle convection heat transfer plays a dominant role in determining the bed-to-wall heat transfer coefficient. So far, no information is reported on the effect of pressure and bed temperature on particle-to-wall heat transfer in a PCFB in the published literature. The present investigation reports some information in this direction. The effect of system pressure and bed temperature are investigated to study their influence on cluster and particle heat transfer. The particle convection heat transfer coefficient increases with system pressure and bed temperature due to higher cluster thermal conductivity. The increase in particle concentration (suspension density) results in greater cluster solid fraction and also the particle concentration near the wall is enhanced. This results in higher cluster and particle convection heat transfer between the bed and the wall. Higher particle convection heat transfer coefficient results in enhanced heat transfer between the bed and the wall. The results will also help to understand the bed-to-wall heat transfer mechanism in a better way in a PCFB. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Molecular dynamics of phase transitions in clusters of alkali halidesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2001Pedro C. R. Rodrigues Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations of unconstrained alkali halide clusters with 8, 64, 216, 512, 1000, 1728, 2744, 4096, 5832, and 8000 ions have been carried out using the Born,Mayer,Huggins potential. All the clusters exhibit first-order melting and freezing transitions. The melting temperature increases with the number of ions and approaches the melting temperature of the bulk. Clusters with a number of ions less than approximately 1000 present hysteresis cycles and practically do not have phase coexistence. Clusters with a number of ions over 1000 present phase coexistence during a significant part of the transition region and hysteresis is progressively eliminated as the clusters size increases. It is suggested that hysteresis is an intrinsic characteristic of small clusters. In the transition regions the calculations have been performed by fixing the total energy of the clusters. It is shown that such a technique provides a better way of analyzing the transition mechanism than the usual procedure of fixing the temperature by ad hoc rescaling the velocities or by using canonical molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo. A detailed analysis of the melting transition is presented. The effects of interfaces and impurities are discussed. A method based on the velocity autocorrelation functions is proposed, in order to determine the molar fraction of the ions present in the solid and liquid phases as well as to produce colored snapshots of the phases in coexistence. The overall agreement of the estimated melting points and enthalpies of melting with the experiment is fairly good. The estimated melting point and enthalpy of melting for KCl in particular are in excellent agreement with the experimental values. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 84: 169,180, 2001 [source] Chinese values, health and nursingJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2001Yu-chih Chen PhD RN Chinese values, health and nursing Purpose.,To describe the roots of Chinese values, beliefs and the concept of health, and to illustrate how these ways have influenced the development of health care and nursing among Chinese in the Republic of China (ROC) and the People's Republic of China (PRC). Scope.,Based on the literature and direct observation in the PRC and ROC, this is an introduction to Chinese philosophies, religion, basic beliefs, and values with a special meaning for health and nursing. Chinese philosophies and religion include Confucian principles, Taoism, theory of ,Yin' and ,Yang', and Buddhism. Beliefs and values include the way of education, practice of acupuncture, herbal treatments and diet therapy. How people value traditional Chinese medicine in combination with western science, and the future direction of nursing and nursing inquiry are also briefly addressed. Conclusion.,Chinese philosophies and religions strongly influence the Chinese way of living and thinking about health and health care. Nurses must combine information about culture with clinical assessment of the patient to provide cultural sensitive care. A better way may be to combine both western and Chinese values into the Chinese health care system by negotiating between the traditional values while at the same time, respecting an individual's choice. The foundation of China's philosophical and aesthetic tradition, in combination with western science is important to the future advancement of nursing research that will be beneficial to the Republics, Asia, and the world. [source] Structure,hepatoprotective activity relationship of 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid) derivativesJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 6 2001V. Pérez-Alvarez Abstract 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid (caffeic acid, CAF) is a natural product containing a catechol group with an ,,,-unsaturated carboxylic acid chain that has shown hepatoprotective properties. The aim of this work was to determine the importance of the 4-hydroxy, 3-hydroxy, 3,4-dihydroxy substituents and the double bond moiety on the hepatic pharmacological effects of the molecule. We compared the ability of the caffeic, 4-hydroxycinnamic, 3-hydroxycinnamic, cinnamic and 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic (a caffeic acid analogue without the double bond) acids at a dose of 50 mg kg,1, p.o., to reduce the liver damage produced by CCl4 (4 g kg,1, p.o.) intoxication in the rat. Cinnamic acid, the non-hydroxylated analogue, only modestly protected the experimental animals challenged with CCl4, suggesting that hydroxyl groups participate in the pharmacological properties of CAF. The 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic derivative did not show any significant differences when compared with the CAF effect in this model, suggesting that the double bond does not account for the liver pharmacological properties of CAF. In contrast, the 4-hydroxy substituent seems to be very important for hepatoprotective activity because the 4-hydroxy analogue improved almost every hepatic injury marker altered by CCl4, and in a better way than CAF did. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comparison of linear-scaling semiempirical methods and combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methods for enzymic reactions.JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2002Abstract QM/MM methods have been developed as a computationally feasible solution to QM simulation of chemical processes, such as enzyme-catalyzed reactions, within a more approximate MM representation of the condensed-phase environment. However, there has been no independent method for checking the quality of this representation, especially for highly nonisotropic protein environments such as those surrounding enzyme active sites. Hence, the validity of QM/MM methods is largely untested. Here we use the possibility of performing all-QM calculations at the semiempirical PM3 level with a linear-scaling method (MOZYME) to assess the performance of a QM/MM method (PM3/AMBER94 force field). Using two model pathways for the hydride-ion transfer reaction of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase studied previously (Titmuss et al., Chem Phys Lett 2000, 320, 169,176), we have analyzed the reaction energy contributions (QM, QM/MM, and MM) from the QM/MM results and compared them with analogous-region components calculated via an energy partitioning scheme implemented into MOZYME. This analysis further divided the MOZYME components into Coulomb, resonance and exchange energy terms. For the model in which the MM coordinates are kept fixed during the reaction, we find that the MOZYME and QM/MM total energy profiles agree very well, but that there are significant differences in the energy components. Most significantly there is a large change (,16 kcal/mol) in the MOZYME MM component due to polarization of the MM region surrounding the active site, and which arises mostly from MM atoms close to (<10 Ĺ) the active-site QM region, which is not modelled explicitly by our QM/MM method. However, for the model where the MM coordinates are allowed to vary during the reaction, we find large differences in the MOZYME and QM/MM total energy profiles, with a discrepancy of 52 kcal/mol between the relative reaction (product,reactant) energies. This is largely due to a difference in the MM energies of 58 kcal/mol, of which we can attribute ,40 kcal/mol to geometry effects in the MM region and the remainder, as before, to MM region polarization. Contrary to the fixed-geometry model, there is no correlation of the MM energy changes with distance from the QM region, nor are they contributed by only a few residues. Overall, the results suggest that merely extending the size of the QM region in the QM/MM calculation is not a universal solution to the MOZYME- and QM/MM-method differences. They also suggest that attaching physical significance to MOZYME Coulomb, resonance and exchange components is problematic. Although we conclude that it would be possible to reparameterize the QM/MM force field to reproduce MOZYME energies, a better way to account for both the effects of the protein environment and known deficiencies in semiempirical methods would be to parameterize the force field based on data from DFT or ab initio QM linear-scaling calculations. Such a force field could be used efficiently in MD simulations to calculate free energies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1314,1322, 2002 [source] Digital analysis: A better way to detect fraudJOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 4 2007James A. Tackett The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) has put corporate executives under the gun when it comes to detecting financial statement fraud. Unfortunately, most methods for discovering fraud are expensive and time-consuming. But there is one fast, inexpensive method you may not be using: digital analysis. The author explains what it is and how to use it. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The National Sexual Assault Database: Can It Help You?JOURNAL OF FORENSIC NURSING, Issue 1 2005Linda E. Ledray PhD, SANE-A When we take the time and effort to question long held beliefs, we often find a better way Of providing care to rape survivors. [source] Managing risk through a flexible recipe frameworkAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2008Sergio Ferrer-Nadal Abstract A novel approach is proposed that exploits the use of a flexible recipe framework as a better way to handle the risk associated with the scheduling under uncertainty of batch chemical plants. The proposed solution strategy relies on a novel two-stage stochastic formulation that explicitly includes the trade-off between risk and profit at the decision-making level. The model uses a continuous-time domain representation and the generalized notion of precedence. Management of risk is explicitly addressed by including a control measure (i.e., the profit in the worst scenario), as an additional objective to be considered, thus, leading to a multiobjective optimization problem. To overcome the numerical difficulties associated with such mathematical formulation, a decomposition strategy based on the sample average approximation (SAA) is introduced. The main advantages of this approach are illustrated through a case study, in which a set of solutions appealing to decision makers with different attitudes toward risk are obtained. The potential benefits of the proposed flexible recipe framework as a way of managing the risk associated with the plant operation under demand uncertainty are highlighted through comparison with the conventional approach that considers nominal operating conditions. Numerical results corroborate the advantages of exploiting the capabilities of the proposed flexible recipe framework for risk management purposes. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008 [source] Novel Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Assessment of Overactive Bladder: Urinary Nerve Growth Factor and Detrusor Wall ThicknessLUTS, Issue 2009Hann-Chorng KUO Clinical diagnosis of overactive bladder (OAB) varies greatly and is based on subjective symptoms. A better way to diagnose and assess therapeutic outcome in patients who present with OAB needs to be developed. Evidence has shown that urinary proteins, such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels increase in patients with OAB, bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor overactivity (DO). Urinary NGF level increases physiologically in normal subjects at urge to void, but increases pathologically in OAB patients at small bladder volume and at urgency sensation. Patients with OAB dry and OAB wet have significantly higher urinary NGF levels compared to controls and patients with increased bladder sensation. Urinary NGF levels decrease after antimuscarinic therapy and further decrease after detrusor botulinum toxin injections in refractory OAB. A higher urinary NGF level could be a biomarker for sensory nerve-mediated DO. Urinary NGF levels could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of OAB and serve for the assessment of the therapeutic effect of antimuscarinic therapy. Another potential biomarker for the diagnosis of OAB is detrusor wall thickness. It has been hypothesized that the bladder wall increases in thickness in patients with OAB. The thickened detrusor wall might decrease in response to antimuscarinic treatment, and measurement of detrusor wall thickness might be a useful biomarker for the evaluation of OAB. However, current investigations do not yet provide a uniform observation among various studies. [source] Genetic or chemical protease inhibition causes significant changes in the Bacillus subtilis exoproteomePROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 13 2008Lidia Westers Abstract Bacillus subtilis is a prolific producer of enzymes and biopharmaceuticals. However, the susceptibility of heterologous proteins to degradation by (extracellular) proteases is a major limitation for use of B. subtilis as a protein cell factory. An increase in protein production levels has previously been achieved by using either protease-deficient strains or addition of protease inhibitors to B. subtilis cultures. Notably, the effects of genetic and chemical inhibition of proteases have thus far not been compared in a systematic way. In the present studies, we therefore compared the exoproteomes of cells in which extracellular proteases were genetically or chemically inactivated. The results show substantial differences in the relative abundance of various extracellular proteins. Furthermore, a comparison of the effects of genetic and/or chemical protease inhibition on the stress response triggered by (over) production of secreted proteins showed that chemical protease inhibition provoked a genuine secretion stress response. From a physiological point of view, this suggests that the deletion of protease genes is a better way to prevent product degradation than the use of protease inhibitors. Importantly however, studies with human interleukin-3 show that chemical protease inhibition can result in improved production of protease-sensitive secreted proteins even in mutant strains lacking eight extracellular proteases. [source] Integrating technology readiness into technology acceptance: The TRAM modelPSYCHOLOGY & MARKETING, Issue 7 2007Chien-Hsin Lin Based on previous theoretical streams, the present study integrates technology readiness (TR) into the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the context of consumer adoption of e-service systems, and theorizes that the impact of TR on use intention is completely mediated by both perceptions of usefulness and ease of use. TAM was originally developed to predict people's technology-adopting behavior at work environments, but this research stemmed from a questioning of its applicability in marketing (i.e., non-work) settings. The differences between the two settings are exhibited by consumers' self-determining selection behavior and their high involvement in the e-service creation and delivery process. This paper first reviews the TAM and the construct of technology readiness, and then proposes and empirically tests an integrated Technology Readiness and Acceptance Model (TRAM) to augment TAM by taking technology readiness construct into the realm of consumers' adoption of innovations. The results indicate that TRAM substantially broadens the applicability and the explanatory power of either of the prior models and may be a better way to gauge technology adoption in situations where adoption is not mandated by organizational objectives. Further, theoretical and practical implications and future research directions are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Epitaph for the Lone Ranger, MD: Adapting continuing medical education to the twenty-first centuryTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue S1 2004Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mark D. Smith MD, MBA President Abstract Continuing medical education (CME) is plagued by outdated ideas about how physicians should use information in treating their patients. To maintain relevance, CME programs must develop a new approach to teaching that acknowledges the realities of twenty-first century health care and offers physicians a better way to learn. [source] Investigation of mineral composition of oil shaleASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Dong-Mei Wang Abstract The aim of this paper is to identify the mineral composition of oil shale from different locations and relate it to their interval of occurrence. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transforms spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used for this invetigation. Hydrogen peroxide was used as the oxidant to eliminate the influence of organic matter in TGA. DRIFTS results indicated that most of the kerogen is in aliphatic hydrocarbon form and the peak of hydrocarbon nearly disappeared after oxidation. XRD results indicated that quartz, muscovite, kaolinite and calcite are the dominant minerals. Longkou and Changchun oil shale samples contain high percentage of calcite (12.9 and 11.7% CO2 respectively) while Fushun and Huadian oil shale samples contain less than 6% CO2. Especially, in Fushun oil shale sample, the content is below 3%. Kaolinite is found in Fushun oil shale sample, while muscovite is only found in Huadian oil shale sample. Integration of the XRD, DRIFTS and TGA results of the oil shale samples from different locations has provided a better way of mineral composition identification. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Using ARX and NARX approaches for modeling and prediction of the process behavior: application to a reactor-exchangerASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2008Yahya Chetouani Abstract Chemical industries are characterized often by nonlinear processes. Therefore, it is often difficult to obtain nonlinear models that accurately describe a plant in all regimes. The main contribution of this work is to establish a reliable model of a process behavior. The use of this model should reflect the normal behavior of the process and allow distinguishing it from an abnormal one. Consequently, the black-box identification based on the neural network (NN) approach by means of a nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) model has been chosen in this study. A comparison with an autoregressive with exogenous input (ARX) model based on the least squares criterion is carried out. This study also shows the choice and the performance of ARX and NARX models in the training and test phases. Statistical criteria are used for the validation of the experimental data of these approaches. The identified neural model is implemented by training a multilayer perceptron artificial neural network (MLP-ANN) with input,output experimental data. An analysis of the inputs number, hidden neurons and their influence on the behavior of the neural predictor is carried out. In order to illustrate the proposed ideas, a reactor-exchanger is used. Satisfactory agreement between identified and experimental data is found and results show that the neural model predicts the evolution of the process dynamics in a better way. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Strategy and Opportunism in European Retail InternationalizationBRITISH JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2001John Dawson Europe in recent years has witnessed an increase in the amount of cross-border operations by retailers. The retail sector has undergone substantial structural change characterized by the emergence of a group of rapidly-growing large retailers, a redefinition of the balance of internalized and externalized functions and a need to respond to the cultural variety present in Europe that becomes evident as retailers move out of their domestic markets. The over-arching requirement for these large retailers is to grow and gain scale economies. Internationalization of operations has become a requirement for these large firms. It is argued that the established academic conceptualizations of internationalization are unsatisfactory in not addressing this overriding requirement for growth. There is great variety in the international activity in retailing, with the absence of pattern being one of the few generalities. It is proposed that consideration of opportunism may be a better way to gain understanding of retailer activity than trying to fit activity into deterministic strategic models. The experiences of five West European retailers entering and building retail networks in Poland is provided as evidence for this view. Suggestions are made for future work exploring this issue of opportunism as a process in international retailing. [source] Schizophrenia in homeless persons: a systematic review of the literatureACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2002D. Folsom Objective:,This article systematically reviews studies of prevalence of schizophrenia in homeless persons. Method:,Medline and PsychInfo were searched using the key words: homeless person, mental illness, psychosis, and schizophrenia. The bibliographies of identified articles were also reviewed. Results:,Study designs varied considerably. The rate of schizophrenia in homeless persons reported in the 33 published reports, representing eight different countries, ranged from 2 to 45%. In the 10 methodologically superior studies, the prevalence range was 4,16% and the weighted average prevalence was 11%. In addition, rates were higher in younger persons, women and the chronically homeless. Slightly less than half of the homeless persons with schizophrenia were not currently receiving treatment. Conclusion:,Schizophrenia is much more prevalent among homeless persons than in the population at large. Future research should focus on better ways of meeting the mental health care needs of homeless people with schizophrenia. [source] Reorganizing web sites based on user access patternsINTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN ACCOUNTING, FINANCE & MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Yongjian Fu In this paper, an approach for reorganizing Web sites based on user access patterns is proposed. Our goal is to build adaptive Web sites by evolving site structure to facilitate user access. The approach consists of three steps: preprocessing, page classification, and site reorganization. In preprocessing, pages on a Web site are processed to create an internal representation of the site. Page access information of its users is extracted from the Web server log. In page classification, the Web pages on the site are classified into two categories, index pages and content pages, based on the page access information. After the pages are classified, in site reorganization, the Web site is examined to find better ways to organize and arrange the pages on the site. An algorithm for reorganizing Web sites has been developed. Our experiments on a large real data set show that the approach is efficient and practical for adaptive Web sites. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Allen Denver Russell Memorial Lecture, 2006JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006The use of microbiocides in infection control: a critical look at safety, applications, testing Abstract Microbial pathogens continue as major threats to health. Indeed, many ongoing societal changes are enhancing our vulnerability and exposure to several frank and opportunistic pathogens. This, together with rampant antimicrobial resistance and reduced prospects for newer drugs and vaccines, is forcing a higher reliance on microbiocides in infection prevention and control. That this reliance may not be well-founded becomes apparent from a closer look at current ways of testing and registering microbiocides, their label claims as well as human and environmental safety of certain widely used microbicidal chemicals. Many methods to test microbiocides for registration are flawed and/or entail test conditions irrelevant to field use. Pathogens listed on product labels may not be among those amenable to interruption through microbiocide use. The wide variations and discrepancies in existing national/regional regulations for registering microbiocides for sale stifle innovation. This is a critical look at the above-mentioned issues with emphasis on chemicals meant for use on environmental surfaces and medical devices. It highlights better ways to test microbiocides and to attain global harmonization of testing and product registration. It also details the known and potential dangers of microbiocide use and what to consider in choosing such formulations for optimal safety and effectiveness. End users are advised to be more critical and prudent in the selection and application of microbicidal chemicals, manufacturers are encouraged to explore infection control products and technologies that are safer in the workplace and for the environment, and regulators are urged to review and update the requirements and procedures for premarket review of microbiocide efficacy data and label claims. Independent investigations are also urgently needed to document the proportion of nosocomial infections that would be amenable to prevention through chemical disinfection of environmental surfaces. [source] Cancer, chitosan nanoparticles and catalytic nucleic acidsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009Mei Lin Tan Abstract Objectives The aim of this review was to examine gene therapy involving DNAzyme and siRNA encapsulation into chitosan nanoparticles, discussing the current and future status of this drug delivery system in enhancing drug delivery and cancer therapy. Key findings Cancer is a disease state in which the cells in our body undergo mutations at the genetic level and are transformed, acquiring the ability to replicate limitlessly. Conventional cancer treatment involves the use of surgery and cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, which have the potential of harming normal, otherwise healthy, non-neoplastic cells. Newer forms of therapy such as immunotherapy and gene therapy have shown initial promise, but still require better ways to limit exposure to cancerous lesions in the body. As a result drug delivery systems have been developed in attempts to deliver therapeutics specifically to the target lesion site. One recent drug delivery system has revolved around the use of chitosan nanoparticle technology, where therapeutics are encapsulated into nanoparticles and targeted to tumours. Summary Though few, attempts at encapsulating therapeutics such as deoxyribozymes and small or short interfering RNA have been optimistic and encouraging. [source] Brief Intervention for Female Heavy Drinkers in Routine General Practice: A 3-Year Randomized, Controlled StudyALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2000Mauri Aalto Background: Today, heavy drinking is a common health hazard among women. The evidence in favor of providing some kind of brief intervention to reduce drinking is quite convincing. However, we do not know if intervention works in a natural environment of routine health care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of long-lasting, brief alcohol intervention counseling for women in a routine general practice setting. Methods: In five primary care outpatient clinics in a Finnish town, 118 female early-phase heavy drinkers who consulted their general practitioners for various reasons were given brief alcohol intervention counseling. Intervention groups A (n= 40) and B (n= 38) were offered seven and three brief intervention sessions, respectively, over a 3-yr period. The control group C (n= 40) was advised to reduce drinking at baseline. Main outcome measures were self-reported weekly alcohol consumption, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Results: Depending on the outcome measure and the study group, clinically meaningful reduction of drinking was found in 27% to 75% of the heavy drinkers. Within all the groups, MCV significantly decreased. However, there were no statistically significant differences between study groups A, B, and C in the mean changes between the beginning and endpoint in the main outcome measures. Conclusions: The present study indicated that minimal advice, as offered to group C, was associated with reduced drinking as much as the brief intervention, as offered to groups A and B, given over a 3-yr period. Furthermore, in the routine setting of the general practice office, the effectiveness of the brief intervention may not be as good as in special research conditions. The factors possibly reducing the effectiveness in a routine setting are unknown. Thus, different methods of implementing brief intervention need to be evaluated to find better ways to support general practice personnel in their efforts to help heavy-drinking female patients to reduce their drinking. [source] Remanded in Custody: An Analysis of Recent Trends in England and WalesTHE HOWARD JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, Issue 3 2010ELAINE PLAYER Abstract: This article present statistics on remand in custody in England and Wales. Currently, these statistics are spread across a wide range of government statistical publications, making it challenging to determine trends. We demonstrate that decisions to remand in custody are not a major contribution to prison overcrowding. However, it is important from perspectives both of human rights and economy to keep trends under close review, and to search for better ways of reducing the remand population in prisons. At the end of the article we review a number of strategies designed to reduce the remand population in this jurisdiction. [source] Hypothesis: Research in Otolaryngology Is Essential for Continued Improvement in Health Care,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2002Robert H. Mathog MD Abstract The present report, in the form of a research proposal, is based on the hypothesis that research in otolaryngology is essential for continued improvement in health care. Examples of advances in otolaryngology as a result of research are noted, but for continued success, otolaryngology must maintain and find better ways to train clinically directed researchers. Traditional methods of training such as hands-on experience, courses in the basic principles of research, protected time, and mentoring are discussed and evaluated. Barriers to success such as age, time, and debt are noted. Potential solutions are presented with an emphasis on integration of the research and clinical training. Success of faculty will continue to depend on laboratory and financial support, technical assistance, protected time, salary equivalent to other faculty, and accessibility of research funds. For research to gain support and enthusiasm and to keep it strong and productive, cost-effectiveness and value must be recognized. [source] Agreement studies in obstetrics and gynaecology: inappropriateness, controversies and consequencesBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Cristina Costa Santos A literature review was performed to assess how agreement has been measured in obstetrics and gynaecology. Inappropriate or controversial measures were often used. The possible consequences of these inadequacies on validity studies and randomised controlled trials are shown in case examples. The association of two measures, proportions of agreement and kappa for categorical variables, and limits of agreement and intraclass correlation coefficient for continuous variables, is encouraged in agreement studies, until new and better ways of assessing agreement are found. [source] Research into macular degeneration provides better ways to assess its prognosisCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY, Issue 2 2004Algis J. Vingrys BScO No abstract is available for this article. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||