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Greatest Opportunity (greatest + opportunity)
Selected AbstractsThe development of competition in the English and Welsh water and sewerage industryFISCAL STUDIES, Issue 2 2001John W. Sawkins Abstract This paper examines the introduction of competition into the English and Welsh water and sewerage industry following privatisation of the 10 regional water authorities in 1989. It outlines the development of comparative, capital and product market competition, arguing that the greatest opportunities now lie with the last through the introduction of common carriage agreements, the extension of Inset appointments and the introduction of transferable abstraction licences. Despite competitive innovations, the industry remains highly regulated, complex and difficult to enter. One of Ofwat's outstanding challenges for the next decade is to examine the means by which the regulatory burden might be lightened and barriers to entry lowered, to encourage potential entrants to compete with incumbents. [source] Seasonal patterns in post-dispersal seed predation of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi in three cropping systemsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 5 2006ANDREW H. HEGGENSTALLER Summary 1Post-dispersal seed predation is an important source of mortality for arable weed populations that can potentially contribute to ecologically based management strategies. The extent to which cropping practices influence rates of seed predation is not well established. 2Removal of Abutilon theophrasti and Setaria faberi seeds by predators was measured in 2-year (maize/soyabean), 3-year (maize/soyabean/triticale + red clover) and 4-year (maize/soyabean/triticale + lucerne/lucerne) crop rotations in Iowa, USA, during 27 48-h sampling periods conducted during the 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons. 3Predation of S. faberi seeds was equal (eight sampling periods) or greater (19 sampling periods) than predation of A. theophrasti seeds, but the influence of crops on seasonal predation patterns was generally similar for the two weeds. 4Seasonal patterns in seed predation were crop-specific and complementary. In maize and soyabean, seed predation was low in spring, high in summer and low in autumn. In triticale,legume intercrops, seed predation was high in spring, low in summer and moderate in autumn. In lucerne, seed predation fluctuated from high to low, matching the periodic harvest and regrowth cycle of the crop. 5Measurements of crop canopy light interception taken in 2004 were positively correlated with rates of seed removal for both A. theophrasti (r = 0·54, P < 0·001) and S. faberi (r = 0·25, P < 0·001), suggesting that vegetative cover promotes weed seed predation. 6Synthesis and applications. The results indicate that crop vegetation can be managed to promote weed seed predation. Diversified farming systems that include a range of phenologically dissimilar crop species are likely to provide the greatest opportunities for weed seed destruction by predators. [source] The strategic effects of a merger upon supplier interactionsNAVAL RESEARCH LOGISTICS: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2007Stephen M. Gilbert Abstract We consider how a merger between two naturally differentiated dealers affects their interactions with a common supplier and identify conditions under which the merger can increase or decrease the combined net worth of the two firms. Among other things, we find that the attractiveness of merging depends upon the extent to which end demand can be stimulated by either an upstream supplier or the dealers. Specifically, the greater the supplier's ability to invest in stimulating end demand, the more likely it is that the naturally differentiated firms will be better off operating independently than merging. On the other hand, if the greatest opportunities for stimulating demand are through the service that is provided by the dealers, then merging their operations will be more attractive. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007 [source] A retrospective review of the associations between amblyopia type, patient age, treatment compliance and referral patternsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 2 2004Brian E-G Chua BSc MB BS MPH Abstract Aim:,To review presenting ages, referral sources, amblyopia type and treatment compliance in children attending a typical public hospital ophthalmology clinic with no formal amblyopia screening program in place. Methods:,One hundred and twenty-seven children attending the outpatients clinics of The Children's Hospital at Westmead for amblyopia management between January 2001 and May 2003 were reviewed. Presenting age, amblyopia type, referral source, treatment prescribed and compliance achieved were analysed using means, 95% confidence intervals (CI), and Mantel,Haenszel ,2 statistic. Results:,General practitioners and paediatricians provided most referrals. The mean presenting age was 32.9 (95% CI 29.0,36.9) months. There was no significant association between presenting age and amblyopia type (,2 = 6.00, P = 0.11, d.f. = 3), but a trend was found with deprivation amblyopia identified earliest, and pure anisometropic amblyopia identified latest (,2 = 5.65, P = 0.02, d.f. = 1). Compliance to patching did not differ significantly between sexes, with calculated aggregate compliance of 67.3% (95% CI: 59,75%) for boys and 66.3% (95% CI: 60,73%) for girls. Compliance to patching also did not differ significantly between amblyopia types (,2 = 3.61, P = 0.3, d.f. = 3). Compliance was best among younger and older children, and worst among those aged 15,30 months. There was no association between patching compliance and treatment duration. Conclusion:,Amblyopia is a preventable form of blindness. A multidisciplinary approach must be taken. Resources and education should be targeted at general practitioners and paediatricians who have the greatest opportunities to perform amblyopia screening. Teachers are an important resource in identifying cases missed at previous informal screening opportunities. Amblyopia treatment must be intensified and individualized between the ages of 15,30 months when compliance is poorest. [source] Leadership: a New Frontier in Conservation ScienceCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009JIM C. MANOLIS estrategia; influencia; liderazgo; manejo; política Abstract:,Leadership is a critical tool for expanding the influence of conservation science, but recent advances in leadership concepts and practice remain underutilized by conservation scientists. Furthermore, an explicit conceptual foundation and definition of leadership in conservation science are not available in the literature. Here we drew on our diverse leadership experiences, our reading of leadership literature, and discussions with selected conservation science leaders to define conservation-science leadership, summarize an exploratory set of leadership principles that are applicable to conservation science, and recommend actions to expand leadership capacity among conservation scientists and practitioners. We define 2 types of conservation-science leadership: shaping conservation science through path-breaking research, and advancing the integration of conservation science into policy, management, and society at large. We focused on the second, integrative type of leadership because we believe it presents the greatest opportunity for improving conservation effectiveness. We identified 8 leadership principles derived mainly from the "adaptive leadership" literature: recognize the social dimension of the problem; cycle frequently through action and reflection; get and maintain attention; combine strengths of multiple leaders; extend your reach through networks of relationships; strategically time your effort; nurture productive conflict; and cultivate diversity. Conservation scientists and practitioners should strive to develop themselves as leaders, and the Society for Conservation Biology, conservation organizations, and academia should support this effort through professional development, mentoring, teaching, and research. Resumen:,El liderazgo es una herramienta crítica para la expansión de la influencia de la ciencia de la conservación, pero los avances recientes en los conceptos y práctica del liderazgo son subutilizados por los científicos de la conservación. Más aun, en la literatura no hay una fundamentación conceptual ni definición de liderazgo en la ciencia de la conservación. Aquí nos basamos en nuestras experiencias de liderazgo, nuestra lectura de literatura sobre liderazgo y discusiones con líderes selectos de la ciencia de conservación para definir liderazgo para la ciencia de la conservación, resumir un conjunto exploratorio de principios de liderazgo aplicables a la ciencia de la conservación y recomendar acciones para expandir la capacidad de liderazgo entre los científicos y los practicantes de la conservación. Definimos dos tipos de liderazgo de la ciencia de la conservación: configuración de la ciencia de la conservación mediante investigación original, y avance hacia la integración del liderazgo en la ciencia de la conservación en la política, el manejo y la sociedad en general. Nos centramos en el segundo tipo de liderazgo porque consideramos que presenta la mejor oportunidad para mejorar la efectividad de la conservación. Identificamos ocho principios de liderazgo derivados principalmente de la literatura sobre "liderazgo adaptativo": reconocer la dimensión social del problema; alternar entre acción y reflexión frecuentemente; obtener y mantener atención; combinar fortalezas de múltiples líderes; extender el alcance mediante redes de relaciones; organizar el esfuerzo estratégicamente; evitar conflictos productivos y desarrollar la biodiversidad. Los científicos y los practicantes de la conservación deberían esforzarse para desarrollarse como líderes y la Sociedad para la Biología de la Conservación, las organizaciones de conservación y la academia deberían respaldar este esfuerzo mediante el desarrollo profesional, la tutoría, la enseñanza y la investigación. [source] Comments on ,the dyslexia ecosystem': a reply to NicolsonDYSLEXIA, Issue 4 2002Ian L. Richards Abstract The central issue facing the dyslexia community, and the underlying theme of Nicolson's ,The Dyslexia Ecosystem' (Nicolson, 2002, Dyslexia, 8, 55,66), is how we can best translate what we know about this particular developmental disorder into practice to give each child the greatest opportunity of acquiring the enabling skill of literacy. To achieve this, and notwithstanding Nicolson's caveat on this point, we have to consider how we can best move from our sphere of expertise to a greater sphere of influence, both as individuals and as a community of research practitioners. In our response, we first consider aspects of Nicolson's general analysis of ,The Dyslexia Ecosystem' and then examine some of the specific objectives that have been proposed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Knee biomechanics after UKA and its relation to the ACL,a robotic investigationJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Jeremy F. Suggs Abstract Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has regained popularity in recent years. However, limited data exist on how UKA affects knee biomechanics. The role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after fixed bearing UKA remains controversial. In this study, a robotic testing system was used to apply a quadriceps/hamstrings load to cadaveric knee specimens in the intact state, after medial UKA, and after transection of the ACL in UKA. The load was applied to the knee from full extension to 120° of flexion in 30° increments. UKA generally did not affect anterior,posterior (AP) femoral position, but did cause external tibial rotation and variations in varus,valgus rotation compared to the intact knee. ACL transection after UKA shifted the femur posteriorly compared to the intact and UKA knees and increased internal tibial rotation compared to the UKA knee at low flexion. The AP motion of the articular contact position in the implant was increased after ACL transection. These data might help explain the mechanism of tibial component loosening and provide insight into further investigations of polyethylene wear in UKA. Based on the kinematic data, the ACL should be functional to provide patients the greatest opportunity for long-term success after medial UKA. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [source] Measuring and reporting on quality in health care: A framework and road map for improving careJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Susan E. Brien PhD Abstract Quality of care measurement and reporting at the provider, hospital, or health system level has become increasingly common in health systems around the world. Health system performance reports, whether they be confidentially distributed to the provider or made available to the public, are not only used as a stimulus for quality improvement, but can also be used to inform policy, apportion funding, or in rare cases, punish poorly performing providers. In this review, we outline several principles of quality of healthcare measurement and performance reporting, and describe a framework for optimal performance reporting that provides the greatest opportunity for the desired outcome,health system improvement. The quality reporting framework and roadmap that we present invokes opportunities for improving care in the domain of surgical oncology. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:462,466. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Consequences of treatment withdrawal in type 1 autoimmune hepatitisLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2007Aldo J. Montano-Loza Abstract Background and Aims: Drug-related side effects are considered the major consequences of relapse and re-treatment in patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Our goals were to determine whether relapse is associated with disease progression and whether treatment end points can be refined. Methods: The outcomes of 132 patients with definite type 1 autoimmune hepatitis who had been treated comparably until remission were assessed retrospectively after drug withdrawal. Results: Patients who had relapsed repeatedly after initial treatment withdrawal developed cirrhosis more commonly than patients who sustained remission (18/48 vs 1/22, P=0.004), and those who relapsed once (18/48 vs 2/21, P=0.02). Hepatic death or the need for liver transplantation was also more frequent in the patients who had multiple relapses than those who sustained remission (13/64 vs 0/30, P=0.008) and those who relapsed once (13/64 vs 1/38, P=0.02). Patients who sustained their remission had a higher frequency of normal laboratory indices at drug withdrawal than patients who relapsed (88% vs 46%, P=0.003). Adverse outcomes after relapse did not distinguish patients until after 5 years of observation. Conclusions: Multiple relapses are associated with a poorer prognosis than sustained remission or single relapse episodes. Initial treatment to resolution of laboratory abnormalities may afford the greatest opportunity to prevent relapse. [source] | |||||||||||||