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Majority
Kinds of Majority Terms modified by Majority Selected AbstractsSchool-Based Screening of the Dietary Intakes of Third Graders in Rural Appalachian OhioJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 11 2010Jana A. Hovland MS BACKGROUND: Children in Appalachia are experiencing high levels of obesity, in large measure because of inferior diets. This study screened the dietary intake of third graders residing in 3 rural Appalachian counties in Ohio and determined whether the Food, Math, and Science Teaching Enhancement Resource Initiative (FoodMASTER) curriculum improved their dietary intake. METHODS: Dietary intake was measured for 238 third graders at the beginning of the 2007 to 2008 school year and for 224 third graders at the end of that year. The FoodMASTER curriculum was delivered to 204 students (test group). Intake was measured using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire 2004. The final analysis included 138 students. RESULTS: The FoodMASTER curriculum did not significantly affect the diets of the students in the test group, as no significant differences in intake of macronutrients, specific nutrients, or food groups were found between the test and control groups. Majorities of students did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance or Adequate Intakes for fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin E. The students as a whole did not meet the MyPyramid recommendations for any food group, and nearly one fifth of their calories came from sweets. Significant differences in percentages of kilocalories from protein and sweets and in servings of fats, oils, and sweets were seen between groups of higher and lower socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Energy-dense foods are replacing healthy foods in the diets of Ohio children living in rural Appalachia. The prevalence of poor dietary intake in Appalachia warrants further nutrition interventions involving programming for nutrition, such as future FoodMASTER curricula. [source] Submajority Rules: Forcing Accountability upon Majorities,THE JOURNAL OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, Issue 1 2005Adrian Vermeule First page of article [source] Prevalence and causes of fractured permanent incisors in 12-year-old suburban Nigerian schoolchildrenDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Comfort A. Adekoya-Sofowora A dental trauma cross-sectional survey was carried out through clinical examination of upper and lower permanent incisors and interviews with 415 (212 boys, 203 girls) 12-year-old children attending private and public secondary schools in lle-Ife, in 2004/2005 by one calibrated examiner. Garcia-Godoy's classification was used. The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was 12.8%. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence between boys and girls P > 0.05. The most common cause of injuries was falls (49.1%), followed by traffic accidents (13.2%), collision against objects or people (11.3%) and misuse of teeth 9.4%. The commonest type of injury was enamel fracture alone (9.9%), followed by enamel-dentine fracture (4.8%). Majority of the accidents occurred at home (60.4%), followed by school (26.4%). The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was on the increase among suburban Nigerian children in Ile-Ife and it has a potential to be considered an emerging public health problem. [source] Evaluation of the genetic basis of phenotypic heterogeneity in north Indian patients with Thalassemia majorEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Nidhi Sharma Abstract Objectives: To assess the molecular basis of phenotypic heterogeneity in north Indian patients with thalassemia major (TM). Methods: To determine the clinical severity, 130 patients of TM were studied for the age of first presentation and frequency of blood transfusion. The type of beta mutations, Xmn,1G, polymorphism and G6PD Mediterranean mutation was characterized. Analysis of the phenotypic presentation and the genotype was performed. Results: Majority (83.8%) presented before 1 year of age (mean 8.8 months). The caste distribution showed 41.6% were Aroras and 32.3% were migrants from Pakistan. IVS1-5(G,C) was commonest (32.7%) and the common five Indian mutations comprised of 88.4% of alleles. The mean age of presentation with IVS1-5(G,C), Fr 8/9, (+G) 619-bp del and IVS1-1(G,T) homozygosity was 4.3, 6, 3.4 and 9.1 months respectively. Xmn,1G, status showed ,/, in 66.9%, +/, in 26.1% and +/+ in 6.9% patients. Xmn,1G,,/, presented before 1 year of age. The mean age of presentation with +/+ was 18.3 months. Six hemizygous boys and one heterozygous girl with G6PD Mediterranean were found (prevalence 5.3%). Eight patients could be reclassified as thalassemia intermedia on follow up. Conclusions: This study showed that majority of TM in north India present before 1 year of age and homozygous 619-bp deletion presents the earliest. The presence of Xmn-1G, polymorphism delays the presentation, is associated with the IVS 1-1 (G,T) and shows variable improvement with hydroxyurea therapy. Based on the results of genotyping, reevaluation of patients can improve the outcome in a few patients. [source] Majority versus minority influence: the role of message processing in determining resistance to counter-persuasionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Robin Martin Two experiments examined the extent to which attitudes changed following majority and minority influence are resistant to counter-persuasion. In both experiments participants' attitudes were measured after being exposed to two messages, delayed in time, which argued opposite positions (initial message and counter-message). In the first experiment, attitudes following minority endorsement of the initial message were more resistant to a second counter-message only when the initial message contained strong versus weak arguments. Attitudes changed following majority influence did not resist the second counter-message and returned to their pre-test level. Experiment 2 varied whether memory was warned (i.e., message recipients expected to recall the message) or not, to manipulate message processing. When memory was warned, which should increase message processing, attitudes changed following both majority and minority influence resisted the second counter-message. The results support the view that minority influence instigates systematic processing of its arguments, leading to attitudes that resist counter-persuasion. Attitudes formed following majority influence yield to counter-persuasion unless there is a secondary task that encourages message processing. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Majority versus minority influence: when, not whether, source status instigates heuristic or systematic processingEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Robin Martin Two experiments investigated the extent of message processing of a persuasive communication proposed by either a numerical majority or minority. Both experiments crossed source status (majority versus minority) with message quality (strong versus weak arguments) to determine which source condition is associated with systematic processing. The first experiment showed a reliable difference between strong and weak messages, indicating systematic processing had occurred, for a minority irrespective of message direction (pro- versus counter-attitudinal), but not for a majority. The second experiment showed that message outcome moderates when a majority or a minority leads to systematic processing. When the message argued for a negative personal outcome, there was systematic processing only for the majority source; but when the message did not argue for a negative personal outcome, there was systematic processing only for the minority source. Thus one key moderator of whether a majority or minority source leads to message processing is whether the topic induces defensive processing motivated by self-interest. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Studies on anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani isolates causing disease in two forest nurseries in PolandFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2006S. St, pniewska-Jarosz Summary Thirty-eight isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings with damping-off symptoms, originating from two forest nurseries in central-west Poland (Wronczyn and Jarocin) and from diseased seedlings grown in soil from Wronczyn nursery. Majority of these isolates (79%) had multinucleate cells and were identified as Rhizoctonia solani. The remaining isolates were recognized as binucleate Rhizoctonia spp. R. solani isolates were characterized using hyphal anastomosis and were divided into five anastomosis groups (AG). The most prevalent was AG5 (37% of isolates), followed by AG2-1 (30%) and 27% of the isolates were identified as AG4. Groups AG1-IB and AG2-2 were only represented by single isolates. The virulence recorded as mortality (in percentage) was comparatively high for binucleate and multinucleate isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. Sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region was used for phylogenetic analysis. The dendrogram showed that isolates were distinctly separated based on their AG types and there was no relationship between pathogenicity on Scots pine seedlings and the AG to which the isolates belong to. The results are discussed with respect to pathogenic potential of the various AG groups. Résumé Trente-huit isolats de Rhizoctonia spp. ont été isolés de semis de Pin sylvestre (Pinus sylvestris) présentant des symptômes de fonte, dans deux pépinières forestières du Centre-Ouest de la Pologne (Wronczyn and Jarocin) et de semis malades élevés dans du sol provenant de la pépinière de Wronczyn. La majorité de ces isolats (79%) ont des cellules multi-nucléées et ont été identifiés comme des Rhizoctonia solani. Le reste des isolats ont été reconnus comme des Rhizoctonia spp. binucléés. Les isolats de R. solani ont été caractérisés en utilisant l'anastomose d'hyphes et répartis dans cinq groupes d'anastomoses (AG). Le plus important est le groupe AG5 (37% des isolats), suivi par AG2-1 (30%) et AG4 (27%). Les groupes AG1-IB et AG2-2 sont représentés chacun par seulement un isolat. La virulence, estimée par le pourcentage de mortalité, est relativement forte pour les isolats binucléés et multinucléés de Rhizoctonia spp. L'analyse des séquences de la région ITS de l'ADNr amplifiées par PCR a été utilisée pour l'analyse phylogénétique. Le dendrogramme montre que les isolats sont séparés selon leur groupe d'anastomose mais il n'y a pas de relation entre le groupe d'anastomose et la virulence sur semis de Pin sylvestre. Les résultats sont discutés dans la perspective du pouvoir pathogène des différents groupes d'anastomoses. Zusammenfassung Von Kiefernsämlingen (Pinus sylvestris) mit Umfallkrankheit, die aus zwei Forstbaumschulen in Zentral-Westpolen stammten (Wronczyn und Jarocin) und aus erkrankten Sämlingen, die in Bodenproben aus der Baumschule Wronczyn kultiviert worden waren, wurden 38 Stämme von Rhizoctonia spp. isoliert. Die meisten dieser Isolate (79%) hatten vielkernige Zellen und wurden als R. solani identifiziert. Die restlichen Isolate waren zweikernige Rhizoctonia spp. Die Isolate von R. solani wurden durch Anastomosierungstests charakterisiert und fünf Anastomosierungsgruppen zugeordnet. Die häufigste Gruppe war AG5 (37% der Isolate), gefolgt von AG2-1 (30%) und AG4 (27%). Die Gruppe AG1-IB und AG2-2 waren nur durch einzelne Isolate vertreten. Die Virulenz (gemessen als % Mortalität) war sowohl für zweikernige als auch für vielkernige Isolate vergleichsweise hoch. Mit den Sequenzen der PCR-amplifizierten ITS-rDNA-Region wurde eine phylogenetische Analyse durchgeführt. Das Dendrogramm zeigte, dass die Isolate aufgrund ihrer Zugehörigkeit zu den Anastomosierungsgruppen deutlich voneinander getrennt waren, und es bestand keine Beziehung zwischen ihrer Virulenz gegenüber Kiefernsämlingen und der Gruppenzugehörigkeit. Die Befunde werden im Hinblick auf das pathogene Potential der verschiedenen Anastomosierungsgruppen diskutiert. [source] Ozone exposure over two growing seasons alters root-to-shoot ratio and chemical composition of birch (Betula pendula Roth)GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2003K. Yamaji Abstract Physiological and chemical responses of 17 birch (Betula pendula Roth) clones to 1.5,1.7 × ambient ozone were studied in an open-field experiment over two growing seasons. The saplings were studied for growth, foliar visible injuries, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll, carotenoid, Rubisco, total soluble protein, macronutrient and phenolic concentrations in leaves. Elevated ozone resulted in growth enhancement, changes in shoot-to-root (s/r) ratio, visible foliar injuries, reduced stomatal conductance, lower late-season net photosynthesis, foliar nutrient imbalance, changes in phenolic composition, and reductions in pigment, Rubisco and soluble protein contents indicating accelerated leaf senescence. Majority of clones responded to ozone by changing C allocation towards roots, by stomatal closure (reduced ozone uptake), and by investment in low-cost foliar antioxidants to avoid and tolerate ozone stress. A third of clones, showing increased s/r ratio, relied on inducible efficient high-cost antioxidants, and enhanced leaf production to compensate ozone-caused decline in leaf-level net photosynthesis. However, the best ozone tolerance was found in two s/r ratio-unaffected clones showing a high constitutive amount of total phenolics, investment in low-cost antioxidants and N distribution to leaves, and lower stomatal conductance under ozone stress. The results highlight the importance of phenolic compounds in ozone defence mechanisms in the birch population. Depending on the genotype, ozone detoxification was improved by an increase in either efficient high-cost or less efficient low-cost antioxidative phenolics, with close connections to whole-plant physiology. [source] Striving for a better operative outcome: 101 PancreaticoduodenectomiesHPB, Issue 6 2008A.W.C. Kow Abstract Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), once carried high morbidity and mortality, is now a routine operation performed for lesions arising from the pancreatico-duodenal complex. This study reviews the outcome of 101 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed after formalization of HepatoPancreatoBiliary (HPB) unit in the Department of Surgery. A prospective database comprising of patients who underwent PD was set up in 1999. Retrospective data for patients operated between 1996 and 1999 was included. One hundred and one cases accrued over 10 years from 1996 to 2006 were analysed using SPSS (Version 12.0). The mean age of our cohort of patients was 61±12 years with male to female ratio of 2:1. The commonest clinical presentations were obstructive jaundice (64%) and abdominal pain (47%). Majority had malignant lesions (86%) with invasive adenocarcinoma of the head of pancreas being the predominant histopathology (41%). Median operative time was 315 (180,945) minutes. Two-third of our patients had pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) while the rest had pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). There were five patients with pancreatico-enteric anastomotic leak (5%), three of whom (3%) were from PJ anastomosis. Overall, in-hospital and 30-day mortality were both 3%. The median post-operative length of stay (LOS) was 15 days. Using logistic regressions, the post-operative morbidity predicts LOS following operation (p<0.005). The strategy in improving the morbidity and mortality rates of pancreaticoduodenectomies lies in the subspecialization of surgical services with regionalization of such complex surgeries to high volume centers. The key success lies in the dedication of staffs who continues to refine the clinical care pathway and standardize management protocol. [source] Determinants of the Timing of Interim and Majority of Audit WorkINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDITING, Issue 2 2004Bilal Makkawi This study investigates the effect of the risk of material misstatement at the financial statement level on audit program planning. Using an inventory-production cycle case study, we engaged forty-eight auditors to assess the risk of material misstatement at the financial statement level. The auditors incorporated their assessments in planning the total number of audit hours and the timing of performance of interim tests and the majority of audit work. To further investigate the sources of variation, we classified auditors by their level of audit experience and tolerance-for-ambiguity, and analyzed the effects of these variables on the audit program planning. The results indicate that the risk of material misstatement is statistically significant in explaining changes in the total number of audit hours and the timing of the majority of audit work. Moreover, experience and tolerance-for-ambiguity were significant in explaining changes in the timing of interim tests and majority of work. Interaction between experience and tolerance-for-ambiguity was also significant in explaining the variation in the total number of hours planned for the overall audit work. This result indicated that inexperienced auditors with a low tolerance-for-ambiguity planned more audit procedures than the more experienced auditors with a high tolerance-for-ambiguity. Implications for audit practice and research are discussed. [source] Interrelation between the Poisoning Severity Score, carboxyhaemoglobin levels and in-hospital clinical course of carbon monoxide poisoningINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2006A. A. CEVIK Summary The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning (COP) using outcome as the measure. The study was designed as a retrospective chart review of patients with final diagnosis of COP. Correlation of PSS and COHb levels at presentation was evaluated with collected data. Majority of the cases were grade 1 (minor) PSS (134 cases, 73.6%) and 93.4% of these patients made a complete recovery. There were six deaths (mortality 3.3%) and six in-hospital major complications (IHMCs) (3.3%) (please specify whether the complications were in the patients who died). There is moderate correlation between PSS and outcome (p < 0.001, r = 0.493). Grade 3 (severe) PSS was significantly different from other grades for outcome (six mortalities and three IHMCs). Patients classified as grade 3 and patients who died had a significantly higher mean age (p < 0.05, 41.8 ± 23.6 and p < 0.01, 60.1 ± 20.3, respectively). Mean COHb level of grade 3 (33.2 ± 13.9%) was significantly higher than that of other grades (p < 0.05). COHb levels according to outcome were not different (? within the patients in grade 3). Decreased level of consciousness, acidosis, tachycardia, high glucose and leucocyte levels showed significant relation with higher PSS, COHb level and adverse outcome. We conclude that the PSS is a reliable guide in COP. Value of the PSS in COP may be enhanced if additional factors and investigations are included. [source] Diagnostic and therapeutic value of apomorphine in Parkinsonian patientsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 11 2004J.C. Sharma Summary Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist administered subcutaneously for the management of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Patients with Parkinsonian syndrome underwent an apomorphine challenge for therapeutic efficacy, a positive response being a reduction of >15% score on motor unified PD rating scale. Of the 42 patients, aged 37,81, disease duration 12 months to 20 years, 36 had a positive response. Six non-responders were later diagnosed as non-PD as compared with only two of the 36 responders. Tremor-predominant patients obtained higher motor response. Few patients demonstrated a delayed positive response. Seven (three idiopathic PD (iPD), four non-PD) suffered adverse reactions of nausea, vomiting or ill-sustained symptomatic fall in BP. Majority of the patients who continued with apomorphine therapy were able to reduce levodopa and achieved an improvement in dyskinesia and motor symptoms. Thirteen responding patients were managed by increasing dopamine agonists. Five patients, intolerant of oral dopamine agonists, were able to beneficially tolerate apomorphine. Age and disease duration did not influence tolerability or efficacy. The patients treated with apomorphine were able to significantly reduce the dose of levodopa, and there was a reduction in dyskinesia, hallucinations and fluctuations (all p < 0.05). In some patients, apomorphine prevented admission to institutions. We also describe the use of apomorphine in acutely ill patients unable to ingest oral medication. Apomorphine seems to have a diagnostic element for iPD. Its use leads to a reduction in dyskinesia, improvement in motor symptoms and prevention of institutional care. Apomorphine test also identifies patients likely to benefit with an increase in oral medication. Age and disease duration should not prevent the use of this valuable drug. Apomorphine also has a role in acutely ill PD patients. [source] Clinical characteristics of basal cell carcinoma in a tertiary hospital in Sarawak, MalaysiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Felix Boon Bin Yap MD MRCP Background, Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer among Orientals. Data on this malignancy is lacking in Malaysia, prompting a retrospective study to determine the clinical characteristics in the skin clinic, Sarawak General Hospital between 2000 and 2008. Methods, Demographic data and clinical features of 64 histopathologically proven BCC from 43 patients were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed comparing the clinical characteristics based on the region of involvement and gender. Results, The mean age of presentation was 60.9 years. Male to female ratio was 1.05. Majority of the patients were Chinese (44.2%) followed by Malays (32.6%), Bidayuhs (14.0%) and Ibans (6.9%). Nodular BCC accounted for 95.3% of cases while 4.7% were superficial BCC. All the nodular BCC were pigmented. Ulceration was noted in 18%. There were 82.8% of BCC on the head and neck region and 17.2% on the trunk and limb region. BCC on the latter region were larger (mean 35.0 cf. 14.4 mm, p < 0.001) and ulcerated (45.5% cf. 11.3%, p = 0.01). Superficial BCC were also more frequently encountered in this region (18.2% cf. 1.9%, p = 0.02). Compared to women, men had larger BCC (mean 21.1 cf. 13.3 mm, p = 0.03) and kept them for a longer duration (mean 21.6 cf. 13.3 months, p = 0.04). Conclusion, Clinical characteristics of BCC in Sarawak were similar to other Asian studies. Additionally, BCC on the trunk and limbs and in men were larger, ulcerative and long standing warranting better efforts for earlier detection. [source] DPT vaccine-induced lipoatrophy: an observational studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2007Kabir Sardana MD, MNAMS Introduction Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT) vaccine is universally used in infants and children. It is generally safe and well tolerated. Local reactions such as erythema, induration, palpable nodules, and injection site abscess are well known. Injection site lipoatrophy has not been reported earlier. Patients and Methods Retrospective review of all cases presenting with lipoatrophy developing at injection site following DPT administration between 2000,2005 in 3 hospitals in New Delhi, India was performed. In each case, the patients were extensively evaluated for other possible causes of lipoatrophy. Results 8 infants (2 boys & 6 girls), age range 4,12 months, had presented with injection site lipoatrophy following DPT vaccination. The duration between the last injection and lipoatrophy ranged from 4 to 8 weeks. All had been administered the vaccine in the buttock instead of the thigh, as generally recommended in infants. Majority (6/8) developed lipoatrophy after the second dose. No systemic causes were found. Conclusion DPT vaccine may, in rare instances, lead to injection site lipoatrophy. Inadvertent administration into the subcutaneous fat of the buttock may have been causative. Other possible mechanisms are discussed. Paramedics and general practitioners need to be educated to administer intramuscular vaccines in the thigh in infants and young children. [source] Consumer Awareness and Willingness to Pay for High-Pressure Processing of Ready-to-Eat FoodJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE EDUCATION, Issue 2 2009Doris T. Hicks ABSTRACT:, Commercial, nonthermal processing of food, such as high hydrostatic-pressure processing (HPP), has increased. The safety and quality of foods produced by HPP has not been well communicated to the public. An online, nationwide consumer survey was implemented to assess awareness of alternative food processing technologies, consumer food safety attitudes and knowledge, and willingness to pay (WTP) for HPP products. The consumer survey was administered by ZoomerangÔ, an online survey clearinghouse. The survey was completed by 1204 adults. Frequencies and crosstabs were calculated on Zoomerang and SPSS used for one-way ANOVA and chi-square analyses. The survey assessed knowledge of HPP, attitudes about new food processing techniques, WTP for HPP foods and demographics. Overall, many demographic characteristics reflected U.S. census population. While traditional methods, that is, canning, freezing, and microwaving were all well recognized by over 80% of respondents, only 8% recognized HPP. Trends indicated an increase in age, education, and income reflected greater food safety knowledge. Regardless of demographics, no survey respondent exhibited knowledge mastery (80%). Given an explanation of HPP and its benefits, 39% of respondents indicated they would be WTP an additional cost, with higher income and education having the most impact. Majority of respondents indicated a WTP of $0.25 to $0.50 regardless of the value of the food product. More respondents were WTP slightly more for a more expensive product. New technologies often encounter a stumbling block in consumer acceptance and processing costs. A consumer's WTP, once they were informed, could encourage industry to look favorably on this technology. [source] Human judgments in New York state sales and use tax forecastingJOURNAL OF FORECASTING, Issue 4 2004Yu-Ying Kuo Abstract Human judgments have become quite important in revenue forecasting processes. This paper centres on human judgments in New York state sales and use tax by examining the actual practices of information integration. Based on the social judgment theory (i.e., the lens model), a judgment analysis exercise was designed and administered to a person from each agency (the Division of the Budget, Assembly Ways and Means Committee Majority and Minority, and the Senate Finance Committee) to understand how information integration is processed among different agencies. The results of the judgment analysis exercise indicated that revenue forecasters put different weight on cues. And, in terms of relative and subjective weights, the cues were used differently, although they were presented with the same information. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A survey of treatment outcomes with removable partial denturesJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 8 2003D. Knezovi, Zlatari summary The patient's satisfaction with removable partial denture (RPD) therapy has become an increasingly important factor in prosthetic treatment. This study examined patients' satisfaction with RPDs in relation to some socio-economic variables, patients' habits of wearing and cleaning RPDs, comfort of wearing RPDs and different RPDs characteristics. A questionnaire was devised for the purpose. Two hundred and five patients were required to assess satisfaction with RPDs. They graded RPDs, depending on the level of satisfaction, on scale ranging from 1 to 5. A dentist determined Kennedy classification, material and denture support, denture base shape, number of missing teeth and evaluated denture construction. Majority of the patients were satisfied with the prosthesis. The patients of a higher education level gave lower grades (P < 0·05) to aesthetics of maxillary RPDs. Almost half of the patients were wearing RPDs during the day. Most of the patients cleaned RPDs three times a day. A significant difference was found between the patients' grades for comfort of wearing mandibular RPDs and number of missing teeth and between hygiene of mandibular RPDs and habits of cleaning them. Majority of the patients treated with RPDs were satisfied with the prosthesis. Dissatisfaction was related to mastication, esthetics, number of missing teeth and maintenance of oral hygiene. [source] Solution conformation of a tetradecapeptide stabilized by two di- n -propyl glycine residuesJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 8 2010Vijayalekshmi Sarojini Abstract The solution conformation of a designed tetradecapeptide Boc-Val-Ala-Leu-Dpg-Val-Ala-Leu-Val-Ala-Leu-Dpg-Val-Ala-Leu-OMe (Dpg-14) containing two di- n -propyl glycine (Dpg) residues has been investigated by 1H NMR and circular dichroism in organic solvents. The peptide aggregates formed at a concentration of 3 mM in the apolar solvent CDCl3 were broken by the addition of 12% v/v of the more polar solvent DMSO-d6. Successive NiH Ni+1H NOEs observed over the entire length of the sequence in this solvent mixture together with the observation of several characteristic medium-range NOEs support a major population of continuous helical conformations for Dpg-14. Majority of the observed coupling constants () also support , values in the helical conformation. Circular dichroism spectra recorded in methanol and propan-2-ol give further support in favor of helical conformation for Dpg-14 and the stability of the helix at higher temperature. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Morphological and Pathological Variability in Rice Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and Molecular Analysis of their Genetic VariabilityJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 11-12 2007S. Guleria Abstract Nineteen isolates of Rhizoctonia solani collected from different rice varieties grown in various regions of Punjab were studied for their morphological and pathological characterization. Majority of the isolates were fast growing with raised and fluffy colonies and hyphal width of 9.6 ,m while four exhibited moderate growth rate. Colony colour in all except two isolates was light yellowish brown. While sclerotial number per 5.0 mm culture disc of the test isolates ranged between 2.1 and 11.2 mm, their size varied between 1.31 and 2.08 mm. Sclerotial colour in all except two isolates was dark brown and most of these were found scattered in the colony. There was no relationship between morphologically similar isolates and their pathogenic behaviour. Majority of the isolates produced lesion length between 45.6 and 58.2 mm on detached rice leaves (cv. PR116). Molecular characterization of genetic diversity in the test isolates was studied by using 10 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and eight random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The size of amplified DNA bands ranged from 0.25,3.0 to 0.5,4.0 kb with ISSR and RAPD markers, respectively. Combined data set of 155 DNA markers were analysed with UPGMA resulting five clusters with 49,89% genetic similarity. Most of the isolates showed grouping specific to the host variety. Out of these two types of DNA markers, RAPD markers were able to detect more genetic variability when compared to ISSR markers. [source] Primary sarcoma of the breastJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Manoj Pandey Abstract Background and Objectives Primary sarcoma occurring in breast is rare and comprises 0.5,1% of all breast neoplasm. Majority of the series include both stromal and cystosarcoma phyllodes, only a few hundred cases of sarcomas other then cystosarcoma are reported. Patients and Methods We carried out a retrospective analysis of 19 patients with primary sarcoma of the breast treated between 1982 and 2002. Results Mean age of the patients was 38.6 years (12,70 years). Gradually progressive swelling was the commonest presenting feature. There were eight cases of angiosarcoma, four cases of spindle cell sarcoma, two each of pleomorphic sarcoma and stromal sarcoma, and one each of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and sarcoma (NOS). Eight of these were high-grade (42%). Eight patients underwent either radical or modified mastectomy, three underwent wide excisions, and one underwent quadrantectomy. Ten (52.6%) patients received postoperative adjuvant radiation. Two patients received chemotherapy. After a mean follow-up time of 34.5 months (median 25 months), eight patients failed. Failure was local in five, opposite breast in one, and both local and distant in two. The disease free survival at 3-year was 39%. In univariate analysis only the margin of first surgery was found to be a significant predictor of survival (P,=,0.05). Conclusions Primary sarcomas of the breast are aggressive tumors. Surgical treatment should consist of at least simple mastectomy. All attempts should be made to achieve a negative margin as this appears to be the only factor influencing survival in these patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;87:121,125. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] EAACI/GA2LEN guideline: aspirin provocation tests for diagnosis of aspirin hypersensitivityALLERGY, Issue 10 2007E. Ni, ankowska-Mogilnicka Abstract:, Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most common causes of adverse drug reactions. Majority of them are of the hypersensitivity type. The two frequent clinical presentations of aspirin hypersensitivity are: aspirin-induced bronchial asthma/rhinosinusitis (AIA/R) and aspirin-induced urticaria/angioedema (AIU). The decisive diagnosis is based on provocation tests with aspirin, as the in vitro test does not hold diagnostic value as yet. Detailed protocols of oral, bronchial and nasal aspirin provocation tests are presented. Indications, contraindications for the tests, the rules of drug withdrawal and equipment are reviewed. Patient supervision and interpretations of the tests are proposed. [source] Majority of children aged 3 years and above can reliably inhale through the ClickhalerPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Shaique M. Iqbal MRCPCH Abstract Guidelines suggest that pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI) plus spacers are the delivery system of choice for children. However, they are bulky, which makes them inconvenient. It was suggested that the smaller dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) may be suitable for delivering short-acting bronchodilators to preschool children. This study considered whether preschool children could reliably generate sufficient inspiratory flows to use the Clickhaler DPI. Twenty-seven asthmatic and 34 nonasthmatic children, aged 2,5 years, were recruited. Following training, they were asked to inhale four times through a Clickhaler flow monitoring system, twice "steadily" and twice "forcefully." Inspiratory flow data were collected during each inhalation. Of the 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old asthmatics, 62.5, 100, and 100%, respectively, could reliably differentiate between inhaling and exhaling through the DPI. For nonasthmatics, the figures were 66, 60, and 88%, respectively. All but one of the children who understood the instructions generated a PIF of greater than 15 l/min (range, 13.9,88.3 l/min and 21.2,84.5 l/min in asthmatic and nonasthmatic children, respectively). These data indicate that the majority of children aged 3 years and above could reliably inhale rather than exhale through a dry-powder inhaler, and that they generate inspiratory flows sufficient to use the Clickhaler effectively. The results indicate that the device could be a suitable delivery system for ,2 -agonists in preschool children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:63,68. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A Natural Centre-Left Majority?POLITICS, Issue 1 2003Robin Gray This article concerns the relationship between policy and voter elasticity on either side of the political spectrum as an explanation of the left's post-war political failure. The core contention is that left-oriented voters are more responsive to slight deviations in policy. This is used to explain partially Labour's post-war failure to dominate power even when the ,left's vote' was over 50 per cent. [source] Acceptability of human papillomavirus vaccination among Chinese women: concerns and implicationsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009TTC Kwan Objective, To explore Chinese women's perceptions of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and their intention to be vaccinated. Design, A cross-sectional community-based survey study. Setting, Thirteen community women's health centres of The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong. Sample, A total of 1450 ethnic Chinese women aged 18 or above who attended the health centres. Methods, Participants completed a written consent and an anonymous questionnaire onsite. Main outcome measures, Knowledge and beliefs about HPV and HPV vaccination against cervical cancer and participants' own intention to be vaccinated. Results, About 38% of the participants (n = 527) had heard of HPV and 50% (n = 697) had heard of vaccination against cervical cancer. HPV infection was perceived to be stigmatising and detrimental to intimate, family and social relationships. Despite misconceptions and a grossly inadequate knowledge about HPV and HPV vaccination, 88% of the participants (n = 1219) indicated that they would likely be vaccinated. Majority of the participants believed that sexually experienced women should be vaccinated, while 27% opposed vaccinating sexually naive women. Younger age women who perceived a disruptive impact of HPV infection on intimate relationship and their partners' approval were significantly associated with a positive intention to be HPV vaccinated. Conclusions, The easy acceptability of HPV vaccination among the mostly sexually experienced Chinese participants and their knowledge deficit on the subject may implicate potential misuse of the vaccines and a false sense of security against cervical cancer. There is a dire need for culturally sensitive and tailored education for the public, women of different ages and their partners about HPV and HPV vaccination. Emphasis must be placed on the prophylactic nature of the current vaccines, the uncertain effects when given to sexually experienced women, the importance of adolescent vaccination and the need for continued cervical screening whether vaccinated or not. [source] European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting network (EAPRASnet): a multi-national general paediatric research network for better child healthCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2010S. Del Torso Abstract Background In 2008, the European Academy of Paediatrics launched a paediatric-based research network , EAPRASnet (European Academy of Paediatrics Research in Ambulatory Setting network). The network has recruited primary care and general paediatricians from European and Mediterranean countries. Methods Every paediatrician joining the network has been asked to complete a recruitment survey. The aims of the survey were to characterize paediatrician's demographics, practice arrangements and patient's demographics, to define main incentives for research, and to learn what paediatricians view as unsolved issues that need to be studied. Results A total of 156 paediatricians from 19 countries were recruited with 144 completing the questionnaire (92%). Majority of respondents (89%) were general paediatricians for more than half of their time. Practice arrangement of 47% of paediatricians was solo practice, with 40% in group practice. Electronic medical records were being used by 72% of respondents. Over 70% of the paediatricians had more than 1000 patients under their clinical care, and patients younger than 6 years old contributed nearly half of the patient population. Areas of most interest for research were: quality of care indicators, communication with parents, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and effective well child care. Main incentives for participation in a research project were interest in the topic (81%) and effort to improve quality of care (71%). Lack of time was the leading reported obstacle for research activity (72%). EAPRASnet is growing, and the network's structure, operation and funding are described. Methods for joining the network and the process of study development are presented. Conclusion A core group of EAP general paediatricians are committed to research in their practices. The information gathered will serve for future planning of research projects in the EAPRASnet to harmonize and optimize the care given to children in the primary care setting in Europe. [source] University faculty perceptions of the health risks related to cigarettes and smokeless tobaccoDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 2 2010NICHOLAS PEIPER Abstract Introduction and Aims. It is now widely understood by tobacco research and policy experts that smokeless tobacco (ST) use confers significantly less risk than smoking, but no studies have assessed tobacco risk perceptions in highly educated populations. The purpose of this study was to explore the perception of risks related to smoking and ST use among full-time faculty on two campuses at the University of Louisville. Design and Methods. In October 2007, a survey that quantified risk perceptions of cigarette smoking and ST use with respect to four health domains (general health, heart attack/stroke, all cancer, oral cancer) was sent to 1610 full-time faculty at the Belknap and the Health Sciences Center (HSC) campuses of the University of Louisville, and 597 (37%) returned a completed survey. Results. Overall, cigarettes were considered as high risk for all health domains by large majorities (75,97%). Except for heart attack/stroke, ST was also considered as high risk by the majority of faculty (69,87%), and at least half perceived cigarettes and ST to be equally harmful across all domains. HSC faculty had somewhat more accurate risk perceptions than Belknap faculty for ST, but both groups overestimated the risks, especially for oral cancer. Discussion and Conclusions. This study found that the risks of ST use are overestimated and conflated to that of cigarettes among highly educated professionals, demonstrating the need for better education about the risks of tobacco use and for communication of accurate information by health organisations and agencies.[Peiper N, Stone R, Van Zyl R & Rodu B. University faculty perceptions of the health risks related to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Drug Alcohol Rev 2010] [source] When is a minority a minority?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Active versus passive minority advocacy, social influence Some conceptions of minority influence have stressed the impact of the mere existence of an unpopular, deviant position. Others (e.g. Moscovici, 1980) have emphasized the active opposition of a committed minority to a powerful majority. An active advocate is defined as one that is aware of the level of support for his/her position, expresses his/her position openly, and whose outcomes may depend on others' agreement/disagreement. In the present study, the potential moderating role of an advocates' active/passive status on opinion change was examined. When the issue was highly relevant to the target of influence, all that mattered was the quality of the source's arguments (i.e. majority, minority, active source,=,passive source). When the issue was not highly relevant to the target, though, active and passive sources had different impact: (1) active sources prompted attention to argument quality (for minorities) and heuristic compliance (for majorities); (2) passive sources prompted insensitivity to both the popularity of the position and to the quality of the source's arguments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Democracy, Islam and Dialogue: The Case of TurkeyGOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION, Issue 4 2005Bora Kanra The November 2002 general elections in Turkey produced an Islamic-leaning government, supported by one of the biggest majorities, bringing the relationship between Islam and democracy under scrutiny. This paper examines the nature of this relationship and the current political situation in Turkey. It argues that Turkey's long-running aspiration for democratization has now a reasonable chance of success. This argument is supported by the findings of a Q study, conducted in Turkey during the 2002 election campaign, indicating strong support for dialogue, particularly within the Turkish Muslim community. Yet, it will also argue that turning this possibility into a success depends on the implementation of the right deliberative framework. Habermas's discourse theory of democracy provides the essentials for this. However, particularly in the context of a divided society, like Turkey, it has to be complemented with a better emphasis on deliberation as a social learning process, as in Dryzek's theory of discursive democracy. [source] Privacy and Commercial Use of Personal Data: Policy Developments in the United StatesJOURNAL OF CONTINGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2003Priscilla Regan In the online and offline worlds, the value of personal information , especially information about commercial purchases and preferences , has long been recognised. Exchanges and uses of personal information have also long sparked concerns about privacy. Public opinion surveys consistently indicate that overwhelming majorities of the American public are concerned that they have lost all control over information about themselves and do not trust organisations to protect the privacy of their information. Somewhat smaller majorities favour federal legislation to protect privacy. Despite public support for stronger privacy protection, the prevailing policy stance for over thirty years has been one of reluctance to legislate and a preference for self-regulation by business to protect privacy. Although some privacy legislation has been adopted, policy debates about the commercial uses of personal information have been dominated largely by business concerns about intrusive government regulation, free speech and the flow of commercial information, costs, and effectiveness. Public concerns about privacy, reflected in public opinion surveys and voiced by a number of public interest groups, are often discredited because individuals seem to behave as though privacy is not important. Although people express concern about privacy, they routinely disclose personal information because of convenience, discounts and other incentives, or a lack of understanding of the consequences. This disconnect between public opinion and public behaviour has been interpreted to support a self-regulatory approach to privacy protections with emphasis on giving individuals notice and choice about information practices. In theory the self-regulatory approach also entails some enforcement mechanism to ensure that organisations are doing what they claim, and a redress mechanism by which individuals can seek compensation if they are wronged. This article analyses the course of policy formulation over the last twenty years with particular attention on how policymakers and stakeholders have used public opinion about the commercial use of personal information in formulating policy to protect privacy. The article considers policy activities in both Congress and the Federal Trade Commission that have resulted in an emphasis on "notice and consent." The article concludes that both individual behaviour and organisational behaviour are skewed in a privacy invasive direction. People are less likely to make choices to protect their privacy unless these choices are relatively easy, obvious, and low cost. If a privacy protection choice entails additional steps, most rational people will not take those steps. This appears logically to be true and to be supported by behaviour in the physical world. Organisations are unlikely to act unilaterally to make their practices less privacy invasive because such actions will impose costs on them that are not imposed on their competitors. Overall then, the privacy level available is less than what the norms of society and the stated preferences of people require. A consent scheme that is most protective of privacy imposes the largest burden on the individual, as well as costs to the individual, while a consent scheme that is least protective of privacy imposes the least burden on the individual, as well as fewer costs to the individual. Recent experience with privacy notices that resulted from the financial privacy provisions in Gramm-Leach-Bliley supports this conclusion. Finally, the article will consider whether the terrorist attacks of 11 September have changed public opinion about privacy and what the policy implications of any changes in public opinion are likely to be. [source] The impact of state governance structures on management and performance of public organizations: A study of higher education institutionsJOURNAL OF POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2004Jack H. Knott Legislative statutes are passed by political majorities which support structures that insulate the implementing agency from its political opponents over time. Political actors also respond to different constituencies. Depending on the broad or narrow base of these constituencies, actors favor different kinds of governance structures. We apply this theoretical framework to the question of whether the state governance structures of boards of higher education affect the way university managers allocate resources, develop sources of revenue, and promote research and undergraduate education. Over the past two decades state governments have given considerable attention to state governance issues, resulting in many universities operating in a more regulated setting today. This paper develops a classification of higher education structures and shows the effects of differences in these structures on university management and performance using a data set that covers the period from 1987 to 1998. The analysis suggests that, for most of the measures, productivity and resources are higher at universities with a statewide board that is more decentralized and has fewer regulatory powers. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||