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Many Papers (many + paper)
Selected AbstractsMicromorphology of soils derived from volcanic ash in Europe: a review and synthesisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007G. Stoops Summary An analysis of the available literature on European volcanic ash soils has been made. Most has been published in Congress proceedings and Journals of national societies, less than half in English. More than half of the papers deal with soils on the Canary Islands. Many papers focus only on one aspect, and complete descriptions are found only in recent publications. Often the use of vague micromorphological terminology and the absence of analytical data make interpretation and comparisons difficult or impossible. Nonetheless, some general features do emerge. In the least-weathered soils, the micromass forms first coatings around the coarse constituents, later granules, finally giving rise to a loose granular microstructure in the topsoil, and a compacted granular one in the Bw horizons of typic andic materials. The b-fabric of the micromass is undifferentiated. With increasing weathering, clay coatings appear, the microstructure becomes more blocky and the b-fabric becomes speckled or even striated. In Vertisols and Aridisols, micromorphological characteristics are not much different from those in the comparable non-volcanic soils, except generally for the tendency to granular (intrapedal) microstructures. In Icelandic soils, microstratification, lenticular microstructure and preservation of plant residues as a result of cryic conditions and permanent volcanic and aeolian activity are observed. Weathering of volcanic glass in well-drained conditions yields allophane alteromorphs similar to palagonite, which are easily subject to fragmentation by pedoturbation. The possible influence of surface transport and burial on the formation of Bw-horizons in andic materials is discussed. [source] Enhancing the quality of hermeneutic research: decision trailJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 5 2004Lisa Whitehead BSc MA RGN Background., Researchers have ethical and professional obligations to produce research of a high standard. The constituents of quality in research appear to differ between authors, leaving readers unsure about which pathway to follow. This can reflect inadequate consideration of the theoretical framework guiding the study. Many papers fail to consider the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology chosen and the link between these and the methods employed. These need to be accessible to readers in order to assess the trustworthiness of the research. Aim., This paper discusses the development of trustworthiness in hermeneutic phenomenological research. Discussion., Referring to a study on lived experience of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalitis, I describe the decision trail and discuss the strengths and limitations of the choices made throughout the study. Conclusion., The methodology focused my approach more fully on the importance of recognizing the influences that I brought to the study and the impact of these in generating the data. It highlighted the fact that the process of setting out my horizon can never be complete, the importance of analysing the data at a macro and micro level, acknowledging the evolution of the data over time, and ensuring that analysis does not move beyond the data and out of the hermeneutic circle. In seeking to make the decision trail clear to others, researchers must distill the philosophical principles of the methodology and set these out in a way that is accessible and open to scrutiny. [source] Inter-Organizational Knowledge Transfer: Current Themes and Future ProspectsJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 4 2008Mark Easterby-Smith abstract Many papers have been published recently in the fields of strategy and international business research incorporating the role of organizational knowledge as a basis of firm competitive advantage. While such knowledge is normally developed within the firm, it is important that firms possess the ability to learn from others in order to meet the increasing pace of competition. Knowledge transfer, defined here as an event through which one organization learns from the experience of another, has thus become an important research area within the broader domain of organizational learning and knowledge management. This paper presents a theoretical framework, identifies key themes covered by the six articles included in the Special Issue on Inter-Organizational Knowledge Transfer, and then discusses priorities for future research. [source] Comparison of food mixing ability among mandibulectomy patientsJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 6 2008C. KADOTA Summary, Many papers have been published on surgical mandibulectomy and reconstruction. However, only a few reports refer to masticatory function after prosthodontic treatment in mandibulectomy patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the masticatory function of mandibulectomy patients. Twenty-three subjects (10 males and 13 females, with an average age of 63 years) participated in this study: 11 subjects who had undergone unilateral marginal mandibulectomy, six subjects with unilateral segmental mandibulectomy with reconstruction and six subjects with hemimandibulectomy without reconstruction. Mixing Ability Index (MAI) was used to measure masticatory function on the non-defect side and on the defect side with a prosthesis installed. Comparisons were carried out among the marginal, segmental and hemimandibular groups and between the non-defect side and the defect side. Consequently, our study indicates these results. On the non-defect side, a significant difference was found between the marginal and the segmental groups, and between the marginal and the hemimandibular groups. In the marginal and the segmental groups, a significant difference was found between the non-defect and the defect sides. In conclusion, our study suggests that MAI is an adequate tool to study the masticatory function in mandibulectomy patients, the masticatory function of the mandibulectomy patients is more impaired than that of the ordinary removable partial denture patients, and that surgical intervention affects the masticatory function on not only the defect side but also the non-defect side in mandibulectomy patients. [source] Paramedical treatment in primary dystonia: A systematic review,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 15 2009Cathérine C.S. Delnooz MD Abstract Dystonia is a disabling movement disorder with a significant impact on quality of life. The current therapeutic armamentarium includes various drugs, botulinum toxin injections, and occasionally (neuro)surgery. In addition, many patients are referred for paramedical (including allied health care) interventions. An enormous variation in the paramedical treatment is provided, largely because evidence-based, accepted treatment regimes are not available. We have conducted a systematic review of studies that explored the effect of various paramedical interventions in primary dystonia. Only studies that have used clinical outcome measures were included. There were no class A1 or A2 studies and therefore, level 1 or 2 practice recommendations for a specific intervention could not be deducted. Many papers were case reports, mostly with a very limited number of patients and a clear publication bias for beneficial effects of a particular paramedical intervention. Some potentially interesting interventions come from class B studies, which include physical therapy in addition to botulinum toxin injections (BoNT-A) in cervical dystonia; sensorimotor training and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in writer's cramp; and speech therapy added to BoNT-A injections in laryngeal dystonia. Good quality clinical studies are therefore warranted, which should have the aim to be generally applicable. A design in which the paramedical intervention is added to a current gold standard, for example, BoNT-A injections in cervical dystonia, is recommended. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [source] Reviewing the efficacy of changing prophylactic measures for the prevention of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in the management of oral surgery patientsORAL SURGERY, Issue 3 2010C.J. Hanson Abstract Aims:, Many papers postulate treatments for established bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) or advise on ideal long-term strategies to avoid BRONJ. This article demonstrates prophylactic regimes and compares their outcomes when patients' acute symptoms demand active treatments involving bone. It assesses the efficacy of the protocols developed at Dundee Dental Hospital for prophylaxis of BRONJ in the management of patients undergoing oral surgery. Materials and methods:, This prospective study tracked the progress of patients who were treated in the exodontia clinics and had taken, or were taking bisphosphonates. Their consequent recovery was documented over 1, 4, 12 and 24 weeks. The prophylactic protocol followed was recorded. These data were then reviewed for healing, operator, jaw predilection and co-morbidity influences. Results:, In total, 25 patients were treated over the 1 year period of the study 2008,09. This amounted to 33 oral surgery treatments involving 64 extractions. Several protocols had been followed however these were grouped into: antimicrobial or chlorhexidine based protocols. In all cases, complete healing was achieved. Concomitant steroid use and increasing age were the only associated co-morbidities that increased the length of healing time. There were no direct associations of any of the other variables with healing. No prophylactic protocol was superior to another with chlorhexidine rinses proving as efficacious as any of the antibiotic regimes. Conclusion:, For patients taking oral bisphosphonates, simple extractions carried out with minimal trauma by graduate and supervised undergraduate operators with prophylactic chlorhexidine rinses, heal as satisfactorily as those with antibiotic based protocols for prophylaxis. [source] Early detection and intervention in first-episode schizophrenia: a critical reviewACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2001T. K. Larsen Objective: To review the literature on early intervention in psychosis and to evaluate relevant studies. Method: Early intervention was defined as intervention in the prodromal phase (primary prevention) and intervention after the onset of psychosis, i.e. shortening of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) (secondary prevention). Results: We found few studies aimed at early intervention, but many papers discussing the idea at a more general level. We identified no studies that prove that intervention in the prodromal phase is possible without a high risk for treating false positives. We identified some studies aimed at reducing DUP, but the results are ambiguous and, until now, no follow-up data showing a positive effect on prognosis have been presented. Conclusion: Early intervention in psychosis is a difficult and important challenge for the psychiatric health services. At the time being reduction of DUP seems to be the most promising strategy. Intervention in the prodromal phase is more ethically and conceptually problematic. [source] Speed-up and performance evaluation of piecewise-linear DC analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2007Janne RoosArticle first published online: 29 NOV 200 Abstract The good convergence properties of piecewise-linear (PWL) DC analysis have been thoroughly discussed in many papers. This paper, in turn, concentrates on the speed of PWL DC analysis, where the boundary crossing of linear regions plays a crucial role. Fast methods are presented for performing the following boundary-crossing computations: LU-decomposition update, matrix-equation solution, boundary-crossing direction, and damping-factor determination. Special attention is given to those PWL DC analysis methods that perform PWL modelling of the non-linear components on the fly; an adaptive method is proposed for controlling the accuracy of PWL modelling and speeding up simulation. The computational efficiency of the accelerated PWL DC analysis is discussed and compared with that of conventional, Newton,Raphson iteration-based, DC analysis. Finally, the performance evaluation is completed with realistic simulation examples: it is demonstrated that the speed of the accelerated PWL DC analysis is comparable with that of the conventional DC analysis. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Inter-relationships Amongst Grain Characteristics, Grain-Filling Parameters and Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Milling QualityJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 4 2001S. Jongkaewwattana Resistance to breakage is a desirable trait of the rice kernel. Many factors, such as the genetics of the cultivar, the plant growth environment and the conditions of the milling process, will affect kernel breakage. Although many papers have discussed the factors that may affect and improve rice milling quality, few have related the grain-filling process to head rice, the unbroken polished kernels obtained after milling. The objectives of this paper were: (i) to characterize the interrelationships amongst grain filling and grain structural characteristics; (ii) to determine whether the grain-filling process and grain characteristics affect head rice, and (iii) to suggest a pathway through which grain characteristics can influence head rice recovery. An analysis of the interrelationships amongst all grain characteristics suggested that variables of grain structure (size, volume and per cent hull) have a decisive influence on the grain-filling process (rate and duration of grain filling). The grain-filling process will affect final grain traits such as weight and density, which in turn will have a direct impact on head rice. In addition, non-uniformity, whether expressed in terms of variable grain size and shape or grain filling and maturity, has a detrimental effect on rice milling quality. The implication of these findings is that rice breeders need to pay more attention to selecting plant types that have a high degree of uniformity of grain characteristics on the panicle, and to those traits (such as greater grain size, weight and density) that have a positive impact on yield and milling quality. Beziehungen zwischen Korneigenschaften, Kornfüllungsparametern und Reis (Oryza sativa L.)-Vermahlungsqualität Bruchresistenz von Reiskörnern ist eine wünschenswerte Eigenschaft. Viele Faktoren, wie Genetik, Umwelt des Pfanzenwachstums und Voraussetzungen der Vermahlung, beeinflussen die Bruchresistenz der Körner. Obwohl viele Veröffentlichungen die Faktoren diskutieren, die die Mahlqualität beinträchtigen oder verbessern, beziehen sich nur wenige auf den Kornfüllungsvorgang zu ungebrochenen polierten Körner nach dem Mahlvorgang. Ziel der Untersuchungen war es: zu charakterisieren die Beziehungen zwischen Kornfüllung und Kornstruktur; zu bestimmen, ob der Kornfüllungsprozess und Korneigenschaften die Bruchresistenz von Reis beeinflussen können; und vorzuschlagen eine Behandlung durch die Korneigenschaften die Wiedergewinnung von Bruchreis beieinflußt werden kann. Eine Analyse der Beziehungen zwischen den Korneigenschaften weist darauf hin, dass Variable der Kornstruktur (Größe, Umfang und Antiel der Schale) einen deutlichen Einfluß auf den Kornfüllungsprozess haben (Rate und Dauer der Kornfüllung). Der Kornfüllungsprozess beeinflußt Korngewicht und Korndichte, die eine unmittelbare Auswirkung auf ungebrochene Körner nach dem Mahlvorgang haben. Auch Uneinheitlichkeit in Korngröße und Kornform oder Kornfüllung und Kornreife haben einen ungünstigen Einfluß auf die Vermahlungsqualität von Reis. Hieraus ergibt sich der Hinweis, daß Reiszüchter in der Selketion auf einen hohen Grad von Einheitlichkeit der Körner der Rispe und deren Eigenschaften (hohe Korngröße, Korngewicht und Korndichte), die einen Einfluß auf Ertrag und Mahlqualität haben, achten sollten. [source] Duncan's model for X, -control charts: sensitivity analysis to input parametersQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2010Cinzia Mortarino Abstract Duncan's model is a well-known procedure to build a control chart with specific reference to the production process it has to be applied to. Although many papers report true applications proving the procedure's noteworthy economic advantages over control charts set purely on the basis of standard statistical criteria, this method is often perceived only as an academic exercise. Perhaps the greater barrier preventing its practical application stems from the difficulty in making cost items explicit. In this paper a sensitivity analysis is proposed for misspecification in the cost parameters for optimal solutions of Duncan's model. While similar contributions published in the literature perform sensitivity analyses with a one-factor-at-a-time scheme, the original contribution of this paper is represented by the focus given on interactions among changes in values of different cost parameters. The results obtained here denote that all factors significantly affect optimal solutions through quite complicated interactions. This should not, in our opinion, discourage the implementation of Duncan's model, pointing conversely to its robust versions, already available in the current literature. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] This month we are opening a new section entitled ,Laparoscopic and Robotic Urology', and this reflects the many papers we have received about one or other of these topicsBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006JOHN M. FITZPATRICK Editor - in - Chief No abstract is available for this article. [source] | ||||||||||||||||