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Multidisciplinary Research (multidisciplinary + research)
Selected AbstractsToxicity Evaluation for Safe Use of Nanomaterials: Recent Achievements and Technical ChallengesADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009Saber M. Hussain Abstract Recent developments in the field of nanotechnology involving the synthesis of novel nanomaterials (NM) have attracted the attention of numerous scientists owing to the possibility of degradative perturbations in human health. This Review evaluates previous investigations related to NM toxicity studies using biological models and describes the limitations that often prevent toxicologists from identifying whether NM pose a real hazard to human health. One major limitation to assess toxicity is the characterization of the NM prior to and after exposure to living cells or animals. The most relevant physicochemical characteristics of NM are: size, surface chemistry, crystallinity, morphology, solubility, aggregation tendency, homogeneity of dispersions, and turbidity. All of these properties need to be assessed in order to determine their contribution to toxicity. Due to the lack of appropriate methods to determine the physicochemical nature of nanoparticles in biological systems, the exact nature of NM toxicity is not fully described or understood at this time. This Review emphasizes the need for state-of-the-art physicochemical characterization, the determination of appropriate exposure protocols and reliable methods for assessing NM internalization and their kinetics in living organisms. Once these issues are addressed, optimal experimental conditions could be established in order to identify if NM pose a threat to human health. Multidisciplinary research between materials scientists and life scientists should overcome these limitations in identifying the true hazards of NM. [source] Underarm cosmetics and breast cancerJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 2 2003P. D. Darbre Abstract Although risk factors are known to include the loss of function of the susceptibility genes BRCA1/BRCA2 and lifetime exposure to oestrogen, the main causative agents in breast cancer remain unaccounted for. It has been suggested recently that underarm cosmetics might be a cause of breast cancer, because these cosmetics contain a variety of chemicals that are applied frequently to an area directly adjacent to the breast. The strongest supporting evidence comes from unexplained clinical observations showing a disproportionately high incidence of breast cancer in the upper outer quadrant of the breast, just the local area to which these cosmetics are applied. A biological basis for breast carcinogenesis could result from the ability of the various constituent chemicals to bind to DNA and to promote growth of the damaged cells. Multidisciplinary research is now needed to study the effect of long-term use of the constituent chemicals of underarm cosmetics, because if there proves to be any link between these cosmetics and breast cancer then there might be options for the prevention of breast cancer. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Feminism Spoken Here: Epistemologies for Interdisciplinary Development ResearchDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 3 2006Cecile Jackson Development studies is a field characterized by an unusual degree of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, and therefore is constantly subject both to pressures for the reproduction of disciplines as autonomous and self-sufficient, and to an increasing steer from public funders of research for interdisciplinary work which is valued for its problem-solving character and more apparent relevance, in an era greatly exercised by accountability. At a moment when the need to renew disciplinary interchange has intensified it is therefore instructive to consider the social relations which facilitate interdisciplinarity. This article does this through an argument that feminist cross-disciplinary research shows how important shared values are to motivate and sustain these kinds of learning, and that an explicit focus on social justice as the core of development research can be the basis of such a renewal. If feminist interactions and solidarity provide the motivation, feminist epistemologies provide arguments for why socially engaged research is not ,biased', but stronger than research with narrower ideas of objectivity; why reflexivities and subjectivities are crucial to the conduct of research; and how these, and the convergence of concepts of individuals and persons favoured within different disciplines, might build the common ground required for greater disciplinary interchange. [source] Metal/Ceramic Interface Properties and Their Effects on SOFC DevelopmentFUEL CELLS, Issue 6 2009F. Tietz Abstract Development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) involves multidisciplinary research, which needs input from many directions. As an example, this contribution describes the influence of basic metallurgical experiments on the selection or the modification of specific materials used in SOFCs. Wettability studies, although typically regarded as model experiments, give clear indications of the combinations of materials, which show better compatibility and might be more successfully integrated in SOFC designs, especially when metal/ceramic interfaces are involved. Various material combinations, i.e. anode cermets, glass/steel and ceramic/silver/steel compounds, are discussed in more detail showing the impact of fundamental studies on the SOFC development actually applied. This work gives a short overview on the basic aspects of selected material combinations. [source] A modular approach to addressing model design, scale, and parameter estimation issues in distributed hydrological modellingHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 2 2002G. H. Leavesley Abstract A modular approach to model design and construction provides a flexible framework in which to focus the multidisciplinary research and operational efforts needed to facilitate the development, selection, and application of the most robust distributed modelling methods. A variety of modular approaches have been developed, but with little consideration for compatibility among systems and concepts. Several systems are proprietary, limiting any user interaction. The US Geological Survey modular modelling system (MMS) is a modular modelling framework that uses an open source software approach to enable all members of the scientific community to address collaboratively the many complex issues associated with the design, development, and application of distributed hydrological and environmental models. Implementation of a common modular concept is not a trivial task. However, it brings the resources of a larger community to bear on the problems of distributed modelling, provides a framework in which to compare alternative modelling approaches objectively, and provides a means of sharing the latest modelling advances. The concepts and components of the MMS are described and an example application of the MMS, in a decision-support system context, is presented to demonstrate current system capabilities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Nursing and midwifery research in Scotland: from partnership to collaborationINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 2 2006T. Fyffe mmed ed Nurses and midwives form the workforce that provides the greatest proportion of direct care to service users. They have the ability to make a significant impact not only on the quality and outcomes of patient care, but also on service users' and carers' perceptions of the care experience. It is therefore vital that nursing and midwifery practice has a robust knowledge and evidence base. The Scottish Executive Health Department, in partnership with other key stakeholders, launched in 2004 an £8 million funding package for research and development capacity and capability initiatives for nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions. This article seeks to describe the process of engagement and partnership building that enabled this scheme to be developed. It will attempt to illustrate how the convergence of political, policy and professional agendas has provided the opportunity for nurses and midwives to set a direction of travel for research and development that will enable them to become key players within multidisciplinary research at United Kingdom and international levels. [source] Advanced oxidation processes for water treatment: advances and trends for R&DJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Christos Comninellis Abstract Advanced oxidation comprises a range of similar but different chemical processes aimed at tackling pollution in water, air and soil. Over the past few decades, multidisciplinary research has been carried out to study a broad spectrum of topics such as understanding of process fundamentals, elucidation of kinetics and mechanisms, development of new materials, modelling, process integration and scale-up. This article identifies and discusses certain directions that seem to advance R&D on advanced oxidation for water/wastewater treatment. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Automatic mining of the literature to generate new hypotheses for the possible link between periodontitis and atherosclerosis: lipopolysaccharide as a case studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Kristina M. Hettne Abstract Aim: The aim of the current report was to generate and explore new hypotheses into how, in a pathophysiological sense, atherosclerosis and periodontitis could be linked. Material and Methods: Two different biomedical informatics techniques were used: an association-based technique that generated a ranked list of genes associated with the diseases, and a natural language processing tool that extracted the relationships between the retrieved genes and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: This combined approach of association-based and natural language processing-based literature mining identified a hit list of 16 candidate genes, with PON1 as the primary candidate. Conclusions: Further study of the literature prompted the hypothesis that PON1 might connect periodontitis with atherosclerosis in both an LPS-dependent and a non-LPS-dependent manner. Furthermore, the resulting genes not only confirmed already known associations between the two diseases, but also provided genes or gene products that have only been investigated separately in the two disease states, and genes or gene products previously reported to be involved in atherosclerosis. These findings remain to be investigated through clinical studies. This example of multidisciplinary research illustrates how collaborative efforts of investigators from different fields of expertise can result in the discovery of new hypotheses. [source] Some multidisciplinary techniques used in MIC studiesMATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 7 2006W. Wang Abstract This paper presents a review of the application of microbiological methods, chemical analysis and surface analysis techniques in studying the microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) process of metals and their alloys. As a multidisciplinary research, some techniques used to study biofilm-related problems are also discussed in this paper, as potential tools in this field. [source] Comprehensive review of the records of the biota of the Indian Seas and introduction of non-indigenous speciesAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 2 2005D.V. Subba Rao Abstract 1.Comparison of the pre-1960 faunal survey data for the Indian Seas with that for the post-1960 period showed that 205 non-indigenous taxa were introduced in the post-1960 period; shipping activity is considered a plausible major vector for many of these introductions. 2.Of the non-indigenous taxa, 21% were fish, followed by Polychaeta (<11%), Algae (10%), Crustacea (10%), Mollusca (10%), Ciliata (8%), Fungi (7%), Ascidians (6%) and minor invertebrates (17%). 3.An analysis of the data suggests a correspondence between the shipping routes between India and various regions. There were 75 species common to the Indian Seas and the coastal seas of China and Japan, 63 to the Indo-Malaysian region, 42 to the Mediterranean, 40 and 34 to western and eastern Atlantic respectively, and 41 to Australia and New Zealand. A further 33 species were common to the Caribbean region, 32 to the eastern Pacific, 14 and 24 to the west and east coasts of Africa respectively, 18 to the Baltic, 15 to the middle Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, and 10 to the Brazilian coast. 4.The Indo-Malaysian region can be identified as a centre of xenodiversity for biota from Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Philippines and Australian regions. 5.Of the introduced species, the bivalve Mytilopsis sallei and the serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus have become pests in the Indian Seas, consistent with the Williamson and Fitter ,tens rule'. Included amongst the biota with economic impact are nine fouling and six wood-destroying organisms. 6.Novel occurrences of the human pathogenic vibrios, e.g. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-01 Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio mimicus and the harmful algal bloom species Alexandrium spp. and Gymnodinium nagasakiense in the Indian coastal waters could be attributed to ballast water introductions. 7.Introductions of alien biota could pose a threat to the highly productive tropical coastal waters, estuaries and mariculture sites and could cause economic impacts and ecological surprises. 8.In addition to strict enforcement of a national quarantine policy on ballast water discharges, long-term multidisciplinary research on ballast water invaders is crucial to enhance our understanding of the biodiversity and functioning of the ecosystem. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Involving older people in community-based research: Developing a guiding framework for researchers and community organisationsAUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING, Issue 1 2009Jeni Warburton The purpose of this paper is to outline the development of a guiding framework for both researchers and community organisations seeking to involve older people in research. Such a framework is needed to facilitate good quality, multidisciplinary research that can be used to inform policy and practice responses to the challenges of ageing. There is increased recognition that involving older people in the research process can lead to increased benefits for all involved. The guidelines outlined below put forward the following six principles: (i) acknowledge research as a process; (ii) clarify roles and levels of involvement; (iii) communicate effectively; (iv) recognise different expectations; (v) recognise difference; and (vi) ensure representativeness and diversity. These guidelines are now being promoted through the ARC/NHMRC Research Network in Ageing Well and collaborating stakeholder organisations that will be working together to implement these principles in future research involving older people. [source] | ||||||||||||||||