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New System (new + system)
Selected AbstractsSpecific Caries Index: A New System for Describing Untreated Dental Caries Experience in Developing CountriesJOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2006Shashidhar Acharya MDS Abstract Objectives:To develop a reproducible surface-specific caries index that provided qualitative and quantitative information about untreated dental caries, that could be used in conjunction with the DMFS index and would provide information on not only the caries prevalence but also the location and type of caries lesion in an individual based on clinical examination. Methods:Untreated carious lesions were divided into six types based on the location of the lesions.339 rural school children in the age group of 12,15 years were examined for dental caries using both the DMFS index and the Specific Caries Index. Results:Type 1 and 2 were found to be the most common type of caries lesions. The reproducibility of the Specific Caries Index was also found to be good. Conclusions:Encouraging indications about the validity and reproducibility of this new caries index was found, suggesting the need for further studies to test its applicability in larger and different populations. [source] Color difference formulas: An unsatisfactory state of affairsCOLOR RESEARCH & APPLICATION, Issue 4 2008Rolf G. Kuehni Abstract Color difference formulas are of considerable importance in production control of colored materials, as they offer a kind of quantitative numerical method to predict perceived differences. Current formulas are based on various sets of empirical difference perception data established with different kinds of materials, under different evaluation conditions, and with different observer panels. The best current formulas predict the average of these perceptual data only with an accuracy of about 65%, a PF/3 value of about 35 (zero being optimal). This article argues that this is an unsatisfactory state of affairs and proposes the development of new uniformly established perceptual data and a new formula/system that predicts the visual results, statistically verified to represent the world-average observer, with an accuracy of 95%, a PF/3 value (or appropriate improved measure) of 5 or lower. Such a multiyear effort requires a solid experimental plan and a consortium supported by Government and industry to achieve its goal. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 324,329, 2008. [source] Real-time simulation of watery paintCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 3-4 2005Tom Van Laerhoven Abstract Existing work on applications for thin watery paint is mostly focused on automatic generation of painterly-style images from input images, ignoring the fact that painting is a process that intuitively should be interactive. Efforts to create real-time interactive systems are limited to a single paint medium and results often suffer from a trade-off between real-timeness and simulation complexity. We report on the design of a new system that allows the real-time, interactive creation of images with thin watery paint. We mainly target the simulation of watercolor, but the system is also capable of simulating gouache and Oriental black ink. The motion of paint is governed by both physically based and heuristic rules in a layered canvas design. A final image is rendered by optically composing the layers using the Kubelka,Munk diffuse reflectance model. All algorithms that participate in the dynamics phase and the rendering phase of the simulation are implemented on graphics hardware. Images made with the system contain the typical effects that can be recognized in images produced with real thin paint, like the dark-edge effect, watercolor glazing, wet-on-wet painting and the use of different pigment types. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fast, Exact, Linear BooleansCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 5 2009Gilbert Bernstein Abstract We present a new system for robustly performing Boolean operations on linear, 3D polyhedra. Our system is exact, meaning that all internal numeric predicates are exactly decided in the sense of exact geometric computation. Our BSP-tree based system is 16-28× faster at performing iterative computations than CGAL's Nef Polyhedra based system, the current best practice in robust Boolean operations, while being only twice as slow as the non-robust modeler Maya. Meanwhile, we achieve a much smaller substrate of geometric subroutines than previous work, comprised of only 4 predicates, a convex polygon constructor, and a convex polygon splitting routine. The use of a BSP-tree based Boolean algorithm atop this substrate allows us to explicitly handle all geometric degeneracies without treating a large number of cases. [source] Seismic isolation of buildings with sliding concave foundation (SCF)EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 1 2003M. Hamidi Abstract In this paper, a new base isolation system, namely the sliding concave foundation (SCF), is introduced and the behaviour of the buildings using such a system is theoretically investigated. A building supported on the new system behaves like a compound pendulum during seismic excitation. The pendulum behaviour accompanied by the large radius of foundation curvature shifts the fundamental period of the system to a high value (e.g. more than 8sec), in a frequency range where none of the previously recorded earthquakes had considerable energy. This results in a large decrease in the structural responses. Since small friction forces are essential on the contact surfaces, PTFE sheets can be used as sliding surfaces. Although the pure frictional sliding systems have the same efficiency as the SCF, in reducing the responses of the superstructure, the main advantage of the new system is a significant decrease in sliding displacement. The performance of the SCF subjected to a number of harmonic and non-harmonic base excitations is studied and its ability to reduce the structural responses is examined. Some numerical examples are solved for a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) structure and the responses are compared with the responses of the same SDOF structure on a fixed base or a pure frictional sliding support system. The comparisons confirm the effectiveness of the new system. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Development of an identification system for location of free metallic particles in GIS based on analysis of Lamb wavesELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 3 2009Masahiro Kozako Abstract We investigated propagation properties of Lamb waves in a gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) tank to diagnose insulation performance of GIS. The acoustic signals excited by a free metallic particle colliding with the tank sheath were measured using AE sensors. The wavelet transform was applied to decompose the wave data into its time,frequency components. As a result, difference of propagation properties of Lamb waves is clearly seen with different sizes of GIS tank. Based on the characteristics of Lamb waves, algorithms for location identification of a free metallic particle were examined in model GIS using two AE sensors. Herein, we propose a new system for location identification of a free metallic particle in GIS. Moreover, it is verified that the new identification system is suitable as a diagnostic technique for GIS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(3): 28,35, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20676 [source] New plant protection information system in Hungary,EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2000A. Pákozdi Data on the occurrence and spread of pests has been supplied by the Hungarian Plant Protection Organization for over 40 years. Since the 1970s, this service has been operated by the central station and the 20 county stations of the Plant Protection Organization. Data recorded on pest occurrence and developmental stage of pests and plants has been used to run a forecasting system at local and national levels. However, because of significant staff reductions in the Plant Protection Organization and the disappearance of independent forecasting groups, the reliability of the system, which was based on very specific data, has decreased. It has become necessary to develop a more reliable and flexible computer-aided system (Plant Protection Information System, PPIS), better adjusted to the political and economic changes that have occurred. A major element of the new system, introduced in 1997, is that excessively detailed recording was replaced by a more practical general approach with fewer subjective errors. Specialists from the county stations of the Plant Protection Organization monitor infestation levels of 73 pests in 20 crops using five qualification categories. The results obtained are input into the PPIS program, which processes them into user-friendly charts and maps showing the plant health situation in each county and in the country as a whole, as a basis for taking decisions on plant protection measures. [source] INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN THE MILITARY: SECURING OUR COUNTRY, STARTING WITH THE HOME1FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 2 2009Simeon StammArticle first published online: 13 MAR 200 This Note discusses domestic violence in the military. Currently, in cases of domestic violence in the military, the Case Review Committee uses the Incident Severity Index for Spouse Abuse to determine the severity of abuse. The Case Review Committee uses this index when determining treatment options for the perpetrator of domestic violence. However, this index is extremely inconsistent with the current views and emerging research of domestic violence. This Note identifies the problems with the current system and gives recommendations for ways to improve the system. The Note concludes that a new system would enhance the military's ability to combat domestic violence. [source] South Africa's Workplace Forum system: A Stillborn Experiment in the Democratisation of Work?INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001Geoffrey Wood The 1995 South African Labour Relations Act introduced a system of Workplace Forums, a form of works council. Currently, Forums are only operational in a small minority of workplaces. This article explores the reasons underlying the apparent failure of this new system. [source] The New Accountancy Foundation: A Credible Form of Regulation for UK Listed Company Audit?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDITING, Issue 3 2002Ian P Dewing This paper considers the new system of regulation of the accountancy profession in the UK, based on the Accountancy Foundation. It explores how the system compares with: principles of regulation produced by the Better Regulation Task Force and National Consumer Council; stakeholder perceptions on the nature of an independent regulatory body for UK listed company audit; new and emerging developments arising from the review of competition in professions by the Office of Fair Trading; recommendations of the Company Law Review Steering Group and establishment of the Financial Services Authority; and, events set in train in the UK as a result of the collapse of Enron in the US. The paper concludes it is ironic that the new system, enthusiastically endorsed so recently by government, should be called into question so fundamentally, and so rapidly, by events outside its jurisdiction. [source] A new type of EFHAT power generation system with effective utilization of latent heatINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 13 2005Hongguang Jin Abstract On the basis of synergetic integration of an externally fired humid air turbine (EFHAT) cycle and effective recovery of latent heat from the exhaust gas of gas turbine, we have proposed a new type of EFHAT power generation system with effective utilization of latent heat, different from traditional EFHAT system. Due to use of clean humid air as working substance, latent heat can be recovered and utilized to generate hot water for the humidifier. This will enhance the humidification ability, giving rise to performance improvement of the system. As a result, at the turbine inlet temperature of 1123 K, the thermal efficiency of this new system may be expected to be as high as 47,48%. Additionally, we obtained the analytical expressions of system performance, and disclosed the relative relationship of system efficiency between the new EFHAT system and the pure externally fired power system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A new concept for an osmotic energy converterINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 15 2001A. Seppälä Abstract A new concept for an osmosis power generation system is presented. While the power production of a conventional system is based on continuous, increasing volumetric flow of solution directed to a turbine, the new concept is based on the pressurizing of fluids by osmosis. Two different new concepts were studied. In the first case, the osmotic module consists of the osmotic membranes, fresh water and solution. In the second case, gas is included in the solution part of the module. Consequently, the new system without gas was found to result in more than 2.5 times higher power values than the conventional concept. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A strategy for adding fuzzy types to an object-oriented database systemINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 7 2001N. Marín Fuzzy types have been developed as a new way of managing fuzzy structures. With types of this kind, properties are ordered on different levels of precision or amplitude, according to their relationship with the concept represented by the type. In order to implement this new tool, two different strategies can be followed. On the one hand, a new system incorporating fuzzy types as an intrinsic capability can be developed. On the other hand, a new layer that implements fuzzy types can be added to an existing object-oriented database system (OODB). This paper shows how the typical classes of an OODB can be used to represent a fuzzy type and how the mechanisms of instantiation and inheritance can be modeled using this kind of new type on an OODB. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] Relaxing the universal quantifier of the division in fuzzy relational databasesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 6 2001José Galindo In a previous paper, we presented an approach to calculate relational division in fuzzy databases, starting with the GEFRED model. This work centered on dealing with fuzzy attributes and fuzzy values and only the universal quantifier was taken into account since it is the inherent quantifier in classical relational division. In this paper, we present an extension of that division to relax the universal quantifier. With this new system we can use both absolute quantifiers and relative quantifiers irrespective of how the function of the fuzzy quantifier is defined. We also include a comparison with other fuzzy division approaches to relax the universal quantifier that have been published. Furthermore, in this paper we have extended the fuzzy SQL language to express any kind of fuzzy division. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] The public pension system in Taiwan: Equity issues within and between systemsINTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 1 2010Ai Ju Shao Abstract This article analyses the challenges facing the New Public Service Pension Fund System in Taiwan, China. After less than two decades of operation, this young system is facing financial imbalance and is embroiled in controversy regarding the generosity of its benefits provisions. The article first introduces Taiwan's different systems for old-age security, with a focus on that for general public-sector employees. It then addresses the financial challenges facing the general public-sector pension system, including the rising cost of its benefits for all taxpayers. Finally, a number of possible reform directions are suggested, including lowering benefit levels, making qualifying criteria more stringent, or establishing a new system. With regards to the latter, any proposed new system must seek to satisfy the goal of longer-term financial soundness while realizing optimal fairness among all stakeholders including taxpayers. [source] Healthcare financing reform and the new single payer system in the Republic of Korea: Social solidarity or efficiency?INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY REVIEW, Issue 1 2003Soonman Kwon In July 2000, national health insurance in the Republic of Korea was transformed into a single insurer system. This major reform in healthcare financing resulted from the merger of more than 350 health insurance societies. Inequity in healthcare financing and the chronic financial situation of the health insurance societies for self,employed workers in rural areas have been the driving forces leading to the unified health insurance system. The unique institutional context together with political change opened the window of policy change, and various stakeholders such as politicians, rural self,employed workers, trade unions and civic groups were involved in the healthcare reform process. Fair income assessment of the self,employed and the role of the single insurer as a prudent purchaser of medical care will be vital for the new system to achieve its intended goal and improve social solidarity and efficiency of healthcare. [source] Automation of the East Bench irrigation main canal,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 4 2006Blair L. Stringam automation; écluses; algorithme de contrôle; irrigation Abstract Canal automation equipment in the East Bench Irrigation District in Dillon, Montana, was over 30 years old and needed to be replaced. Portions of the old automation system were salvaged in an attempt to reduce rehabilitation costs. Because wiring diagrams were not available for the old control system, time would have been saved if the old control system were completely removed and replaced with a completely new system. Data communication via radio and bubbler water level sensors proved to be troublesome. After three seasons of operation, problems with the new automation system were corrected, but it became evident that a technician was needed to maintain the system. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Les equipements de fonctionnement automatique des canaux âgés plus de trente ans qui se trouve dans le East Bench Irrigation District à Dillon, Montana, avait besoin de remplacement. Une partie de l'outillage ancien avait été récupérée dans l'espoir de diminuer les frais de réhabilitation. Au fait que diagrammes schématiques du système ancien n'éxistaient plus, on aurait gagné du temps par l'abandon complet de l'ancien système et son remplacement par un nouveau système. La communication d'information scientifique par radio et par instruments d'eau bouillonant, dans le nouveau système, s'est révélée problématique. A la fin de trois années d'opération, les problèmes du nouveau système ont été corrigés, mais on a realisé la nécessité d'un technicien pour maintenir le système. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A President for the European Union: A New Actor in Town?,JCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 2 2007SPYROS BLAVOUKOS In the post-Constitution EU, the rotating Presidency would be replaced by a hybrid system combining a rotating component with the establishment of a permanent President for the European Council. Using a principal-agent framework, we look at the supply and demand for formal leadership in the new system, accounting for the substantial institutional change in the format of the Presidency. We then examine the President's effectiveness and efficiency and discuss whether the President, as a new institutional actor, has the potential to evolve into an autonomous political actor in the EU. Our analysis suggests a discernible though by no means unconditional strengthening of the President's potential for an autonomous political role in the new EU institutional architecture. [source] Resident-oriented care in nursing homes: effects on nursesJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 6 2004Afke J.M.B. Berkhout PhD Background., In a resident-oriented care model the assignment of patients to primary nurses takes place. These primary nurses are responsible for the total nursing care of their patients and make use of the nursing process. According to job demand-control models, these enlarged and enriched jobs can be described in terms of autonomy, job demands and social support, and the presence of these work characteristics has a positive influence on workers' psychological and behavioural outcomes. Aims., This paper reports a study to investigate the extent to which the various features of resident-oriented care were implemented and its effects nurses' on work characteristics and on psychological and behavioural outcomes in three Dutch nursing homes. Methods., In a quasi-experimental design, experimental and control groups were followed over 22 months, using a pretest and two post-tests with questionnaires, interviews and qualitative observations. Results., The quantitative data showed significant increases in resident assignment, the two variables measuring the nursing process and, in the psycho-geriatric experimental group, on resident-oriented tasks. The qualitative data showed that a partly task-oriented division of labour was still used and that the planned delegation of coordination tasks to primary nurses was not fully achieved. Effects on work perceptions were limited. After implementation of the new system, the experimental group showed an increase in job autonomy. Conclusions., The intervention appeared to be only partly successful. Most of the expected results regarding work characteristics and psychological and behavioural outcomes did not materialize. Theoretical and methodological reflections are presented in the light of these findings. [source] Combination of support vector machines (SVM) and near-infrared (NIR) imaging spectroscopy for the detection of meat and bone meal (MBM) in compound feedsJOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS, Issue 7-8 2004J. A. Fernández Pierna Abstract This study concerns the development of a new system to detect meat and bone meal (MBM) in compound feeds, which will be used to enforce legislation concerning feedstuffs enacted after the European mad cow crisis. Focal plane array near-infrared (NIR) imaging spectroscopy, which collects thousands of spatially resolved spectra in a massively parallel fashion, has been suggested as a more efficient alternative to the current methods, which are tedious and require significant expert human analysis. Chemometric classification strategies have been applied to automate the method and reduce the need for constant expert analysis of the data. In this work the performance of a new method for multivariate classification, support vector machines (SVM), was compared with that of two classical chemometric methods, partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN), in classifying feed particles as either MBM or vegetal using the spectra from NIR images. While all three methods were able to effectively model the data, SVM was found to perform substantially better than PLS and ANN, exhibiting a much lower rate of false positive detection. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An evaluation of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber on the system of delivering medicines to patients with diabetesJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 12 2008Nicola Carey BSc Aim., To evaluate the impact of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber on insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agent medication errors and length of stay. Background., The National Health Service has committed to a 40% reduction in the number of drug errors in the use of prescribed medicines. Drug errors in diabetes care are a common cause of significant morbidity and complications. Nurse prescribing creates an opportunity for nurses to improve care for these patients. Design., A quasi-experiment using six wards in a single hospital trust. Methods., Inpatient care of a convenience sample of patients with diabetes was evaluated before (n = 27) and after (n = 29) the intervention of a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber. Prospective data were collected to measure insulin and oral hypoglycaemic medication errors and length of stay. Results., There was a significant reduction in the total number of errors between the pre-intervention and intervention group (mean reduction 21 errors) (p = 0·016). The median length of stay was reduced by three days. The total number of errors and length of stay were affected by admission category (p = 0·0004). Conclusions., A medicines management intervention, provided by a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber, had a positive effect on the system of delivering medicines to patients with diabetes and significantly reduced the number of errors. This reduction had some effect on length of stay. The cost saving was sufficient to finance a Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber post. Relevance to clinical practice., (i) Errors frequently occur in the prescription and administration of medicines to patients with diabetes. (ii) The education of healthcare professionals is a factor contributing to these errors. (iii) Nurse prescribing provides a new system by which to educate patients and staff about their medicines. (iv) A Diabetes Specialist Nurse prescriber can reduce insulin and OHA MEs. This reduction had some effect on LOS. [source] The second educational revolution: rethinking education in the age of technologyJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 1 2010A. Collins Abstract This paper drew upon a recent book (Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology) to summarize a number of prospects and challenges arising from the appropriation of digital technology into learning and educational practice. Tensions between traditional models of schooling and the affordances of digital media were noted, while the promise of these technologies for shaping a new system of education was reviewed. It was argued that new technology brings radical opportunities but also significant challenges. The urgency of seeking a coherent model for the future of education in a technological age was stressed. [source] Flexible system for simulating and tele-operating robots through the internetJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 3 2005F. A. Candelas Simulation and teleoperation tools offer many advantages for the training or learning of technological subjects, such as flexibility in time-tables and student access to expensive and limited equipment. In this paper, we present a new system for simulating and tele-operating robot arms through the Internet, which allows many users to simulate and test positioning commands for a robot by means of a virtual environment, as well as execute the validated commands in a real remote robot of the same characteristics. The main feature of the system is its flexibility in managing different robots or including new robot models and equipment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Virtual passive control of flexible arms with collocated and noncollocated feedbackJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 11 2001Shang-Teh Wu A novel approach to the control of flexible manipulators is proposed. The controller includes both joint-variable and tip-deflection feedback. It is shown that tip-deflection feedback transforms the original structure into new system in which the structure parameters are virtually scaled up or down. The new system can hence be easily stabilized via a strictly passive feedback law. A co-hub, lumped-parameter structure with multiple massless links is first investigated and stability conditions are developed. The results are then applied to a distributed-parameter flexible arm, which is decomposed into an equivalent lumped-parameter structure via a set of modal functions normalized in a particular way. Tip-deflection feedback is shown to be capable of enhancing control performance on a flexible arm, and stability is ensured as long as the gain associated with the noncollocated feedback satisfies a simple inequality. The stability criteria re valid independent of high-order flexible modes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] SPLITTING AND BREAKING OF PISTACHIO NUTS WITH STRIKING AND HEATINGJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2008H.I. CEM BILIM ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heating process and striking on splitting and breaking of pistachio nuts and obtaining their kernels without damage. For this purpose, heating process (350C) was applied to pistachio nuts. Heated nuts were dropped onto the rotating disk and then thrown to strike the wall of the container by centrifuge effect . Striking velocity was adjusted with a rotating disk that was driven by an electrical engine. Three different disk rotations (400, 500 and 600/min) with three different moisture contents of pistachios (6.5, 22.0 and 42.5%) were evaluated in the experiments. Results indicated that the highest splitting rate was obtained as 29.33% at 22.0% moisture content with 400 1/min disk velocity. The most healthy kernel percentage obtained from unsplit pistachio nuts was 25.76% at 6.5% moisture content with 500 1/min disk velocity. Additionally, the study results showed that only the heating process had no affect while heating and crushing combinations increased splitting and obtaining the kernels. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Consumption of healthy foods is very important for human health. Kirmizi variety of pistachio nuts contains a high ratio of unsplit pistachio nuts after harvest. These pistachio nuts are either consumed as appetizers or used in the sweets sector after extracting the inner part (kernel). The economical value of unsplit pistachio nuts is very low. For this reason, pistachio nut processing plants try to split them or extract the inner part without causing any damage. Unsplit pistachio nuts are split by hand or by primitive hand tools, such as hammer or pliers, and then extracted. This method is not healthy. This study is one of the limited studies concerning automatic, quick and economic splitting and extraction of pistachio nuts. After handling problems like splitting and extracting the kernel of pistachio nuts, pistachio nut processing plants will achieve a healthy pistachio nut production. This study offers a new system for healthy pistachio nut production, with low initial cost, lower wages and in less time. [source] Floristics and Plant Biogeography in ChinaJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2008De-Zhu Li Abstract In 1998, a revolutionary system of angiosperm classification, the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system was published. Meanwhile, another new system of classification of angiosperms, the eight-class system was proposed by C. Y. Wu and colleagues based on long term work on the flora of China. The Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae project was initiated in 1959 and completed by 2004. It is the largest Flora so far completed in the world, including 31 228 species of vascular plants, or one-eighth of the global plant diversity. The English-language and updated Flora of China (FOC) is an international joint effort initiated in 1988 and accelerated in 1998. Up to now, 15 of the 24 volumes of the FOC have been published. Based on the floristic data, the composition, characteristics, floristic divisions and affinities of the flora of China have been studied by Wu and colleagues since 1965. In the past 10 years, analyses of the available floristic data have been very productive. The East Asiatic Floristic Kingdom was proposed in 1998. All 346 families of angiosperms in China, according to the eight-class system of classification, were comprehensively discussed by using knowledge of current and historical distribution of seed plants in the world, together with some morphological and molecular data. A scheme of distribution patterns or areal-types of families and genera of seed plants in China was modified and elucidated, together with a proposed scheme of areal-types of the world. Molecular phylogenetic and biogeographical studies of angiosperms in China in the past 10 years also witnessed a progressive development. Integration of morphological and molecular data and fossil evidence revealed some significant results. Eastern Asia, which used to be regarded as an important center of survival during the ice age, is likely an important center of diversification of angiosperms. [source] Cerebral ischemia/stroke and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation , a new target for therapeutic intervention?JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2008Wei Yang Abstract Transient cerebral ischemia/stroke activates various post-translational protein modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitin conjugation that are believed to play a major role in the pathological process triggered by an interruption of blood supply and culminating in cell death. A new system of post-translational protein modification has been identified, termed as small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) conjugation. Like ubiquitin, SUMO is conjugated to the lysine residue of target proteins in a complex process. This review summarizes observations from recent experiments focusing on the effect of cerebral ischemia on SUMO conjugation. Transient global and focal cerebral ischemia both induced a rapid, dramatic and long-lasting rise in levels of SUMO2/3 conjugation. After transient focal cerebral ischemia, SUMO conjugation was particularly prominent in neurons located at the border of the ischemic territory where SUMO-conjugated proteins translocated to the nucleus. Many SUMO conjugation target proteins are transcription factors and sumoylation has been shown to have a major impact on the activity, stability, and cellular localization of target proteins. The rise in levels of SUMO-conjugated proteins is therefore likely to have a major effect on the fate of post-ischemic neurons. The sumoylation process could provide an exciting new target for therapeutic intervention. [source] Benchmarking in nursing care by the RAFAELA patient classification system , a possibility for nurse managersJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 7 2007Dean, LISBETH FAGERSTRÖM PhD Aim, The aim of the study was to explore the possibilities of benchmarking with the RAFAELA system. In this study, comparisons are made between: (1) costs for one nursing care intensity point; (2) the nursing care intensity per nurse; (3) the relationship between nursing care intensity per nurse and (4) the optimal nursing care intensity. Background, During the period from 1994 to 2000 a new system for patient classification, the RAFAELA system, was developed in Finland. Methods, 86 wards from 14 different hospitals in Finland took part in the study. Results, The costs for one nursing care intensity point on the adults' wards were on average 7.80,. The average workload was 25.2 nursing care intensity points per nurse. The optimal nursing care intensity was exceeded during 49.5% of the days and under during 20% of the days. Conclusions, The study shows that benchmarking with the RAFAELA system provides many opportunities for the nurse managers' resource allocation and their personnel administration. [source] Analysis of birth-related medical malpractice litigation cases in Japan: Review and discussion towards implementation of a no-fault compensation systemJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2010Nana Uesugi Abstract Aim:, We examined birth-related malpractice civil litigation cases in Japan to clarify the actual status related to the implementation of an obstetrical no-fault compensation system in 2009. Material & Methods:, In this retrospective review, we analyzed legal and medical information from 64 cases with a delivery date after 1987 and a judgment date between April 1997 and March 2007. Results:, The malpractice claim was accepted in 44 cases and rejected in 20 cases. The period from the delivery to the judgment date was lengthy (90.1 months overall). The average amount of damages awarded was ¥97 810 000 for cases of cerebral palsy (CP). Preterm births and less than 2500 g infants represented a higher incidence rate in the rejected cases. There were 32 cases (50.0%) with CP, 18 (28.1%) with infant death, 10 (15.6%) with neonatal death, and 4 (6.3%) with fetal death. Twenty-three of 44 accepted cases (52.3%) and 11/20 rejected cases (55.0%) had a gestational age of more than 33 weeks at birth and weighed more than 2000 g. Forced deliveries were performed in 45/64 cases (70.3%), and augmentation/induction of labor was performed in 28/64 cases (43.8%). There were 13/16 (81.3%) accepted cases that underwent vacuum and/or forceps extraction after labor augmentation/induction. Conclusions:, More than half of our cases could be sufficient for a no-fault compensation system in Japan. Though the system is considered to have some problems that need to be solved, this finding suggests that many children and their families may benefit from the new system without having to file. [source] A NEW PARADIGM FOR FRESHWATER FRAGILARIOID DIATOM CLASSIFICATION?JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2001A CRITIQUE OF LANGE-BERTALOT'S NEW SYSTEM Morales, E. A.1 & Trainor, F. R.2 1Phycology Section, Patrick Center for Environmental Research, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, PA 19103-1195 USA; 2Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269-3043 USA In a recent study of freshwater diatoms from South America (Rumrich et al. 2000), Lange-Bertalot introduced a new paradigm for the classification of fragilarioid diatoms. This new system is antagonistic to that presented by Williams and Round (1987) because Lange-Bertalot recognizes a marked variability in the characters chosen and a supposed overall continuity of morphological features among the genera created by his English counterparts. Lange-Bertalot then proposes a partitioning of Fragilaria into two genera: Fragilaria and Staurosira mainly based on the presence/absence of rimoportulae and areolate girdle bands. The newly defined Fragilaria includes relatively large phytoplankters such as F. capucina and F. crotonensis. In turn, Staurosira includes, for the most part, small periphytic organisms, and contains several new species that were based on varieties of old Fragilaria taxa. This fragmentation of species and their varieties is based on a supposed morphological discontinuity. As a consequence an apparent increase in species diversity has occurred within the fragilarioid group. The present work analyzes Lange-Bertalot's new paradigm and confronts it with recent LM and SEM evidence. The incorporation of concepts such as plasticity, polymorphism, and parallel evolution in current classification systems is also discussed. It is concluded that Lange-Bertalot's system represents a step backward from that of Williams and Round. Some adjustments in the latter scheme could be sufficient to accommodate the diversity of fragilarioids known at present. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||