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Practical Recommendations (practical + recommendation)
Selected AbstractsPractitioner Review: The assessment of language pragmaticsTHE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 8 2002Catherine Adams Background: The assessment of pragmatics expressed in spoken language is a central issue in the evaluation of children with communication impairments and related disorders. A developmental approach to assessment has remained problematic due to the complex interaction of social, linguistic, cognitive and cultural influences on pragmatics. Method: A selective review and critique of current formal and informal testing methods and pragmatic analytic procedures. Results: Formal testing of pragmatics has limited potential to reveal the typical pragmatic abnormalities in interaction but has a significant role to play in the assessment of comprehension of pragmatic intent. Clinical assessment of pragmatics with the pre-school child should focus on elicitation of communicative intent via naturalistic methods as part of an overall assessment of social communication skills. Assessments for older children should include a comprehensive investigation of speech acts, conversational and narrative abilities, the understanding of implicature and intent as well as the child's ability to employ contextual cues to understanding. Practical recommendations are made regarding the choice of a core set of pragmatic assessments and elicitation techniques. The practitioner's attention is drawn to the lack of the usual safeguards of reliability and validity that have persisted in some language pragmatics assessments. Conclusions: A core set of pragmatic assessment tools can be identified from the proliferation of instruments in current use. Further research is required to establish clearer norms and ranges in the development of pragmatic ability, particularly with respect to the understanding of inference, topic management and coherence. [source] Practical guidelines for the management of interferon-,-2b side effects in patients receiving adjuvant treatment for melanomaCANCER, Issue 5 2008Expert opinion Abstract Interferon-,-2b (IFN,2b) is the only effective adjuvant therapy for melanoma patients at high risk of recurrence that has been approved by regulatory authorities worldwide. However, IFN toxicities increase the risk of poor treatment compliance and impair the potential for benefit from this agent. A review of the literature demonstrated little recent attention to supportive care in the management of IFN toxicities. An international group of experts with extensive personal experience in the use of IFNs worked together to develop practical guidelines for the use of IFNs. Practical recommendations were developed for patient education on the use of IFN; initial patient assessment and monitoring, including contraindications to the use of IFN, monitoring and managing adverse events, and IFN dose modification and discontinuation; IFN injection procedures; treatment of elderly patients; and use during pregnancy and nursing. Successful adjuvant therapy of melanoma with high-dose IFN requires close compliance with the treatment regimen. Recommendations for the recognition and management of adverse events are designed to enable more patients to complete the full planned course of treatment. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source] Effects of adult stocking density on egg production and viability in cultures of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa (Dana)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 7 2007Per M Jepsen Abstract The effect of stocking density of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa was evaluated in a 96 h rearing experiment. Possible density-dependent egg production and egg viability were analysed at stocking densities of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 adults L,1. Temperature, oxygen saturation and algal concentration were kept optimal. A non-density-dependent mortality rate of 15,19% day,1 was documented. A non-significant density-dependent egg production was observed between 100 and 600 adults L,1. The average egg production was 22.5±8.8 egg female,1 day,1 in all densities. The average egg hatching success was 84.7±4.8% and was never observed below 76.1%, with no significant differences across the stocking densities. Conclusively, as a practical recommendation for the aquaculture industry, copepod cultures with densities ranging from 100 to 600 adults L,1 and presumably even more dense cultures are possible with the studied species obtaining a steady egg production and still high egg viability. [source] Cutaneous melanoma: therapeutic lymph node and elective lymph node dissections, lymphatic mapping, and sentinel lymph node biopsyDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 6 2005David B. Pharis ABSTRACT:, Early clinical observation in cancer patients suggested that tumors spread in a methodical, stepwise fashion from the primary site, to the regional lymphatics, and only then to distant locations. Based on these observations, the regional lymphatics were believed to be mechanical barriers, at least temporarily preventing the widespread dissemination of tumor. Despite evidence now available disputing its validity, this barrier theory has guided the surgical management of the regional lymphatics in cancer patients for more than a century, influencing the use of such surgical modalities as therapeutic lymph node dissection, elective lymph node dissection, and most recently lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy. No published randomized controlled trial exists that demonstrates improved overall patient survival for cancer of any type, including melanoma, after surgical excision of regional lymphatics. This article will review the biology of lymphatics as it relates to regional tumor metastasis, and based on available information, offer practical recommendations for the clinical dermatologist and their patients who have cutaneous melanoma. [source] Electrical Conductance in Biological MoleculesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 12 2010M. Waleed Shinwari Abstract Nucleic acids and proteins are not only biologically important polymers. They have recently been recognized as novel functional materials surpassing conventional materials in many aspects. Although Herculean efforts have been undertaken to unravel fine functioning mechanisms of the biopolymers in question, there is still much more to be done. Here the topic of biomolecular charge transport is presented with a particular focus on charge transfer/transport in DNA and protein molecules. The experimentally revealed details, as well as the presently available theories, of charge transfer/transport along these biopolymers are critically reviewed and analyzed. A summary of the active research in this field is also given, along with a number of practical recommendations. [source] PENTA 2009 guidelines for the use of antiretroviral therapy in paediatric HIV-1 infectionHIV MEDICINE, Issue 10 2009PENTA Steering Committee PENTA Guidelines aim to provide practical recommendations for treating children with HIV infection in Europe. Changes to guidance since 2004 have been informed by new evidence and by expectations of better outcomes following the ongoing success of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Participation in PENTA trials of simplifying treatment is encouraged. The main changes are in the following sections: ,When to start ART': Treatment is recommended for all infants, and at higher CD4 cell counts and percentages in older children, in line with changes to adult guidelines. The number of age bands has been reduced to simplify and harmonize with other paediatric guidelines. Greater emphasis is placed on CD4 cell count in children over 5 years, and guidance is provided where CD4% and CD4 criteria differ. ,What to start with': A three-drug regimen of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) with either a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or a boosted protease inhibitor (PI) remains the first choice combination. Lamivudine and abacavir are the NRTI backbone of choice for most children, based on long-term follow-up in the PENTA 5 trial. Stavudine is no longer recommended. Whether to start with an NNRTI or PI remains unclear, but PENPACT 1 trial results in 2009 may help to inform this. All PIs should be ritonavir boosted. Recommendations on use of resistance testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and HLA testing draw from data in adults and from European paediatric cohort studies. Recently updated US and WHO paediatric guidelines provide more detailed review of the evidence base. Differences between guidelines are highlighted and explained. [source] Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors in the treatment of premature ejaculationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 5 2006W. F. Wang Summary To date, there is no FDA-approved therapy for premature ejaculation (PE). Recently, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5 -Is) have been demonstrated to have encouraging results in the treatment of PE by a few studies. The aim of this review was to assess the updated manuscripts and thereafter present the practical recommendations and possible mechanisms concerning PDE5 -Is for treating PE. Using MEDLINE, we searched and assessed the peer manuscripts published from 1 January 1996 to 1 September 2005 about PDE5 -Is for treating PE. The results show that the number of patients in all the reports is very few and most of the studies do not employ double-blinded and placebo-controlled tests, though they are prospective and randomized. Therefore, the results and conclusions might be biased. PDE5 -Is are suggested to be used in PE with old age or associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), or to be employed alone or in combination with selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) when SSRIs fail to treat PE; behavioural therapy is proposed to be used for preventing the recurrence of PE following withdrawal of PDE5 -Is. In addition, for the PE patient with a definite aetiological cause, the aetiology should be cured first, if PE still exists, followed by PDE-Is prescription. Possible mechanisms that are involved include relaxing the smooth muscles of vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate and urethra; decreasing the central sympathetic output; inducing peripheral analgesia; prolonging the duration of erection; and increasing confidence, the perception of ejaculatory control, overall sexual satisfaction, and decreasing the post-orgasmic refractory time to achieve a second erection after ejaculation. Well-designed multicentre studies are urgently warranted to further elucidate the efficacies and safety as well as mechanisms of PDE5 -Is in the treatment of PE. [source] A qualitative investigation into the donor lapsing experienceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 4 2009Amber Nathan Donor attrition is costing charities a fortune. Previous research has examined the relative importance of the antecedents to donor loyalty versus lapsing. This study qualitatively builds on this. It reports the results of workshops and interviews that took lapsers and donors back through their donor and lapser journeys. It drills down into and unpacks their experiences,inclusive of the (previously undocumented) lapsing experience itself. It reveals striking similarities between the cancellation of a direct debit and other more conventional purchase decisions. Most worryingly, it seems that most people stop supporting a given charity because they had never really had any loyalty to it in the first place. Charities are not meeting people's needs as donors. There is a distinct lack of understanding between charities and their donors, and donors are lapsing because charities give them little reason to stay. The authors conclude with practical recommendations for the management of attrition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Design and comparison of turbo codes under frame-length and code-rate constraintsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NETWORKING, Issue 3 2006Franco Chiaraluce Abstract When the performances of error-correcting codes for space communications are investigated, with the aim to translate them into practical recommendations, comparison among different schemes is usually a very difficult task. As a matter of fact, these comparisons rarely yield general conclusions. On the other hand, most practical space applications impose strong constraints on the code parameters, which have important effects on code selection. In this paper, we show a methodology and several examples of design and comparison, derived under fixed constraints imposed by the system application on the frame-length and the code-rate. CCSDS Earth observation missions requiring both large coding gains and high spectral efficiency are considered as a case study. Though referred to this specific space mission framework, the presented study is quite general and applies to many other digital communication systems; e.g. for wireless or wired applications where similar constraints exist but are often not taken in due consideration by the designer of the error-correcting schemes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An exploratory study of the perceptions and experiences of further education amongst the young long-term unemployedJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Bruce Bolam Abstract The aim of this study was to explore, in depth, the perceptions and experiences of Further Education (FE) amongst the young long-term unemployed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 long-term unemployed youths of 18,25 years of age divided into three groups: those with no experience of FE; those having recently dropped out of FE; and those currently studying in FE. Grounded theoretical analysis highlighted the importance of both responses to and institutional aspects of unemployment. The impact of unemployment, poor previous educational experience and perceived irrelevance of FE are key barriers to learning. Those that enter FE may drop out as a result of both material and psychosocial factors. Those that stay on commonly emphasize both social support and personal agency in decision-making alongside positive evaluations of FE. In conclusion, limitations of the findings, policy and practical recommendations for successful widening of participation in FE amongst this group are considered. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Management of complications after implantation of fillersJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2004Koenraad De Boulle Summary Soft tissue augmentation is widely practised by a variety of different practitioners. A new classification of filler substances and procedures, taking into account long-term safety and reversibility of side effects, is proposed: i non-permanent and biodegradable, ii,semi-permanent and biodegradable, iii,permanent and reversible, iv,permanent and non-reversible. Complications and adverse effects occur with all fillers and all filler procedures. Insufficient experience is an important contributory factor. Underreporting is probably common. Commonest are haematomas, ecchymoses, infections, papulopustular or acneiform lesions, non-hypersensitivity related swelling and oedema, erythema, changes in pigmentation, palpability of the implant and necrosis of overlying tissue. Specific therapeutic approaches for these complications and practical recommendations to minimize or avoid them are discussed. Hypersensitivity reactions and granuloma formation are the most distressing adverse effects. They can occur with most fillers. Mostly these hypersensitivity reactions are local granulomas but, rarely, generalized reactions also occur. Case reports of systemic reactions after injection of hyaluronic acid are documented. Treatments include steroids, minocycline and immunomodulatory agents, such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus and ascomycin. In selected cases, surgical procedures are necessary to elimirate granulomatous reactions. Implant migration and facial lipoatrophy are encountered with certain compounds. Extreme caution is therefore advocated before using permanent and non-reversible products for soft tissue augmentation. Those who use fillers need to be familiar with the complications of fillers and with the treatment of those complications. [source] Obstacles in large-scale epidemiological assessment of sensory impairments in a Dutch population with intellectual disabilitiesJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2004H. Evenhuis Abstract Background A population-based epidemiological study on visual and hearing impairment was planned in a random sample of 2100 clients, drawn from a base population of 9012 users of Dutch residential and day-care intellectual disability (ID) services with the whole range of IDs. Stratification was applied for age 50 years and over and Down syndrome. Visual and hearing functions were assessed according to a standardized protocol, in cooperation with regular ophthalmologists and regional audiological centres. Anticipated obstacles in sample collection, random inclusion, informed consent, expertise of investigators, time and costs were eliminated by a careful preparation. However, inclusion and participation were incomplete. Method In a descriptive retrospective design, we collected data from our study files on inclusion and participation as well as reasons for non-participation, to identify unanticipated obstacles for this kind of research. Results Consent was obtained for 1660 clients, and 1598 clients participated in the data collection (76% of intended sample of 2100). Inclusion and participation rates were especially lower in community-based care organizations, resulting in unintentional skewing of the sample towards more severe levels of ID. Complete and reliable data to diagnose visual impairment were obtained for 1358/1598 (85%) and to diagnose hearing impairment for 1237/1598 participants (77%). Unanticipated obstacles had to do with the quality of coordination within care organizations, with characteristics of screening methods, and with collaboration with the regular health care system. Assessments of visual function were more easy to organize than were those of hearing. Based on our current experience, practical recommendations are given for future multicentre research, especially in community-based settings. [source] Design conditions for learning in community service contextsJOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Issue 4 2001Caroline A. Bartel In this study, we investigated team-based community service projects as action learning initiatives designed to facilitate two learning outcomes: community learning (knowledge of social, cultural, or economic issues) and personal learning (self-awareness of managerial attitudes and abilities). We developed hypotheses to predict critical input conditions for action learning that promote community and personal learning. We tested these hypotheses with data collected from 381 MBA students and their team leaders who participated in a variety of community service projects. Results demonstrated that design conditions (task characteristics, social interactions, and affective responses) influenced community and personal learning differently. We supplemented survey results with interview and observational data from a subset of participants and conclude with a discussion of the theoretical implications for action learning and practical recommendations for designing community service programs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Viral Upper Respiratory InfectionsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 2 2001APRN-C, Mary Jo Goolsby EdD Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) hold great potential for providing a summary of large volumes of clinical evidence and a related set of practical recommendations. Nurse practitioners should become aware of the range of available CPGs and methods by which they can be evaluated for use. Appropriate evaluation of CPGs should include their overall reliability and validity, as well as their applicability in specific situations. This article is part of an ongoing series presenting individual CPGs. [source] Evaluating and Applying Clinical Practice GuidelinesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 1 2001APRN-C, Mary Jo Goolsby EdD Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) hold great potential for providing a summary of large volumes of clinical evidence and a related set of practical recommendations. Nurse practitioners should become aware of the range of available CPGs and methods by which they can be evaluated for use. Appropriate evaluation of CPGs should include their overall reliability and validity, as well as their applicability in specific situations. This article provides an overview of an appropriate evaluation method and serves as an introduction to future columns presenting individual CPGs. [source] Annotations on musical scores by performing musicians: Collaborative models, interactive methods, and music digital library tool developmentJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2008Megan A. Winget Although there have been a number of fairly recent studies in which researchers have explored the information-seeking and management behaviors of people interacting with musical retrieval systems, there have been very few published studies of the interaction and use behaviors of musicians interacting with their primary information object, the musical score. The ethnographic research reported here seeks to correct this deficiency in the literature. In addition to observing rehearsals and conducting 22 in-depth musician interviews, this research provides in-depth analysis of 25,000 annotations representing 250 parts from 13 complete musical works, made by musicians of all skill levels and performance modes. In addition to producing specific and practical recommendations for digital-library development, this research also provides an augmented annotation framework that will enable more specific study of human-information interaction, both with musical scores, and with more general notational/instructional information objects. [source] Assessing and reporting the quality of commercial weather forecastsMETEOROLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2008Pascal J. Mailier Abstract In 2005 the Royal Meteorological Society commissioned a study to examine current issues regarding the quality (fitness for purpose) of commercial weather forecasts in the United Kingdom. UK commercial weather forecast providers and users were consulted by means of on-line questionnaires, interviews, visits and an open workshop discussion. Results from this consultation uncovered significant deficiencies in the methodologies and in the communication of forecast quality assessments, a lack of open dialogue and transparency in the industry, and that some users may be indifferent to forecast quality. Descriptive or worded forecasts cannot be assessed objectively. However, suitable quality assessment methods are available for nearly all types of quantitative forecasts identified in the consultation. The crucial importance of choosing proper quality assessment metrics, the impact of their statistical properties on results and the need to estimate the statistical significance of quality assessment results were exemplified by means of four case studies, one of which is presented in this paper. The findings from this study have led to a set of practical recommendations aiming to establish the discipline and rigour that are necessary for achieving best practice in the quality assessment of weather forecasts. Specific recommendations were also made to the Royal Meteorological Society to set up a special commission that would promote a sense of community within the industry, and to run an accreditation scheme that would encourage best practice on a voluntary basis. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Quantification of biofilm in microtiter plates: overview of testing conditions and practical recommendations for assessment of biofilm production by staphylococci,APMIS, Issue 8 2007SRDJAN STEPANOVI The details of all steps involved in the quantification of biofilm formation in microtiter plates are described. The presented protocol incorporates information on assessment of biofilm production by staphylococci, gained both by direct experience as well as by analysis of methods for assaying biofilm production. The obtained results should simplify quantification of biofilm formation in microtiter plates, and make it more reliable and comparable among different laboratories. [source] Managing grapevines to optimise fruit development in a challenging environment: a climate change primer for viticulturistsAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF GRAPE AND WINE RESEARCH, Issue 2010M. KELLER Abstract Grapevine reproductive development extends over two seasons, and the genotypic expression of yield potential and fruit composition is subject to environmental impacts, which include viticultural manipulations, throughout this period. This paper reviews current knowledge on yield formation and fruit composition and attempts to identify challenges, opportunities and priorities for research and practice. The present analysis of published information gives a critical appraisal of recent advances concerning variables, especially as they relate to global climate change, that influence yield formation and fruit composition at harvest. Exciting discoveries in fundamental research on the one hand and an increasing focus on outcomes and knowledge transfer on the other are enabling the development and implementation of practical recommendations that will impact grape production in the future. Future research should aim to minimise seasonal variation and optimise the profitable and sustainable production of high-quality fruit for specific uses in the face of climate change, water and labour shortages, shifting consumer preferences and global competition. Better control of product quantity and quality, and differentiation to meet consumer demands and market preferences will enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the global grape and wine industries. [source] Beschichtungen auf direkt befahrenen Tiefgaragenbodenflächen von Weißen Wannen.BETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 7 2006Physikalische Beanspruchungen, Planungsgrundlagen, alternative Beschichtungsvarianten Nach DIN 1045-1 müssen direkt befahrene Parkdecks mit zusätzlichen Maßnahmen ausgeführt werden, zu denen man unter anderem rißüberbrückende Beschichtungen mindestens der Klasse OS 11 nach Instandsetzungsrichtlinie des DAfStb zählt. Die auf dem Markt verfügbaren rißüberbrückenden Beschichtungssysteme mit Allgemeinem bauaufsichtlichem Prüfzeugnis sind für die Beschichtung von Betonoberflächen mit extremen Wassergehalten (Wassersättigungsgrade bis 90 %), wie sie häufig in Bodenplatten Weißer Wannen vorkommen, nicht geeignet. Schadensfälle aus der Baupraxis zeigen, daß gelegentlich an eignungsgeprüften OS-11-Systemen osmotisch induzierte Blasenerscheinungen, vorzugsweise bei rückseitig durchfeuchteten Bodenplatten wasserundurchlässiger Tiefgaragengeschosse, auftreten. Daher werden die physikalischen Beanspruchungen der Beschichtung (osmotische Transportvorgänge, Kapillardrücke, hydrostatische Drücke und Gasdrücke) quantitativ abgeschätzt und dem Leistungsvermögen (Beanspruchbarkeit) der marktüblichen Systeme gegenübergestellt sowie alternative Beschichtungsvarianten vorgestellt. Ferner werden baupraktische Empfehlungen zur Vermeidung von Beschichtungsschäden erläutert. Coatings on directly vehicle-carrying floor slabs of watertight concrete constructions in underground carparks physical stresses , design codes , alternative coating systems According to DIN 1045-1 directly vehicle-carrying park decks have to be realized with additional measures (crack-bridging coating systems). At least surface protection system 11 (SPS 11) according to the Guidelines for the Protection and Repair of Concrete Components of the German Committee on Reinforced Concrete (DAfStb) are among others a possibility to meet this requirement. On the market available crack-bridging coating systems with a general technical approval are not usefull on concrete surfaces with high water contents (water saturation values of 90 %) as they may occur in floor slabs of watertight concrete constructions. Experiences with practical damage cases show, that with approved SPS 11-systems osmotic induced bubbles may occur preferably on backside saturated floor slabs of watertight concrete constructions. In consequence the physical stresses of a coating (osmotic processes, capillarity reactions, hydraulic pressures as well as gas pressures) will be quantitatively estimated and compared with the capability of market systems. Alternative coating systems are presented and practical recommendations in order to avoid damages are given. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||