Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Primary Purpose (primary + purpose)
Selected AbstractsStaging anorexia nervosa: conceptualizing illness severityEARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2008Sarah Maguire Abstract In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the conceptualization of anorexia nervosa (AN) and its diagnostic criteria. While varying levels of severity within the illness category of AN have long been appreciated, neither a precise definition of severity nor an empirical examination of severity in AN has been undertaken. The aim of this article is to review the current state of knowledge on illness severity and to propose a theoretical model for the definition and conceptualization of severity in AN. AN is associated with significant medical morbidity which is related to the ,severity' of presentation on such markers as body mass index, eating and purging behaviours. The development of a functional staging system, based on symptom severity, is indicated for reasons similar to those cited by the cancer lobby. Improving case management and making appropriate treatment recommendations have been the primary purpose of staging in other fields, and might also apply to AN. Such a standardized staging system could potentially ease communication between treatment settings, and increase the specificity and comparability of research findings in the field of AN. [source] Organisation of proficiency testing for plant health diagnostic tests: the experience of FAPAS®EPPO BULLETIN, Issue 1 2010A. Reynolds Proficiency testing (PT) is an established quality assurance measure and is based on the comparison of laboratories' results in an inter-laboratory trial. It highlights problems in laboratory analysis and is an educational tool to help improve data quality. This article describes how PT is organised by FAPAS®. FAPAS® is an international PT provider (external quality assessments) for food chemistry, food microbiology, genetically modified material and water/environmental samples. Since 2007, FAPAS® have organized plant health proficiency tests in conjunction with the Plant Pest and Disease Identification Programme at the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera). Up until 2009, FAPAS® has organised seven plant health proficiency tests that covered the identification of lyophilised bacteria, viruses in leaves and fungi in agar plugs. In 2009, FAPAS® organized over 10 plant health proficiency tests under the banner of ,PhytoPAS', including Potato spindle tuber viroid, Phytophthora ramorum, Thrips palmi, Erwinia amylovora, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, etc. DNA extracts, cyst nematodes (Globodera pallida) and slides/immunofluorescence (IF) slides have been added to the programme. The organization of the plant health proficiency tests follows a similar pattern. Suitable test materials are prepared and tested for quality before distribution to requesting participants. Laboratories usually have 1,2 months to analyze their samples and return their results. A report is then compiled for issue to laboratories and these contain all results in an anonymous form, so that laboratories can compare their results with those of other participants. If a laboratory's performance is unsatisfactory then it is up to them to investigate the situation. Thus, the primary purpose of PT is the detection of inaccuracy in a laboratory's results, so that they can investigate the problems and initiate corrective procedures. [source] The magistrate, the community and the maintenance of an orderly society in eighteenth-century EnglandHISTORICAL RESEARCH, Issue 191 2003Gwenda Morgan The lone magistrate was the central figure of early modern English law enforcement, yet few records of his activities survive. This study of one of the rare notebooks kept by a local J.P. in north-east England in the eighteenth century suggests that his primary purpose was to negotiate peace between disputants rather than to secure prosecution and conviction of those accused of crimes. Prosecutions in court were few. Reconciliation was mixed with enforcement in areas such as employment relations, poor relief and the maintenance of illegitimate children, but here, as in the many cases of physical assault, outcomes were frequently ,agreed'. [source] Computer ethics and consumer ethics: the impact of the internet on consumers' ethical decision-making processJOURNAL OF CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, Issue 5 2007Andreas Chatzidakis Despite the maturity of the literatures that consider ethical consumer behaviour and the role of the internet, very little work seems to have been undertaken to bring these two themes together. This is unfortunate because the internet is increasingly pervasive and is used at some stage in a significant number of consumer activities. Our primary purpose is to bring together key insights and themes from research into both ethical consumer behaviour and the internet to highlight further research opportunities. In particular, we seek to demonstrate how the ethical consumerism and consumer ethics literatures together can provide a rich foundation to study ethical and moral dimensions of online consumer behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Buyer's Option in Multi-Unit Ascending Auctions: The Case of Wine Auctions at DrouotJOURNAL OF ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, Issue 4 2005Philippe Février This paper studies multi-unit ascending (English) auctions with a buyer's option. The buyer's option gives the winner of an auction the right to purchase any number of units at the winning price. We develop a theoretical model and derive the optimal strategies for the bidders. The model predicts various behavioral implications (e.g., the winner never exercises the option, the price declines,) that are tested using a unique data set on wine auctions held at the Paris-based auction house Drouot. We also analyze why the buyer's option is used. Estimating the model in a structural econometric way, and using counterfactual comparisons, we find that the buyer's option does not affect the seller's revenue (relative to a system where the units are auctioned sequentially without the option). Drouot, however, saves a lot of time with the option and this effect represents a considerable amount of money. The time-saving effect seems thus to be the primary purpose of the buyer's option. [source] Parents' Union Dissolution and Adolescents' School Performance: Comparing Methodological ApproachesJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2007Michelle L. Frisco We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and the Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement Study to estimate how parents' union dissolution influences changes in adolescents' mathematics course work gains, overall grade point average, and course failure rates during a window of approximately 1 year (N =2,629). A primary purpose of this study is demonstrating the utility of propensity score matching techniques for studying topics such as ours that pose methodological challenges such as dealing with endogeneity and selection bias. We compare propensity score matching techniques to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression methods to show and discuss comparability of results obtained using these different procedures. Findings suggest that associations between parents' union dissolution and achievement may be causal, regardless of method used. [source] Attrition in nursing among Black and White nursesJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2007STEVEN A. SMITH PhD Fundamental to dealing with the problems associated with attracting and retaining nurses during a tight labour market are issues centreing upon attrition from the field. In the United States, attrition has become such a significant issue that efforts to attract individuals to the field and recruit them to positions in the health care industry are not adequate to offset the flow of individuals from the field, much less bring in the additional nurses who are needed for an ageing population with increasing health care needs. As an example of the seriousness of the problem, it is probably safe to say that of the students who graduate from nursing schools each year and who enter the field of nursing, a significant number will no longer be practicing after 5 years in the profession. In a high attrition environment, even if many individuals were entering nursing, these losses will potentially offset any gains that are made. From the perspective of this study, it is important to know what is leading nurses to leave their careers. Do all nurses face the same challenges in the course of their careers, or is the pattern of turnover somewhat different for different groups of nurses or those in different stages of their careers? In this study, we consider what career differences may exist between the two major groups of nurses in the USA today , Black and White nurses , and ask whether there are differences between the two groups in terms of ,whether' and ,why' they may be leaving the field. Our primary purpose was to determine if differences in attrition exist between Black and White nurses, and if so, where in the career process are those differences most pronounced. Based on our analysis of data from the National Science Foundation, we do find significant differences in patterns of attrition for the two groups and we suggest what we believe may be their implications for policy. [source] An Empirical Investigation of Knowledge-Sharing in NetworksJOURNAL OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2005Stephan M. Wagner Summary Given the growing importance of knowledge-sharing, the primary purpose of this research is to develop and test a series of hypotheses regarding interorganizational knowledge-sharing with different actors in networks. Findings, based on responses from 182 firms, reveal that a firm's degree of knowledge-sharing with research institutions and customers is positively influenced by the firm's resource commitment. As expected, the firms' satisfaction is positively related to the frequency of communication. Consistent with the proposed hypotheses, knowledge tacitness diminishes the effect sharing knowledge with suppliers has on satisfaction. Contrary to expectations, tacitness positively moderates the effect sharing knowledge with customers has on satisfaction. Overall, this paper establishes the foundation for a more fine-grained analysis of knowledge-sharing with customers, suppliers and research institutions in a network setting. [source] Regulatory Disclosure of Offending Companies in the Dutch Financial Market: Consumer Protection or Enforcement Publicity?LAW & POLICY, Issue 4 2010JUDITH VAN ERP Regulatory disclosure of names of offending companies is increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional command and control regulation. The goals and intended effects of disclosure are not always clear, however. Do regulators wish to increase their transparency, or do they intend to name and shame? This article aims to contribute to a better understanding of the underlying working mechanism of regulatory disclosure of offenders' names through a case study of the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets' disclosure policy. It distinguishes two types of disclosure strategies: consumer oriented and firm oriented. The case study shows that although informing consumers was the primary purpose of disclosure as intended by the Dutch legislature, the purpose in practice has shifted to informing companies about the regulators' enforcement policy. The nature of the disclosed information makes it unlikely that disclosure adequately prevents financial risk taking by consumers. Instead of empowering consumers, disclosure has been incorporated in a traditional deterrence logic, turning out not to be an example of new governance but instead a modern version of command and control enforcement publicity. [source] Databases for outcomes research: what has 10 years of experience taught us?PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 5 2001Lynn Bosco MD Abstract This paper describes how the mission of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is being executed through the many programs that it has developed and implemented. The Evidence-based Practice Center program was developed to provide systematic reviews on common and expensive conditions and health technologies and to ensure that this information is used to improve health care outcomes and costs. The National Guidelines Clearinghouse provides an internet-based source of clinical practice guidelines that are produced by clinical specialty organizations for the primary purpose of improving health care delivery and outcomes. Relevant to this symposium on databases, AHRQ has supported the development of databases to track hospital utilization on a state-by-state basis. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) allows comparisons between states and within regions of individual states. New initiatives have been launched to evaluate interventions across systems rather than focusing on the individual patient (Translating Research into Practice,TRIP). The Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) program was developed to conduct real world evaluations to better understand the benefits and risks of single and combined therapy. Both programs further the mission of the AHRQ to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, with additional focus on the cost-effectiveness, patient safety, and increasing access to care for all. Information on programs developed by the AHRQ is available in more detail at the Agency Web site http://www.ahrq.gov. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rac and Rho: The Story Behind Melanocyte Dendrite FormationPIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 5 2002Glynis Scott Melanocyte dendrites are hormonally responsive actin and microtubule containing structures whose primary purpose is to transport melanosomes to the dendrite tip. Melanocyte dendrites have been an area of intense interest for melanocyte biologists, but it was not until recently that we began to understand the mechanisms underlying their formation. In contrast with melanogenesis, for which numerous mutations in pigment producing genes and mouse models have been identified, a genetic defect resulting in impaired dendrite formation has not been found. Therefore, much of the insight into melanocyte dendrites has come from electron microscopy or in vitro culture systems of normal human and murine melanocytes as well as melanoma cell lines. The growth factors that regulate the formation of melanocyte dendrites have been thoroughly studied and it is clear that multiple signalling systems are able to stimulate, and in some cases inhibit, dendrite formation. Recent data points to the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins as master regulators of dendrite formation, particularly Rac and Rho. In this review I will summarize the progress scientists have made in understanding the structure, hormonal regulation and molecular mediators of melanocyte dendrite formation. [source] Perfectionism and depressive symptoms in early adolescencePSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS, Issue 2 2007Kenneth G. Rice The Adaptive/Maladaptive Perfectionism Scale (AMPS; K.G. Rice & K.J. Preusser, 2002) was developed on samples of 9- to 11-year-old children. A primary purpose of the current research was to examine whether the AMPS could be useful in studies of adolescents, and in particular, studies of adolescent depression. This study of 145 early adolescents revealed (1) a somewhat different AMPS factor structure than has been evident in studies of younger children; (2) no significant mean differences between boys and girls on perfectionism, although girls were significantly more depressed than boys; (3) a pattern of perfectionism-depression correlations that differed somewhat between boys and girls; and (4) several interactions of different dimensions of perfectionism in accounting for depression. Results are discussed by addressing differences between children and adolescents in school cultures, physical and psychological changes from childhood to adolescence, and the importance of considering the positive as well as the negative aspects of perfectionism among school-age children. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 139,156, 2007. [source] Under restrictive conditions, can the widths of linear enamel hypoplasias be used as relative indicators of stress episode duration?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Amelia Hubbard Abstract Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a type of enamel defect reflecting nonspecific physiological stress, has traditionally been used by bioarchaeologists to assess human health. Initially, measurements of defect width were used to estimate the duration of stress episodes. More recently, methods of counting within-defect perikymata (enamel growth increments) were developed to more accurately assess duration. Because perikymata are often not continuously visible within defects, while widths can usually be measured, the primary purpose of this article was to determine if, under restrictive conditions, the widths of LEH defects might be used as relative indicators of stress episode duration. Using a set of dental replicas from the prehistoric Irene Mound (1150,1400 A.D.), this study also investigated potential sources of variation in defect widths and how often defect widths could be measured and within-defect perikymata counted. Of 120 defects, only 47 contained both measurable defect widths and total within-defect perikymata, while 79 had measurable defect widths. Regression analysis revealed that, for these 47 defects, defect widths were more strongly related to the total number of within-defect perikymata than they were to crown region or tooth type. Although wide prediction intervals indicated that a defect's width could not be used to predict the number of within-defect perikymata for an individual, narrower confidence intervals associated with hypothetical mean population widths suggested that mean defect widths might be used to rank populations in terms of relative average stress episode duration. Am J Phys Anthropol 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Geochemistry of Heavy Oil in the T Block, Oriente Basin and its Origin MechanismACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 2 2010Ying HU Abstract: Exploration and development experience show that there is obvious oil gravity difference between the southern part and northern part of the "M1" reservoir in the Fanny oil field in the slope of the Oriente Basin, Ecuador. The American Petroleum Institute Gravity (API) values of oils in the northern part are higher than the one in the southern part of the Fanny oil field, with the values of 20° and 10.0°,13.0°, respectively. So the primary purpose of this study was to analyze the heavy oil characteristics of biodegradation and the oil,oil correlation according to the biomarker data and the ,13C signature of oil samples from T block. The results of the hydrocarbon gas chromatography fingermark and the inversion attribute characteristics indicated that there are fluid compartments between the "M1" reservoir of Fanny south. Finally, the models of oil,gas accumulation under the control of multiple-activities of complicated fault systems, as well as the origin of heavy oil, are contended. The early stage oils from the western part of the basin were biodegraded heavily in varying degrees in the whole basin, and the later stage oils were derived from the southern part in a large scale and were mature and lighter. Generally, oil mixing is the primary control of net oil properties, such as API gravity in Oriente Basin. We therefore predicted that the API gravity variation of oil pools radically depends on the injection amount of the later stage oil. Because of the shale barrier in the "M1" reservoir of Fanny south, the later stage hydrocarbon could not pass through and contribute to increase the oil API value. [source] Incision design in implant dentistry based on vascularization of the mucosaCLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2005Johannes Kleinheinz Abstract Objectives: The delivery of an adequate amount of blood to the tissue capillaries for normal functioning of the organ is the primary purpose of the vascular system. Preserving the viability of the soft tissue segment depends on the soft tissue incision being properly designed in order to prevent impairment of the circulation. A knowledge of the course of the vessels as well as of their supply area are crucial to the decision of the incision. The aim of this study was to visualize the course of the arteries using different techniques, to perform macroscopic- and microscopic analyses, and to develop recommendations for incisions in implant dentistry. Material and methods: The vascular systems of seven edentulous human cadavers were flushed out and filled with either red-colored rubber bond or Indian ink and formalin mixture. After fixation a macroscopic preparation was performed to reveal the course, distribution and supply area of the major vessels. In the area of the edentulous alveolar ridge specimens of the mucosa were taken and analyzed microscopically. Results: The analyses revealed the major features of mucosal vascularization. The main course of the supplying arteries is from posterior to anterior, main vessels run parallel to the alveolar ridge in the vestibulum and the crestal area of the edentulous alveolar ridge is covered by a avascular zone with no anastomoses crossing the alveolar ridge. Conclusion: The results suggest midline incisions on the alveolar ridge, marginal incisions in dentated areas, releasing incisions only at the anterior border of the entire incision line, and avoidance of incisions crossing the alveolar ridge. Résumé Fournir une quantité adéquate de sang aux capillaires pour un fonctionnement normal de l'organe est le but premier du système vasculaire. Préserver la viabilité du segment de tissu mou dépend de l'incision du tissu mou qui doit être effectuée de manière précise pour prévenir la détérioration de la circulation. Une connaissance de géographie des vaisseaux ainsi que de leurs aires de réserve sont essentiels pour la décision de l'incision. Le but de cette étude a été de visualiser les artères en utilisant différentes techniques afin d'effectuer des analyses tant macro- que microscopiques et pour developper des recommandations pour les incisions lors de la pose d'implants dentaires. Les systèmes vasculaires de sept cadavres humains édentés ont été vidés et remplis avec soit de l'encre de Chine ou une solution rouge et du formol. Après fixation une préparation macroscopique a été effectuée pour mettre en évidence le cours, la distribution et l'aire de réserve des principaux vaisseaux. Dans la zone du rebord alvéoaire édenté des spécimens des muqueuses ont été prélevés et analysés microscopiquement. Les analyses ont mis en évidence les principaux caractères de la vascularisation de la muqueuse. Le cours principal des artères converge de l'arrière vers l'avant, les vaisseaux principaux courent parallèlement au rebord alvéolaire dans le vestibule et l'aire crestale des rebords alvéolaires édentés et sont couverts par une zone non-vascularisée sans anastomose traversant le rebord alvéolaire. Ces résultats suggèrent donc des incisions au milieu de la ligne du rebord alvéolaire, des incisions marginales dans les zones dentées, des incisions d'accès seulement dans la frontière antérieure de la ligne d'incision générale et l'abstention d'incision traversant la crête alvéolaire. Zusammenfassung Ziele: Das erste Ziel des Gefässsystems ist es, eine adäquate Menge Blut zu den Kapillaren zu führen, um eine normale Funktion des Organs zu gewährleisten. Der Erhalt der Lebensfähigkeit des Weichteilsegments hängt von der Weichgewebsinzision ab, welche sauber gestaltet sein sollte, um die Zirkulation nicht zu beeinträchtigen. Die Kenntnis des Verlaufs und der Versorgungsgebiete der Gefässe ist für die Wahl der Inzision entscheidend. Das Ziel dieser Studie war, den Verlauf der Arterien mittels verschiedener Techniken sichtbar zu machen, um makroskopische und mikroskopische Analysen durchführen zu können und um Empfehlungen für Inzisionen in der oralen Implantatchirurgie zu entwickeln. Material und Methoden: Das Gefässsystem von 7 zahnlosen menschlichen Kadavern wurde ausgespült und entweder mit rot gefärbter Gummiflüssigkeit oder mit indischer Tinte und einer Formalinmixtur aufgefüllt. Nach der Fixierung wurde eine makroskopische Präparation durchgeführt, um den Verlauf, die Verteilung und die Versorgungsgebiete der grossen Gefässe aufzuzeigen. Im Bereich des zahnlosen Alveolarkammes wurden Proben der Mukosa entnommen und mikroskopisch analysiert. Resultate: Die Analysen zeigten die generellen Eigenschaften der Vaskularisation von Schleimhäuten. Die Hauptrichtung der versorgenden Gefässe verläuft von posterior nach anterior, die Hauptgefässe liegen parallel zum Alveolarkamm im Vestibulum und die Kammregion des zahnlosen Alveolarkammes wird durch eine avaskuläre Zone ohne den Alveolarkamm überkreuzende Anastomosen bedeckt. Schlussfolgerung: Aufgrund der Resultate werden Inzisionen im Bereich der Kammmitte des zahnlosen Alveolarkammes und marginale Inzisionen im bezahnten Bereich vorgeschlagen. Entlastungsschnitte sollten nur an der anterioren Grenze der gesamten Inzisionslinie gelegt werden. Inzisionen, welche den Alveolarkamm überkreuzen, sollten vermieden werden. Resumen Objetivos: El suministro de una cantidad adecuada de sangre a los capilares tisulares para el funcionamiento normal de un órgano es el propósito primario del sistema vascular. La preservación de la viabilidad del segmento de tejido blando depende en la incisión del tejido blando que debe estar debidamente diseñada en orden a prevenir mermas en la circulación. Un conocimiento del curso de los vasos al igual que del área de suministro es crucial para la decisión de la incisión. La intención de este estudio fue visualizar el curso de las arterias usando diferentes técnicas, para realizar análisis macro- y microscópicos, y desarrollar recomendaciones para incisiones en odontología de implantes. Material y métodos: Se vaciaron los sistemas vasculares de 7 cadáveres humanos edéntulos y rellenados con pegamento de goma de color rojo o con una mezcla de tinta india y formalina. Tras la fijación se llevó a cabo una preparación macroscópica para revelar el curso, distribución y área de suministro de los vasos principales. En el área de la cresta alveolar edéntula se tomaron especímenes y se analizaron microscópicamente. Resultados: Los análisis revelaron las principales características de la vascularización mucosa. El curso principal de las arterias de suministro as desde posterior a anterior, los vasos principales corren paralelos a la cresta alveolar en el vestíbulo y el área crestal de la cresta alveolar esta cubierta por una zona avascular sin anastomosis que crucen la cresta alveolar. Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren incisiones en la cresta alveolar, incisiones marginales en áreas dentadas, incisiones liberadoras solo en el borde anterior de la línea completa de incisión, y evitar las incisiones que crucen la cresta alveolar. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||