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Promising Future (promising + future)
Selected AbstractsThree successful years and a promising future for Genes, Brain and BehaviorGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 1 2005Wim E. Crusio No abstract is available for this article. [source] Multidimensional Linking for Tests with Mixed Item TypesJOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT, Issue 2 2009Lihua Yao Numerous assessments contain a mixture of multiple choice (MC) and constructed response (CR) item types and many have been found to measure more than one trait. Thus, there is a need for multidimensional dichotomous and polytomous item response theory (IRT) modeling solutions, including multidimensional linking software. For example, multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) may have a promising future in subscale score proficiency estimation, leading toward a more diagnostic orientation, which requires the linking of these subscale scores across different forms and populations. Several multidimensional linking studies can be found in the literature; however, none have used a combination of MC and CR item types. Thus, this research explores multidimensional linking accuracy for tests composed of both MC and CR items using a matching test characteristic/response function approach. The two-dimensional simulation study presented here used real data-derived parameters from a large-scale statewide assessment with two subscale scores for diagnostic profiling purposes, under varying conditions of anchor set lengths (6, 8, 16, 32, 60), across 10 population distributions, with a mixture of simple versus complex structured items, using a sample size of 3,000. It was found that for a well chosen anchor set, the parameters recovered well after equating across all populations, even for anchor sets composed of as few as six items. [source] Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable aliphatic poly(ester amide)s containing cyclohexane unitsJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 6 2006Hélène A. Lecomte Abstract Polyesters provide a good basis to work on for designing novel biodegradable materials that are also mechanically and thermally resistant. In this study, a series of aliphatic poly(ester amide)s (PEA) based on cyclohexane units was synthesized. Block-copolymers of cyclohexyl sebacate and cyclohexyl sebacamide were produced by controlling the length of the ester block and the amount of amide during a two-step melt/interfacial polycondensation reaction. Films produced from these materials could retain their shape above 373 K due to the physical network of amide hydrogen-bonding. Thermal properties were also evaluated, with various melting and softening points obtained depending on the PEA composition. The determining factor for mechanical properties was the amount of amide introduced, with films containing up to 10 mol % amide showing the best handleability and flexibility. Tensile properties typical of an amorphous viscoelastic material were observed, but with much superior elongation to break achievable (,1700%). These materials were also shown to be hydrolyzable, noncytotoxic, and favorable for cell attachment: they may therefore have a promising future in the area of medical devices or packaging, especially as their properties can be tuned by changing their composition. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1785,1795, 2006 [source] Near-infrared multichannel Raman spectroscopy toward real-time in vivo cancer diagnosisJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 7 2002Shoji Kaminaka Using a newly developed InP/InGaAsP multichannel detector, we developed a near-infrared Raman spectroscopic system that can measure human tissues efficiently without interference from fluorescence. This enabled us to measure an in vivo Raman spectrum of live human tissue (skin) in 1 min using fiber probe optics. By applying this system to human lung tissues, we found that Raman spectroscopy makes a clear distinction not only between normal and cancerous tissues but also between two different types of lung carcinomas. The results indicate a promising future for the non-invasive real-time Raman diagnosis of cancers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Attitude of hospital personnel faced with living liver donation in a Spanish center with a living donor liver transplant programLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2007A. Ríos In Spain, despite its high rate of cadaveric donation, death while on the liver transplant waiting list is high. For this reason, living liver donation is being encouraged despite of the risk of morbidity for the donor. The objective of this study was to analyze attitudes toward living liver donation among hospital personnel in a hospital with a recently authorized living donor liver transplantation program. A random sample was taken and was stratified by type of service and job category (n = 1,262). Attitude was evaluated by means of a validated psychosocial questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed anonymously and was self-administered. Statistical analysis included the Student t test, the ,2 test, and logistical regression analysis. The questionnaire completion rate was 93% (n = 1,168). Only 15% (n = 170) of respondents were in favor of living liver donation if it were unrelated. An additional 65% (n = 766) were in favor if this donation, but only for relatives. Of the rest, 9% (n = 107) did not agree with living liver donation, and the remaining 11% (n = 125) were undecided. The variables related to this attitude were age (P = 0.044); job category (P = 0.002); type of service (according to whether it is related to organ donation and transplantation) (P = 0.044); participation in prosocial activities (P = 0.026); attitude toward cadaveric organ donation (P <0.001); attitude of a respondent's partner toward organ donation (P = 0.010); a respondent's belief that in the future, he or she may need a transplant (P < 0.001); and a willingness to receive a donated living liver organ if one were needed (P < 0.001). There is also a close relationship between attitude toward living kidney donation and living liver donation (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the only common independent variable from the bivariate analysis was a willingness to receive a living donor liver transplant if one were needed (odds ratio = 9.3). Attitude toward living liver donation among hospital personnel in a hospital with a solid organ transplant program is favorable and is affected by factors related to cadaveric donation, altruistic activity, and feelings of reciprocity. Physicians and the youngest hospital workers are those who are most in favor, which leads us to think that there is a promising future for living liver transplantation, which is essential given the cadaveric organ deficit and the high mortality rate while on the waiting list. Liver Transpl 13:1049,1056, 2007. © 2007 AASLD. [source] Commercial carbon nanotubes as heterogeneous catalysts in energy related applicationsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 11-12 2009J. Zhang Abstract We report the application of commercial carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in two important heterogeneously catalyzed reactions, i.e., NH3 decomposition and oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB). For NH3 decomposition, CNTs were used as supports for Co,Mo nanoparticles. The structure of fresh and used catalysts was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and line-scan energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Most of the nanoparticles are individually separated and the synergism mainly increases the long-term stability rather than the activity. For the oxidative dehydrogenation, the metal-free CNTs display a superior performance as compared to the Fe-doped CNTs. The outstanding results in both reactions predict an extremely promising future of commercial nanocarbons in modern catalysis. [source] Human papillomavirus L1 protein expressed in tobacco chloroplasts self-assembles into virus-like particles that are highly immunogenicPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2008Alicia Fernández-San Millán Summary Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in women worldwide. It is linked to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). As the virus cannot be propagated in culture, vaccines based on virus-like particles have been developed and recently marketed. However, their high costs constitute an important drawback for widespread use in developing countries, where the incidence of cervical cancer is highest. In a search for alternative production systems, the major structural protein of the HPV-16 capsid, L1, was expressed in tobacco chloroplasts. A very high yield of production was achieved in mature plants (~3 mg L1/g fresh weight; equivalent to 24% of total soluble protein). This is the highest expression level of HPV L1 protein reported in plants. A single mature plant synthesized ~240 mg of L1. The chloroplast-derived L1 protein displayed conformation-specific epitopes and assembled into virus-like particles, visible by transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, leaf protein extracts from L1 transgenic plants were highly immunogenic in mice after intraperitoneal injection, and neutralizing antibodies were detected. Taken together, these results predict a promising future for the development of a plant-based vaccine against HPV. [source] Investigation and Application of "Bluff-body in Cavity" Burner for Pulverized Coal CombustionASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3-4 2001Gang Chen Abstract The flow and combustion process of a new type of pulverized coal burner, the "bluff-body in cavity", is studied in this paper. This is an improvement on the basic principle of the ordinary bluff-body burner. Mean and fluctuating velocity components and turbulence characteristics of the flow in the outlet of the "bluff-body in cavity" burner were measured using a three-dimensional laser particle dynamics anemometer (3D-PDA). Combustion tests showed that this burner is better than an ordinary burner with only a bluff-body regarding the ignition and flame stability. Application of this new burner in several power plant boilers (65-670 t/h) showed that the temperature in the flame zone is high, the combustion process is very stable, and the boiler efficiency is increased. These improvements indicate a promising future for the burner. [source] | |||||||||||||