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Promising Opportunities (promising + opportunity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	33%
Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	33%

Selected Abstracts

Ultra-Fast Atomic Transport in Severely Deformed Materials,A Pathway to Applications?,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 8 2010
Sergiy Divinski
Abstract Severe plastic deformation of pure Cu and Cu-rich alloys was found to create a hierarchical combination of fast and ultra-fast diffusion paths ranging from non-equilibrium grain boundaries to non-equilibrium triple junctions, vacancy clusters, nano- and micro-pores, and finally to general high-angle grain boundaries. Under certain conditions, a percolating network of porosity can be introduced in the ultra-fine grained materials by a proper mechanical and thermal treatment. This network may offer promising opportunities for creating materials with tailor-made properties, including combinations of improved mechanical performance with a possibility of self repair using "vascular structures" for atom transport. Applications in such areas as drug eluting bioimplants and lead or polymer eluting materials for reduction of friction based on impregnation of porosity networks with these agents are also envisaged. [source]

Comparing indirect methods of digit ratio (2D:4D) measurement

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Christoph J. Kemper
The ratio of the lengths of the second and fourth finger (2D:4D) has been proposed to index prenatal exposure to androgens. Different methods have been utilized to measure digit ratio, however, their measurement precision and economy have not been systematically compared yet. Using different indirect methods (plastic ruler, caliper, computer software), three independent raters measured finger lengths of 60 participants. Generally, measurement precision (intraclass correlation coefficient, technical error of measurement, and relative technical error of measurement) was acceptable for each method. However, precision estimates were highest for the computer software, indicating excellent measurement precision. Estimates for the caliper method were somewhat lower followed by ruler which had the lowest precision. On the contrary, the software-based measurements took somewhat longer to complete than the other methods. Nonetheless, we would favor the use of these tools in digit ratio research because of their relative superior reliability which could be crucial when associations with other variables are expected to be low to moderate or sample size is limited. Software offers several promising opportunities that may contribute to an accurate identification of the proximal finger crease (e.g., zooming, adjusting contrast, etc.). Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Morphology analysis for technology roadmapping: application of text mining

R & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008
Byungun Yoon
The practice of technology roadmapping (TRM) has received much attention from researchers and practitioners, to support planning and forecasting in companies and sectors. However, little research has focused on the support of well-organized information for more effective roadmapping and the presentation of in-depth configurations of new products or technology. This paper proposes a roadmapping methodology to assist decision-making by applying a systematic approach based on quantitative data. To this end, key information is extracted from documents such as product manuals and patent documents by text mining, which is then used to identify the morphology of existing products and technology. Morphology analysis (MA) also plays a crucial role in deriving promising opportunities for new development of product or technology by matching product and technology morphology. Therefore, MA-based TRM can enable the effective exploitation of large quantities of significant information that might otherwise be left untapped, supporting innovation by generating a comprehensive set of detailed product and technology configurations. The proposed MA-based TRM approach can be applied to both incremental and radical innovation, supporting both market pull and technology push. The method is illustrated with a detailed example for mobile phones to demonstrate its practical application. [source]

The clinical nurse leader: a catalyst for improving quality and patient safety

JOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 5 2008
FAAN, JOAN M. STANLEY PhD
Aim, The clinical nurse leader (CNL®) is a new nursing role introduced by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This paper describes its potential impact in practice. Background, Significant pressures are being placed on health care delivery systems to improve patient care outcomes and lower costs in an environment of diminishing resources. Method, A naturalistic approach is used to evaluate the impact the CNL has had on outcomes of care. Case studies describe the CNL implementation experiences at three different practice settings within the same geographic region. Results, Cost savings, including improvement on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) core measures, are realized quickly in settings where the CNL role has been integrated into the care delivery model. Conclusions, With the growing calls for improved outcomes and more cost-effective care, the CNL role provides an opportunity for nursing to lead innovation by maximizing health care quality while minimizing costs. Implications for nursing management, Nursing is in a unique position to address problems that plague the nation's health system. The CNL represents an exciting and promising opportunity for nursing to take a leadership role, in collaboration with multiple practice partners, and implement quality improvement and patient safety initiatives across all health care settings. [source]

Molecular targeted therapies for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma based on apoptosis profiles,

THE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
Saskia AGM Cillessen
Abstract Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is treated with chemotherapy in combination with rituximab. Despite this aggressive therapy, the disease is fatal in 30,40% of patients. Inhibition of the apoptosis signalling pathways is strongly related to response to chemotherapy and eventual clinical outcome. In order to survive, lymphoma cells depend on disruption of the apoptosis pathway by mutations in apoptosis inducing genes or by continuous expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. The development of molecules targeting these apoptosis inhibitors provides a very promising opportunity to specifically target tumour cells without toxicity to non-malignant cells in DLBCL patients. Sensitivity for most of these antagonists can be predicted based on biological markers, suggesting the possibility of pre-defining patients who will most likely benefit from these targeted therapies. Experimental therapies aimed at restoring the upstream apoptosis pathway or targeting apoptosis inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials and are expected to be effective particularly in chemotherapy-refractory DLBCL, providing hope for patients who are refractory to current therapies. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Lessons from Environmental Regulation for the Nonprofit Sector

ANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2002
Renee A. Irvin
As the third sector's economic and social impact grows worldwide, efforts by governments to regulate the sector have focused on increasing compliance in tax,exempt organizations. This article turns to the environmental sector for guidance, summarizing key characteristics of environmental regulation and noting what strategies are likely to prove useful for application to regulation of nonprofit organizations. The article finds some value in promotion of market,based enforcement schemes, but little value in promulgation of laws specifying governance structures and performance standards by a central authority. The most promising opportunity for improvement of the nonprofit regulatory process involves incorporation of financial incentives into monitoring schemes. [source]