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Research Activities (research + activity)
Selected AbstractsA survey of bioengineering research in Canada-2007BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 4 2008Andrew J. Daugulis Abstract Research activity in bioengineering at Canadian universities has been surveyed. Details were provided by chemical engineering departments in response to a common request for information on activities by individual researchers and for key publications. The information provided has been grouped by topics within the broad theme of "Bioengineering," and contributions from individual departments have been summarized within these topics. Although many aspects of bioengineering research are being pursued in Canada, it would appear as though environmental biotechnology, biomaterials, and tissue/cell culture are the most active areas under investigation. [source] Addiction research centres and the nurturing of creativity: The Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems.ADDICTION, Issue 5 2009future, present ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to offer an account of the history, the current status and the future of substance use research at the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems (SIPA). Although founded originally by the temperance movement in 1901, its policy has shifted over time towards one which accepts an alcohol-consuming culture made up of self-determined but well-informed consumers, while still supporting those who choose to live an abstinent life. In the beginning, SIPA was involved primarily in collecting alcohol-related information and making it available to professionals and the general public. From the late 1960s SIPA began conducting its own research projects; by the mid-1970s it had set up its own in-house research department. In 2001, SIPA was appointed a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Substance Abuse, Research, Prevention and Documentation. As a private non-governmental organization, most of its funding comes from external research commissions. SIPA participates in a variety of international projects [e.g. Gender Alcohol and Culture: An International Study (GenACIS), European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs (ESPAD) and Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC)] and contributes to numerous national research projects dealing with substance use. It has also forged close links with more than 50 other research institutions in Switzerland and world-wide. Thanks to its work over the last 30 years, SIPA has become a chief port of call for alcohol use research in Switzerland. In the future, SIPA will continue to monitor substance use, while stepping up its prevention research activities and ensuring that it is able to react more promptly to emerging phenomena. [source] Alcohol research and the alcoholic beverage industry: issues, concerns and conflicts of interestADDICTION, Issue 2009Thomas F. Babor ABSTRACT Aims Using terms of justification such as ,corporate social responsibility' and ,partnerships with the public health community', the alcoholic beverage industry (mainly large producers, trade associations and ,social aspects' organizations) funds a variety of scientific activities that involve or overlap with the work of independent scientists. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the ethical, professional and scientific challenges that have emerged from industry involvement in alcohol science. Method Source material came from an extensive review of organizational websites, newspaper articles, journal papers, letters to the editor, editorials, books, book chapters and unpublished documents. Results Industry involvement in alcohol science was identified in seven areas: (i) sponsorship of research funding organizations; (ii) direct financing of university-based scientists and centers; (iii) studies conducted through contract research organizations; (iv) research conducted by trade organizations and social aspects/public relations organizations; (v) efforts to influence public perceptions of research, research findings and alcohol policies; (vi) publication of scientific documents and support of scientific journals; and (vii) sponsorship of scientific conferences and presentations at conferences. Conclusion While industry involvement in research activities is increasing, it constitutes currently a rather small direct investment in scientific research, one that is unlikely to contribute to alcohol science, lead to scientific breakthroughs or reduce the burden of alcohol-related illness. At best, the scientific activities funded by the alcoholic beverage industry provide financial support and small consulting fees for basic and behavioral scientists engaged in alcohol research; at worst, the industry's scientific activities confuse public discussion of health issues and policy options, raise questions about the objectivity of industry-supported alcohol scientists and provide industry with a convenient way to demonstrate ,corporate responsibility' in its attempts to avoid taxation and regulation. [source] Farrier services at veterinary teaching hospitals in the USAEQUINE VETERINARY EDUCATION, Issue 10 2010C. A. Kirker-Head Summary Horse health is best served when farriers and veterinarians collaborate in the care of their patients. Veterinary Teaching Hospitals (VTHs) provide an environment that can nurture that collaboration. While VTH veterinary services are well known, VTH farrier activities are undocumented. To characterise farrier services at VTHs in the USA, 27 VTH Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and/or VTH farriers completed a multiple choice questionnaire characterising VTH farrier details, training, certification, remuneration method, and clinical, teaching and research responsibilities; and farrier service prevalence, facilities and financial viability. Questionnaire response rate was 81%. Eighteen of 22 (82%) responding VTHs had in-house farrier services. Twenty-one of 22 (95%) VTH farriers were male. Farriers' ages ranged from <30 years (n = 1, 5%) to >50 years (n = 7, 32%). At 11 (61%) VTHs the farriers were paid by the client and at 7 (39%) by the VTH. Five farriers (23%) received a VTH salary. Eighteen of 22 (82%) farriers had a professional certification. At 5 (28%) VTHs the farrier service made a profit and operational costs were met at 13 (72%). Fifteen (83%) farrier services provided professional education in clinical settings and 13 (72%) in lecture settings. Nine (41%) VTH farriers participated in research activities. In the USA, VTH farrier services vary considerably in both nature and extent. The farriers' potential contributions to VTH operations are often recognised but not consistently exploited. VTH farriers are a valuable resource who can contribute effectively toward VTH patient care, veterinary education and research. [source] Developing Research in Graduate ProgrammesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2006G Eliades The aim of this presentation was to provide an overview of the current status of research activities in the graduate programmes of European Dental Schools, their scope, structure, funding and assessment. The key issues explored included the aims, goals and perspectives of research activities in relation to the challenging and educational aspects of research, criteria for selection of research topics, development of skills for augmentation of basic and applied science, build up of creative thinking for data analysis and synthesis, the advisor's contribution, research assessment and feedback to the academic environment, aspects of research funding to support educational needs and ethical aspects of research. [source] 3.2 Ensuring research productivity in the future facultyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 2002Pål Brodin The group concluded that the research productivity of a dental school depended to a large extent on the availability of resources, human and economic. Firstly it requires a group of individuals trained and educated to conduct independent research. Secondly, it requires that these individuals had time to spend on research activities. Thirdly, appropriate space and equipment in which to conduct the research were considered prerequisites. Fourthly, they require an ongoing and appropriate budget. Fifthly, it is essential to have an appropriate climate in the school that encourages and rewards research achievement. [source] Experimental Research and the Managerial Attitude: a tension to be resolved?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, Issue 3 2008MARTIN BENNINGHOFF This article analyses some typical consequences of a specific research policy on experimental research in biology. The policy is conducted by a national funding agency , the Swiss National Science Foundation , through a particular programme, the ,National Centres of Competence in Research' which is designed to promote both ,scientific excellence'and,managerial professionalism'. To study the possible tension between the two objectives, as a practical matter for researchers, the proposed analysis focuses on the interaction between two laboratory scientists and the administrators of a genomic platform. Access to the instruments of this platform is granted through a preliminary interview with those in charge of the platform. During that interview, researchers are required to explain why they want to use the platform services and what their expectations concerning their envisaged activities are. A tape-recorded interview is analysed in order to describe how turns at talking by the various parties, as well as the formulation of the problems encountered by a researcher, prove category-bound. The first part of the meeting (,problem exposition') is structured by the categorical device ,generalist researcher vs. specialist researcher', whilst the second part (,problem solving') is organised by the categorical device ,manager vs. user of the platform'. The ,scientific' problem becomes a ,technical' one and the choice of technique is partly based on financial reasons. The situation shows how managerial injunctions of research policy are not without practical consequences for research activities in situ. [source] Teaching of neuroepidemiology in Europe: time for actionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2004V. Feigin Many epidemiological and clinical studies in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe and countries in transition, are of poor methodological quality because of lack of background knowledge in clinical epidemiology methods and study designs. The only way to improve the quality of epidemiological studies is to provide adequate undergraduate and/or postgraduate education for the health professionals and allied health professions. To facilitate this process, the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) Task Force on teaching of clinical epidemiology in Europe was set up in October 2000. Based on analyses of the current teaching and research activities in neuroepidemiology in Europe, this paper describes the Task Force recommendations aimed to improve these activities. [source] A survey of neuroimaging research in European neurological departmentsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2001K. Herholz In the international neurological literature, neuroimaging research plays an important role. Neuroimaging techniques are also of steadily increasing importance for clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring. Therefore, neuroimaging research activities were surveyed by a questionnaire, which was completed by 100 neurological centres across Europe. It showed that most groups use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), fMRI, computerized tomography (CT) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). Positron emission tomography (PET) and ultrasound are also employed by nearly half of the centres. Neuroimaging research involves co-operation amongst typically five to 10 disciplines. Cerebrovascular disease, dementia, cognitive disorders, epilepsy, movement disorders, brain tumours and multiple sclerosis are frequently being studied. Many groups rely on small budgets, have few full-time scientists and limited access to expensive resources. There is little exchange of scientists amongst laboratories. It was felt that funding and co-operation needed improvement in order to maintain a high standard in neuroimaging research. [source] Women in Academic Emergency MedicineACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 9 2000Rita K. Cydulka MD Abstract. Objective: To evaluate the achievement gof women in academic emergency medicine (EM) relative to men. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional mail survey of all emergency physicians who were employed at three-fourths full-time equivalent or greater at the 105 EM residency programs in the United States from August 1997 to December 1997. The following information was obtained: demographics, training and practice issues, roles and responsibilities in academic EM, percentage of time spent per week in clinical practice, teaching, administrative and research activities, academic productivity, and funding. Results: Of the 1,575 self-administered questionnaires distributed by the office of the chairs, 1,197 (76%) were returned. Two hundred seventy-four (23%) of the respondents were women, and 923 (77%) were men. There was a significant difference noted between men and women in all demographic categories. The numbers of respondents who were nonwhite were extremely small in the sample and, therefore, the authors are hesitant to draw any conclusions based on race/ethnicity. There was no difference in training in EM between men and women (82% vs 82%, p = 0.288), but a significantly higher proportion of male respondents were board-certified in EM (84% vs 76%, p < 0.002). Women in academic EM were less likely to hold major leadership positions, spent a greater percentage of time in clinical and teaching activities, published less in peer-reviewed journals, and were less likely to achieve senior academic rank in their medical schools. Conclusions: These findings mirror those of most medical specialties: academic achievement of women in academic EM lags behind that of men. The paucity of minority physicians in academic EM didn't permit analysis of their academic achievements. [source] A review of the effects of catch-and-release angling on black bass, Micropterus spp.: implications for conservation and management of populationsFISHERIES MANAGEMENT & ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007M. J. SIEPKER Abstract, This paper summarises recent peer-reviewed literature addressing the effects of catch-and-release angling on black bass, Micropterus spp., to facilitate management and conservation of these fish. Traditionally, the effects of catch and release have been evaluated by measuring mortality. Many recent studies have measured sublethal effects on physiology and behaviour. There is also greater emphasis on adding more realism to sublethal catch-and-release experiments through angler involvement in research activities and by conducting studies in the field rather than in laboratory environments. Owing to these advances, there have been a number of recent findings, which are summarised here, related to air exposure, gear (e.g. circle hooks) and the weigh-in procedure that are particularly relevant to black bass anglers, tournament organisers and fishery managers. Additional research is particularly needed for: (1) population-level effects of angling for nesting fish; (2) population-level effects of tournament-associated mortality; (3) effectiveness of livewell additives for enhancing survival; (4) consequences of fish displacement in competitive events; (5) effects of weigh-in procedures and other organisational issues on fish condition and survival; and (6) reducing barotrauma. [source] ,Have You Got a Boyfriend or are You Single?': On the Importance of Being ,Straight' in Organizational ResearchGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 3 2006Attila Bruni The article focuses on heterosexuality as a covert feature of organization studies as well as of organizational research. In fact, while organization studies have discussed the gendered and the gendering aspects of organizational practices and organizational theory, the implication of heterosexuality has yet to receive intensive analysis in these fields. And while the mutual and reflexive constitution of the observer and the observed has been the topic of a considerable amount of research, the dimension of (heterosexual) desire in this process of mutual constitution is still largely unexplored. Referring to three different episodes that occurred while the author was doing organizational ethnography, the article suggests that a heterosexual model of desire is called into action both in organizational and research activities and that focusing on it can be an occasion to question not only the gender (and heterosexual) biases of organizational practices but also the way in which gender and sexuality are mobilized while doing research. In particular, on the basis of the concept of cathexis, the article shows how heterosexuality is learnt and enacted as a situated practice and through a variety of processes: performing power, negotiating and displaying that one belongs to an organizational culture, obscuring the hetero-normativity of professional identities and neglecting the emotional engagement that characterizes research activities and that exposes the researcher to an otherwise vulnerable position. [source] Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori InfectionHELICOBACTER, Issue 2004Paul Hofman ABSTRACT Research in the last year has provided new insights into the function of the the cag -associated type IV secretion system and the vacuolating toxin VacA. A quite new aspect was disclosed by the finding that Helicobacter pylori in Mongolian gerbils colonizes a very distinct topology in the gastric mucous layer, obviously providing optimal conditions for long-term survival. Further research activities focused on H. pylori ammonia and metal metabolism as well as on bacterial stress defence mechanisms. Differential expression of approximately 7% of the bacterial genome was found at low pH suggesting that H. pylori has evolved a multitude of acid-adaptive mechanisms. VacA was shown to interrupt phagosome maturation in macrophage cell lines as well as to modulate and interfere with T lymphocyte immunological functions. Gastric mucosa as well as the H. pylori -infected epithelial cell line AGS strongly express IL-8 receptor A and B, which might contribute to the augmentation of the inflammatory response. Accumulating evidence implicates genetic variation in the inflammatory response to H. pylori in the etiology of the increased risk of gastric cancer after H. pylori infection. The chronic imbalance between apoptosis and cell proliferation is the first step of gastric carcinogenesis. In this regard, it was demonstrated that coexpression of two H. pylori proteins, CagA and HspB, in AGS cells, caused an increase in E2F transcription factor, cyclin D3, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein. Taken together, we now have a better understanding of the role of different virulence factors of H. pylori. There is still a lot to be learned, but the promising discoveries summarized here, demonstrate that the investigation of the bacterial survival strategies will give novel insights into pathogenesis and disease development. [source] The integration of work process knowledge into human resources developmentHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 4 2005Martin Fischer In this contribution the relationship between work process knowledge and human resources development is discussed. The concept of work process knowledge is described as it evolved as an outcome of a research network involving research institutions from 10 European countries (N. C. Boreham, R. Samurçay, & M. Fischer, 2002). Historical origins of the concept are mentioned and different dimensions of work process knowledge are depicted as a topic of ongoing research. How work process knowledge is considered within current research activities focusing on measures of organizational learning is also defined. In this respect, research results from the European research project OrgLearn ("Ways of Organisational Learning in the Chemical Industry and Their Impact on Vocational Education and Training," funded under the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Union and coordinated by the author) are reported. Finally, the implications of the concept of work process knowledge are discussed, which have become apparent in recent developments within vocational education and training in Germany. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 15: 369,384, 2005. [source] Circadian rhythm disturbances in depression,HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 7 2008Anne Germain Abstract Objective The aim of this article is to review progress in understanding the mechanisms that underlie circadian and sleep rhythms, and their role in the pathogenesis and treatment of depression. Methods Literature was selected principally by Medline searches, and additional reports were identified based on ongoing research activities in the authors' laboratory. Results Many physiological processes show circadian rhythms of activity. Sleep and waking are the most obvious circadian rhythms in mammals. There is considerable evidence that circadian and sleep disturbances are important in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Depressed patients often show altered circadian rhythms, sleep disturbances, and diurnal mood variation. Chronotherapies, including bright light exposure, sleep deprivation, and social rhythm therapies, may be useful adjuncts in non-seasonal and seasonal depression. Antidepressant drugs have marked effects on circadian processes and sleep. Conclusions Recent progress in understanding chronobiological and sleep regulation mechanisms may provide novel insights and avenues into the development of new pharmacological and behavioral treatment strategies for mood disorders. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Hydrology and water resources in monsoon Asia: a consideration of the necessity of establishing a standing research community of hydrology and water resources in the Asia Pacific regionHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 14 2003Katumi Musiake Abstract Hydrological and water resources issues appear very differently in different regions, and are strongly affected by geographical conditions. Hydrological knowledge and methodologies obtained in a specific region cannot necessarily be adapted to other regions. The purpose of this paper is to clarify one way to address adequately the regional characteristics of hydrology and water resources in monsoon Asia, especially the ,too much water' problems in the region. For this purpose, geomorphological factors, climatic factors and human intervention in the natural environment are taken into consideration as the three major factors governing the regional characteristics of the hydrology,water resources system. To identify geomorphological features macroscopically between the Asia Pacific region and other continental regions, the concepts ,tectonic zone' and ,stable region', which are two major subdivisions of continental masses in the world, are introduced. Also, a new climatic subdivision termed ,warm-humid' is proposed to express the abundant precipitation due to the Asian monsoon. Then, hydrological characteristics common or similar in ,warm-humid tectonic zones' in the Asia Pacific region, contrasted with those in stable regions, are enumerated together with the human intervention corresponding to these characteristics, and research targets peculiar to warm-humid tectonic zones are discussed. Finally, the establishment of a standing research community called ,Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water Resources' is proposed to promote the exchange of operational knowledge and experience in water resources management, cooperative research activities, and professional education in the Asia Pacific region. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pluralist action research: a review of the information systems literature,INFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009Mike Chiasson Abstract Action research (AR) has for many years been promoted and practised as one way to conduct field studies within the information systems (IS) discipline. Based on a review of articles published in leading journals, we explore how IS researchers practise AR. Our review suggests that AR lends itself strongly towards pluralist approaches which facilitate the production of both theoretical and practical knowledge. First, on the level of each study we analyse how research and problem-solving activities are mixed, in three ways: the research dominant, the problem-solving dominant and the interactive approaches. Second, in the context of the wider research programme in which the study is situated, we analyse how AR is mixed with other research methods, in two ways: the dominant and the sequential approaches. We argue that these pluralist practices of mixing types of research activities and types of research methods provide IS action researchers with a rich portfolio of approaches to knowledge production. This portfolio helps them address the risks involved in AR to ensure their efforts contribute to the literature as well as to practical problem-solving. [source] 1D Conducting Polymer Nanostructures: One-Dimensional Conducting Polymer Nanostructures: Bulk Synthesis and Applications (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 14-15 200915/2009) One-dimensional conducting polymer nanostructures hold great promise for many technological applications and can be chemically synthesized in bulk quantities using either template or template-free strategies. Richard Kaner and co-workers highlight on page 1487 recent research activities in this field and present their perspectives on the main challenges and future research directions for this new class of nanomaterials. [source] One-Dimensional Conducting Polymer Nanostructures: Bulk Synthesis and ApplicationsADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 14-15 2009Henry D. Tran Abstract This Progress Report provides a brief overview of current research activities in the field of one-dimensional (1D) conducting polymer nanostructures. The synthesis, properties, and applications of these materials are outlined with a strong emphasis on recent literature examples. Chemical methods that can produce 1D nanostructures in bulk quantities are discussed in the context of two different strategies: 1) procedures that rely on a nanoscale template or additive not inherent to the polymer and 2) those that do not. The different sub-classifications of these two strategies are delineated and the virtues and vices of each area are discussed. Following this discussion is an outline of the properties and applications of 1D conducting polymer nanostructures. This section focuses on applications in which nanostructured conducting polymers are clearly advantageous over their conventional counterparts. We conclude with our perspective on the main challenges and future research directions for this new class of nanomaterials. This Progress Report is not intended as a comprehensive review of the field, but rather a summary of select contributions that we feel will provide the reader with a strong basis for further investigation into this fast emerging field. [source] Food process engineering and dairy technology at the Technical University of MunichINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Ulrich Kulozik The Chair for Food Process Engineering and Dairy Technology at the Technical University of Munich in Freising-Weihenstephan has been installed since 1992 in a new building hosting modern and well-equipped laboratories and pilot-plant facilities. Its objectives in terms of research are to participate in the development of the scientific understanding of complex food systems and their constitutive components, and the way they interact with the process during manufacturing. The aim is to allow the production of food products with desired properties, improved quality and optimal safety, while ensuring an efficient use of raw materials and of the energy required for industrial production. The methodology used involves the fractionation of complex systems and the systematic study of their constitutive components taken in isolation as well as in various combinations. Milk, as a naturally complex raw material, receives particular attention, but research activities increasingly extend to other functional food substrates such as eggs. The research activities are organized into three working groups that reflect the core competencies developed at the chair throughout the years: Bio-Processes and Aseptic Processing, Formation of Structures in Food Systems, and Protein Technology. Its key position within the ,Centre of Life and Food Science' of the Technical University of Munich fosters interdisciplinary interactions with many specialized scientists, and therefore provides a broad perspective regarding the comprehension of the complex implications of modern food and pharmaceutical product manufacturing. [source] From lumped-element circuits to monolithic integrated circuits: A contribution to RF and microwave mixer designINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RF AND MICROWAVE COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2005Peter Waldow Abstract This article deals with the mixer design for UHF-, microwave- and millimeter-wave applications. Thereby, several aspects such as the chosen technology (lumped elements, hybrid- or monolithic integration) and the applied transmission line (printed circuits, strip-, slot- or coplanar line) are considered. During the course of this contribution, the authors point out the developments in mixer design from lumped-element circuits to monolithic integrated circuits on the example of research activities in Duisburg and Kamp-Lintfort, Germany. The results of these scientific investigations, regarding both the theoretical and experimental aspects, show the feasibility of the proposed techniques. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2005. [source] The role of quantitative and qualitative research in industrial studies of tourismINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 2 2003Brian Davies Abstract Many areas of research in tourism concentrate on quantitative or qualitative studies. Some even discuss the complementarity between the two types of studies. Hardly considered are the possibilities for combining such works within an integrated framework that also considers the business environment in which tourism operates. The purpose of this paper is to return to long neglected possibilities by reinvestigating areas of methodology and epistemology concerned with the generation of a framework that embraces both quantitative and qualitative research. A hypothetical example, in terms of industrial organisation and strategic decision making, is introduced discussing the possibilities for the triangulation of methods and paradigms and the role of the business environment. The conclusion is that an improved understanding of the tourism business requires a broader research methodology than presently exists. Both types of research and the dynamic context of tourism are important and need to be combined within an integrated framework. It has been concerned with the construction of integrating frameworks that embrace an alternative logic of inference and the context of the tourism business environment. This requires refinements of existing approaches together with a broader research methodology. Only by establishing such frameworks will an improved understanding of the tourism industry be achieved. The suggested framework presented here, with particular reference to industrial organisation and strategic decision making by tourism suppliers, is not offered as a panacea. For future work, the validity and choice of framework rest squarely on how the world and ,truth' are viewed. However, within this, the contribution of triangulated quantitative and qualitative research should help understanding by studying phenomena in their natural setting and in terms of the meanings people have of them. This should lead to a ,truer analysis' of business behaviour and hence a more purposeful investigation of hotels, tour operators, travel agents and the business of tourism in general. It is in seeking to produce this ,truer analysis' that future research activities need to concentrate. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Percentage Points of the Multivariate t DistributionINTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL REVIEW, Issue 1 2006Saralees Nadarajah Summary The known methods for computing percentage points of multivariate t distributions are reviewed. We believe that this review will serve as an important reference and encourage further research activities in the area. Résumé Les méthodes connues pour estimer des points de pourcentage de distributions t multivarées sont passées en revue. Nous croyons que cette étude servira de référence importante et encouragera de nouvelles activiés de recherche dans le domaine. [source] Mid-term report on St Luke's College of Nursing's 21st century Center of Excellence Program: Core elements and specific goals of people-centered careJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 1 2006Hiroko KOMATSU Abstract Aim:, This paper, at the halfway point of the 5 year Center of Excellence (COE) Program, aims to extract common core elements of each COE project working on the development of people-centered care and to clarify future issues related to the COE Program through the evaluation of those elements. Methods:, All data obtained in such research activities, including records, interviews, meeting minutes, and results, are shared for each project in COE section meetings or general assemblies and the findings that are established there are accumulated. We also have set up a working group to develop the people-centered care concept by continuously reviewing the core elements of people-centered care based on the collected data. In order to track the projects in an orderly manner, we classified and organized the activities of the 11 COE projects based on the Process Evaluation Model and reviewed common important elements. Results:, The characteristic components, related to participation, relationships, capacity-building, empowerment, and product (specific achievements), were extracted as common core elements of each COE project. Conclusion:, In order to maintain the sustainability of people-centered care incorporated in communities, concrete strategies for improving economic efficiency, social significance and utility, and evaluation methods need to be developed. [source] Two-phase anaerobic digestion processes: a reviewJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2002Burak Demirel Abstract This review provides a detailed comparative summary of the recent and current research activities in the area of two-phase anaerobic digestion processes. The acid phase and the methane phase are first evaluated, individually, from microbiological, kinetic and modelling, process optimization, operation and control, inhibition, and toxicity points of view. The overall process performance is subsequently evaluated as a whole. Finally, areas requiring further research are determined. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Knowledge and use of evidence-based nutrition: a survey of paediatric dietitiansJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2003D. E. Thomas Abstract Objective To survey paediatric dietitians' knowledge and use of evidence-based nutrition (EBN). Design Cross-sectional survey using reply-paid questionnaires. Subjects Paediatric dietitians in Australian teaching hospitals. Main outcome measures Age, sex, appointment, clinical practice, research activities; attitudes to, training in and use of EBN; and perceived barriers to use of EBN. Statistical analysis Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (SPSS). Results Fifty-nine (86%) of 69 questionnaires were returned. Most (97%) dietitians were women working full-time (63%), mean age 37 years (±9 SD). Most (75%) dietitians encountered knowledge gaps less than five times per week and most (87%) questions related to therapy. The majority (95%) performed their own literature searches, less than five times per month. All had access to ,1 electronic literature databases including Medline (n = 58, 98%), Cochrane Library (n = 44, 75%) and CINAHL (n = 35, 59%). Information sources used most often were Medline and consultation with colleagues. Reported barriers to using EBN were lack of time (n = 53, 90%) or lack of skills for critical appraisal of published articles (n = 51, 86%) or literature searching (n = 48, 81%). While 53 (90%) believed in an evidence-based approach, 43 (73%) either did not practise EBN or rated themselves as beginners. Conclusion Most dietitians favoured evidence-based practice, but reported lack of time, skills or rapid access to electronic databases as barriers to its practice. [source] Advancement of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis via utilization of supercritical fluid reaction mediaAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Nimir O. Elbashir Abstract The Fischer Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) reaction has been studied and for nearly a century for the production of fuels and chemicals from nonpetroleum sources. Research and utilization have occurred in both gas phase (fixed bed) and liquid phase (slurry bed) operation. The use of supercritical fluids as the reaction media for FTS (SCF-FTS) now has a 20-year history. Although a great deal of progress in SCF-FTS has been made on the lab scale, this process has yet to be expanded to pilot or industrial scale. This article reviews the research activities involving supercritical FTS and published in open literature from 1989 to 2008. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Reflexive Evaluation of an Academic,Industry Research Collaboration: Can Mode 2 Management Research be Achieved?JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 5 2009Nathalie Mitev abstract We present a reflexive retrospective account of a UK government research council funded project deploying knowledge management software to support environmental sustainability in the construction industry. This project was set up in a form typical of a Mode 2 research programme involving several academic institutions and industrial partners, and aspiring to fulfil the Mode 2 criteria seen as transdisciplinarity and business relevance. The multidisciplinary nature is analysed through retrospectively reflecting upon the research process and activities we carried out, and is found to be problematic. No real consensus was reached between the partners on the ,context of application'. Difficulties between industry and academia, within industry and within academia led to diverging agendas and different alignments for participants. The context of application does not (pre-)exist independently of institutional influences, and in itself cannot drive transdisciplinarity since it is subject to competing claims and negotiations. There were unresolved tensions in terms of private vs. public construction companies and their expectations of ICT-based knowledge management, and in terms of the sustainable construction agenda. This post hoc reflexive account, enables us to critique our own roles in having developed a managerial technology for technically sophisticated and powerful private industrial actors to the detriment of public sector construction partners, having bypassed sustainability issues, and not reached transdisciplinarity. We argue that this is due to institutional pressures and instrumentalization from academia, industry and government and a restricted notion of business relevance. There exists a politically motivated tendency to oppose Mode 1 academic research to practitioner-oriented Mode 2 approaches to management research. We argue that valuing the links between co-existing Mode 1 and 2 research activities would support a more genuine and fuller exploration of the context of application. [source] Increasing research evidence in practice: a possible role for the consultant nurseJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2008HARRY CHUMMUN BSc (Hons) Aims, To determine the extent to which clinical nursing practice has adopted research evidence. To identify barriers to the application of research findings in practice and to propose ways of overcoming these barriers. Background, Way back in 1976, nursing and midwifery practice started adopting research evidence. By 1990s, there was some transparency of research evidence in practice, but more could have been done to widen its adoption. Many barriers were identified which could hinder implementation of the evidence in practice, and the effort to remove these remains weak. Evaluation, 25 research articles from across Europe and America were selected, and scrutinized, and recommendations analysed. Findings, Many clinical practitioners report a lack of time, ability and motivation to appraise research reports and adopt findings in practice. The clinical environment was not seen as research friendly as there were a general lack of research activities and facilities locally. There was a clear lack of research leadership in practice. Implication for nursing management, This paper reviewed the research evidence from several published research papers and provides consultant nurses with practical suggestions on how to enhance research evidence application in their practice. It recommends how consultant nurses can make their practice more research transparent by providing the required leadership, creating a research-friendly organization, developing a clear research agenda and facilitating staff develop a local research framework for reading research and implementing research evidence in their practice. [source] Raman spectroscopy and related techniques: state of the art and future directions in Italy,JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 2 2008Giuseppe Compagnini Abstract The 20th Italian Conference on Raman Spectroscopy and non-linear effects was held in Catania in June 2007. I had the pleasure to chair the Conference in which scientists from different countries shared their research activities, started new collaborations and straightened the existing ones. For the first time in the GNSR history, the contributors were invited to present papers suitable to be collected in a Special Issue of a peer-reviewed journal and the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy has been chosen for its long tradition on Raman spectroscopy and related fields. This Special Issue is dedicated to the memory of Giorgio Mattei who recently passed away. It includes 28 contributions reporting results and new ideas on material science, biochemistry, astrophysics and science of cultural heritage. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||