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Research Applications (research + application)
Selected AbstractsGuidelines for mechanical lung function measurements in psychophysiologyPSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Thomas Ritz Studies in psychophysiology and behavioral medicine have uncovered associations among psychological processes, behavior, and lung function. However, methodological issues specific to the measurement of mechanical lung function have rarely been discussed. This report presents an overview of the physiology, techniques, and experimental methods of mechanical lung function measurements relevant to this research context. Techniques to measure lung volumes, airflow, airway resistance, respiratory resistance, and airflow perception are introduced and discussed. Confounding factors such as ventilation, medication, environmental factors, physical activity, and instructional and experimenter effects are outlined, and issues specific to children and clinical groups are discussed. Recommendations are presented to increase the degree of standardization in the research application and publication of mechanical lung function measurements in psychophysiology. [source] Nucleofection: a new, highly efficient transfection method for primary human keratinocytes,EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Jörg H. W. Distler Abstract:, Transfection is an essential tool for numerous in vitro applications including studies of gene expression, promoter analysis, and intracellular signaling pathways and also for therapeutic strategies such as tissue engineering and gene therapy. However, transfection of primary cells including keratinocytes with common methods such as calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, liposome-mediated transfer, electroporation or viral vectors is problematic because of low transfection efficiency and the induction of terminal differentiation. Here we analyzed the use of nucleofection, a new, electroporation-based transfection method that enables the DNA to enter directly the nucleus, for the transfection of keratinocytes. Several different conditions were tested and optimized, resulting in a final transfection efficiency of 56% in primary human epidermal keratinocytes. This efficiency is superior to all non-viral transfection methods reported so far. The number of non-viable keratinocytes after nucleofection was low, varying between 14 and 16%. In contrast to other transfection protocols, nucleofection did not induce terminal differentiation in the transfected keratinocytes. In addition, nucleofection is a fast method, because the results can be analyzed within 7 h. In summary, nucleofection is a fast, easy and highly effective alternative for the transfection of primary human keratinocytes, which offers new opportunities for various research applications. [source] ICOADS release 2.1 data and productsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 7 2005Steven J. Worley Abstract The International Comprehensive Ocean,Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS), release 2.1 (1784,2002), is the largest available set of in situ marine observations. Observations from ships include instrument measurements and visual estimates, and data from moored and drifting buoys are exclusively instrumental. The ICOADS collection is constructed from many diverse data sources, and made inhomogeneous by the changes in observing systems and recording practices used throughout the period of record, which is over two centuries. Nevertheless, it is a key reference data set that documents the long-term environmental state, provides input to a variety of critical climate and other research applications, and serves as a basis for many associated products and analyses. The observational database is augmented with higher level ICOADS data products. The observed data are synthesized to products by computing statistical summaries, on a monthly basis, for samples within 2° latitude × 2° longitude and 1° × 1° boxes beginning in 1800 and 1960 respectively. For each resolution the summaries are computed using two different data mixtures and quality control criteria. This partially controls and contrasts the effects of changing observing systems and accounts for periods with greater climate variability. The ICOADS observations and products are freely distributed worldwide. The standard ICOADS release is supplemented in several ways; additional summaries are produced using experimental quality control, additional observations are made available in advance of their formal blending into a release, and metadata that define recent ships' physical characteristics and instruments are available. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Applicant Attraction: The role of recruiter function, work,life balance policies and career salienceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 4 2007Sally A. Carless This study examined the impact of salient identity, career path and recruiter functional area [internal human resource (HR) personnel vs external recruitment company] on perceptions of organizational attraction with a sample of young, inexperienced job seekers. Two hundred and one participants responded to a questionnaire and rated their attraction to two different job advertisements. The results partially supported the first hypothesis; applicants perceived a job opportunity in an organization that offered either a flexible career path or a dual career path as significantly more attractive than a position in an organization that offered a traditional career path. There was no support for the second hypothesis that identity salience would interact with career path. The results showed that recruiter functional area had no impact on attraction to the organization. It was concluded that flexible HR policies increase applicants' perceptions of organizational attraction during the initial stages of the recruitment process. Practical and research applications are discussed. [source] Innovations in United States genetics nursing: Practice and researchJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005Dale H. LEA Abstract Aim:, Clinical and research applications from human genome discoveries are growing and creating both opportunities and challenges to the integration of genetic concepts into practice and research. Nurses have a long history of caring for individuals, families, and groups with genetic conditions. In the past two decades, a small group of nurses in the USA have used a variety of strategies to further develop the field of genetics nursing. In this paper we identify innovative approaches to identifying genetics-related nursing roles and opportunities, as well as successful collaborative efforts beyond nursing to address the emerging health and societal challenges related to human genetics discoveries. Methods:, The information presented here comes from a variety of sources where the authors or genetics nurses directly participated, including: (i) a systematic literature review of genetics nursing; (ii) a comprehensive research study of models of delivering clinical genetics services and the roles of health professionals; and (iii) participation in numerous national research, planning, programmatic, and advisory groups involved with clinical genetics-related health services, research, education, and public policy. Results:, Genetics nurses in the US have developed innovative responses to genetics-related challenges within and beyond the profession of nursing. These include: (i) establishing an organization for nurses in genetics and gaining formal recognition of genetics as a specialty of nursing; (ii) defining the scope of genetics nursing practice and developing a new genetics nursing credential; (iii) establishing a multiprofessional genetics education coalition and defining genetic competency for health-care practice; (iv) creating new clinical practice roles for nurses that integrate emerging genetics concepts and skills into diverse clinical practice areas; (v) expanding nursing involvement in genetics-related research; and (vi) participation in high-level genetics advisory groups. Conclusions:, The US experience shows that nurses have made substantial progress in expanding their involvement in genetic services through visionary leadership, innovative approaches to challenges, establishing support with nurse colleagues, and engaging in multiprofessional efforts. The most important first step is developing a supportive environment for nurse advancement. In the US, the genetics nurses' organization known as the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) has provided this base. [source] Application of Fractionation Techniques to the Study of Olefin Polymerization Kinetics and Polymer DegradationMACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2007Hisayuki Nakatani Abstract Summary: Temperature rising elution fractionation (TREF) has been regarded as a powerful technique for study of semicrystalline polymers. In this paper, two examples of unique applications of TREF were introduced. One was the study on the influence of extraction of internal donor on the variation of isospecific active sites of a MgCl2 - supported Ziegler catalyst, and the other was the estimation of the relationship between polymer micro-tacticity and degradation rate of isotactic polypropylene (iPP). The former example revealed the conversion from high to low isospecific site by the extraction of internal donors, whereas the latter showed a negative correlation between the level of isotacticity and the degradation rate. These results demonstrated that TREF was useful in these research applications. [source] Genome-enabled development of DNA markers for ecology, evolution and conservationMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 11 2010ROBERT C. THOMSON Abstract Molecular markers have become a fundamental piece of modern biology's toolkit. In the last decade, new genomic resources from model organisms and advances in DNA sequencing technology have altered the way that these tools are developed, alleviating the marker limitation that researchers previously faced and opening new areas of research for studies of non-model organisms. This availability of markers is directly responsible for advances in several areas of research, including fine-scaled estimation of population structure and demography, the inference of species phylogenies, and the examination of detailed selective pressures in non-model organisms. This review summarizes methods for the development of large numbers of DNA markers in non-model organisms, the challenges encountered when utilizing different methods, and new research applications resulting from these advances. [source] In Vitro Production of Equine Embryos: State of the ArtREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2010K Hinrichs Contents In vitro embryo production is possible in the horse both clinically and for research applications. Oocytes may be collected from excised ovaries post-mortem, or from either immature follicles or stimulated pre-ovulatory follicles in the live mare. In vitro maturation of immature oocytes typically yields approximately 60% mature oocytes. As standard in vitro fertilization is not yet repeatable in the horse, fertilization is performed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Embryo culture requires medium with high glucose, at least during blastocyst development, and rates of blastocyst development similar to those for cattle (25% to 35%) may be obtained. Pregnancy rates after transfer of in vitro -produced blastocysts are similar to those for embryos recovered ex vivo. [source] Practitioner Review: Computerized assessment of neuropsychological function in children: clinical and research applications of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB)THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 5 2003Monica Luciana Background: Computers have been used for a number of years in neuropsychological assessment to facilitate the scoring, interpretation, and administration of a variety of commonly used tests. There has been recent interest in applying computerized technology to pediatric neuropsychological assessment, which poses unique demands based on the need to interpret performance relative to the child's developmental level. Findings: However, pediatric neuropsychologists have tended to implement computers in the scoring, but not administration, of tests. This trend is changing based on the work of experimental neuropsychologists who frequently combine data obtained from test batteries with lesion or neuroimaging data allowing descriptions of brain,behavior relations to be made with increasing confidence. One such battery is the Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery (CANTAB), and current studies in which the CANTAB has been used to measure executive functions in children are reviewed. Conclusions: Computerized batteries of this type can record aspects of performance that are difficult for psychometrists to achieve, and these may reflect activity in developing neural networks with more sensitivity than can be achieved with traditional tests. However, before computerized test administration becomes a routine part of pediatric neuropsychological assessment, several obstacles must be overcome. Despite these limitations, it is concluded that computerized assessment can improve the field by facilitating the collection of normative and clinical data. [source] Habitat indices for rivers: derivation and applicationsAQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue S1 2010Ian P. Vaughan Abstract 1.River Habitat Survey (RHS) is the standard riverine hydromorphology survey in the UK and modified versions have been adopted in several other European Countries. It aims to broadly characterize physical features over 500,m reaches, but in so doing records more than 100 variables, often making interpretation and data analysis challenging. In such instances, synoptic treatment of the data, creating simple indices such as Habitat Modification and Habitat Quality Assessment scores, can prove beneficial. 2.The derivation of seven new indices is described, summarizing nearly half of the variables used by RHS and providing a quantitative overall summary of river reaches. 3.Derived using an objective analysis of the RHS database (cf expert judgement), one index describes bedrock/boulder channels, two indices describe bank and riparian vegetation and a further two describe aspects of sediment transport and deposition. Two distinct types of modification,,,bank reinforcement and channel re-sectioning,,,are also quantified. 4.Rigorous testing indicates that the indices are reliable across the complete range of conditions and countries in the UK. 5.The new indices are readily interpreted and while providing a simple overview of a river reach, they are objective and quantitative, lending themselves to a range of management and research applications. They have already been used successfully in quantifying riverine bird habitats and this, along with other applications, is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in Diagnostic and Investigative NeuropathologyBRAIN PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Christine E. Fuller MD; Over the last decade, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has emerged as a powerful clinical and research tool for the assessment of target DNA dosages within interphase nuclei. Detectable alterations include aneusomies, deletions, gene amplifications, and translocations, with primary advantages to the pathologist including its basis in morphology, its applicability to archival, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material, and its similarities to immunohistochemistry. Recent technical advances such as improved hybridization protocols, markedly expanded probe availability resulting from the human genome sequencing initiative, and the advent of high-throughput assays such as gene chip and tissue microarrays have greatly enhanced the applicability of FISH. In our lab, we currently utilize only a limited battery of DNA probes for routine diagnostic purposes, with determination of chromosome 1p and 19q dosage in oligodendroglial neoplasms representing the most common application. However, research applications are numerous and will likely translate into a growing list of clinically useful markers in the near future. In this review, we highlight the advantages and disadvantages of FISH and familiarize the reader with current applications in diagnostic and investigative neuropathology. [source] Clinical use and research applications of Heidelberg retinal angiography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography , a reviewCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Andrea Hassenstein MD Abstract Fluorescein angiography (FA) was discovered by Nowotny and Alvis in the 1960s of the 20th century and has evolved to become the ,Gold standard' for macular diagnostics. Scanning laser imaging technology achieved enhancement of contrast and resolution. The combined Heidelberg retina angiograph (HRA2) adds novel innovative features to established fundus cameras. The principle of confocal scanning laser imaging provides a high resolution of retinal and choroidal vasculature with low light exposure providing comfort and safety for the patient. Enhanced contrast, details and image sharpness image are generated using confocality. For the visualization of the choroid an indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) is the most suitable application. The main indications for ICGA are age-related macular degeneration, choroidal polypoidal vasculopathy and choroidal haemangiomas. Simultaneous digital FA and ICGA images with three-dimensional resolution offer improved diagnosis of retinal and choroidal pathologies. High-speed ICGA dynamic imaging can identify feeder vessels and retinal choroidal anastomoses, ensuring safer treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Autofluorescence imaging and fundus reflectance imaging with blue and infrared light offer new follow-up parameters for retinal diseases. Finally, the real-time optical coherence tomography provides a new level of accuracy for assessment of the angiographic and morphological correlation. The combination of various macular diagnostic tools, such as infrared, blue reflectance, fundus autofluorescence, FA, ICGA and also spectral domain optical coherence tomography, lead to a better understanding and improved knowledge of macular diseases. [source] Chip-mediated techniques: how close are we to generalised use in the infectious disease clinic?CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 10 2004F. Hervás Abstract This could be the beginning of a new molecular era for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Biological chips (biochips or microarrays and labchips) offer a potentially important shortcut to early diagnosis and treatment. It is also possible to develop multiplex assays for use in complex diagnostic situations; however, this technology depends crucially on the robotics developed to support these functions, and the soundness of the mathematics employed to analyse the output. Although the number of research applications is increasing, the question as to when, or if, chip-mediated techniques will be used routinely in the infectious disease clinic remains unanswered at present. [source] | ||||||||||||||||