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Research Directions (research + direction)
Kinds of Research Directions Selected AbstractsFRONTIER EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT IN DEPOSIT-TAKING FINANCIAL MUTUALS: A REVIEW OF TECHNIQUES, APPLICATIONS, AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONSANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2010Andrew C. Worthington ABSTRACT,:,Despite the global importance of mutuals in financial services, and the universal need to measure and improve organizational efficiency in all deposit-taking institutions, it is only relatively recently that the most advanced econometric and mathematical programming frontier techniques have been applied. This paper provides a synoptic survey of the comparatively few empirical analyses of frontier efficiency measurement in deposit-taking financial mutuals, comprising savings and loans, building societies and credit unions in Australia, the UK, and the USA. Both estimation and measurement techniques and the determinants of efficiency are examined. Particular focus is placed on how the results of these studies may help inform regulatory policy and managerial behaviour. [source] Emergency Department Services for Patients with Alcohol Problems: Research DirectionsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2003Daniel W. Hungerford DrPH Abstract This report summarizes recommendations on research directions developed from the conference "Alcohol Problems among Emergency Department Patients: Research on Identification and Intervention." The conference was developed in order to evaluate the existing state of the art research on emergency department interventions for alcohol problems, and offer further recommendations for research. [source] Research Directions in Magnesium Corrosion Arising from the Wolfsburg ConferenceADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2004A. AtrensArticle first published online: 19 FEB 200 Following a recent review article in this journal and a keynote lecture at "6th International Conference on Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications" suggestions for research directions in magnesium corrosion are provided and discussed. [source] Acamprosate: Recent Findings and Future Research DirectionsALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2008Karl Mann This article explores the mechanisms of action and the potential responder profile of acamprosate, a compound efficacious in relapse prevention of alcoholism. New evidence at the molecular and cellular level suggests that acamprosate attenuates hyper-glutamatergic states that occur during early abstinence and involves iono (NMDA)- and metabotrotropic (mGluR5) glutamate receptors along with augmented intracellular calcium release and electrophysiological changes. Thus mutant mice with enhanced glutamate levels exhibit higher alcohol consumption than wild type mice and respond better to acamprosate, demonstrating that acamprosate acts mainly on a hyper-glutamatergic system. This mode of action further suggests that acamprosate exhibits neuroprotective properties. In rats, cue-induced reinstatement behavior is significantly reduced by acamprosate treatment whereas cue-induced craving responses in alcohol-dependent patients seem not to be affected by this treatment. An ongoing study ("Project Predict") defines specific responder profiles for an individualized use of acamprosate and naltrexone. Neurophysiological as well as psychometric data are used to define 2 groups of patients: "reward cravers" and "relief cravers". While naltrexone should work better in the first group, acamprosate is hypothesized to be efficacious in the latter where withdrawal associated and/or cue induced hyper-glutamatergic states are thought to trigger relapse. Further research should target the definition of subgroups applying endophenotypic approaches, e.g. by detecting a hyperglutamatergic syndrome using MR spectroscopy. [source] Hepatitis C and Alcohol: Fundamental and Translational Research DirectionsALCOHOLISM, Issue 4 2003Timothy R. Morgan The scientific knowledge base that would inform and direct the development of more effective treatment and intervention strategies for these linked pandemics is inadequate. Therefore, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) organized a workshop in which a multidisciplinary group of experts was asked to review the state-of-the-science specific to alcohol in the context of hepatitis C infection. The panel was charged with identifying newly emerging areas likely to lead to advances in fundamental research and to identify those with the greatest potential for accelerating the development of more effective treatment options. The workshop panel made recommendations for research in four major categories: clinical studies of alcohol and HCV; virology and immunology; liver fibrosis and mechanisms of liver injury; and the development of model systems. This article summarizes the panel's deliberations and their recommendations for future research on alcohol and hepatitis C. [source] Integrating Decision Making and Mental Health Interventions Research: Research DirectionsCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2006Celia E. Wills The importance of incorporating patient and provider decision-making processes is in the forefront of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) agenda for improving mental health interventions and services. Key concepts in patient decision making are highlighted within a simplified model of patient decision making that links patient-level/"micro" variables to services-level/"macro" variables via the decision-making process that is a target for interventions. The prospective agenda for incorporating decision-making concepts in mental health research includes (a) improved measures for characterizing decision-making processes that are matched to study populations, complexity, and types of decision making; (b) testing decision aids in effectiveness research for diverse populations and clinical settings; and (c) improving the understanding and incorporation of preference concepts in enhanced intervention designs. [source] Current status of amorphous formulation and other special dosage forms as formulations for early clinical phasesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2009Kohsaku Kawakami Abstract Although most chemists in the pharmaceutical industry have a good understanding on favorable physicochemical properties for drug candidates, formulators must still deal with many challenging candidates. On the other hand, formulators are not allowed to spend much time on formulation development for early phases of the clinical studies. Thus, it is basically difficult to apply special dosage form technologies to the candidates for the first-in-human formulations. Despite the availability of numerous reviews on oral special dosage forms, information on their applicability as the early phase formulation has been limited. This article describes quick review on the oral special dosage forms that may be applied to the early clinical formulations, followed by discussion focused on the amorphous formulations, which still has relatively many issues to be proved for the general use. The major problems that inhibit the use of the amorphous formulation are difficulty in the manufacturing and the poor chemical/physical stability. Notably, the poor physical stability can be critical, because of not the poor stability itself but the difficulty in the timely evaluation in the preclinical developmental timeframes. Research directions of the amorphous formulations are suggested to utilize this promising technology without disturbing the preclinical developmental timelines. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:2875,2885, 2009 [source] Contemporary issues and future directions for research into pathological gamblingADDICTION, Issue 8 2000Article first published online: 2 SEP 200 The recent healthy increase in research into all aspects of gambling is noted. The dominant theme accounting for most of this research is the mental disorder model of pathological gambling and measures that have been derived from this conceptualization. It is suggested that an alternative approach focusing on the construct of choice or subjective control over gambling may be a research direction that will ensure that progress is maintained. In this paper a context for the discussion is provided by first identifying briefly fundamental conceptual and methodological issues associated with the mental disorder model. In particular it is argued that the heterogeneity of the diagnosis of pathological gambling makes the research task of assessing truly independent variables extremely difficult. Subsequently an illustrative schema is presented that demonstrates both the potential advantages and some of the complexities associated with the dependent variable of self-control over gambling behaviour. The main advantages are argued to be (a) the focus of research is narrowed to one potential cause of harmful impacts rather than the great diversity of impacts themselves, (b) prospective studies of regular gamblers in real gambling venues may be a key source of insight into the development of pathological gambling and (c) it promotes the development of theoretical links with the mainstream of the discipline of psychology. Despite the conceptual difficulties that may be associated with the variable of self-control, it is suggested that these may be overcome because contemporary research into the addictive behaviours has demonstrated considerable success in the definition and measurement of control and related themes such as craving, restraint and temptation. [source] The development of 3-D visualization technology: the potential impact on interior design and its consumersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 5 2009Seunghae Lee Abstract Three-dimensional visualization has developed and improved significantly over the last several decades and resulted in consumers' having multidimensional, multi-sensory experiences with a wide range of products and services. It has affected the built environment and its related businesses. Designers create 3-D images and walk-through animations to communicate with their clients more clearly, starting from the early stage of the design process. The interior,design-related material manufacturers and retailers have enhanced their online stores with 3-D visualization features to improve their interactivity and provide user-friendly interfaces for product information search and purchase planning. Because of the continuing widespread interest in 3-D visualization and the amount of its applications in the interior design field, a review of this area was a necessity to suggest the future research direction for the development of 3-D visualization in interior design. This paper sought to demonstrate the status of the development of 3-D visualization and its impact on the interior design field and its consumers while highlighting an area where future research is a potentially considerable benefit in developing 3-D visualization in interior design. [source] Changing concepts of bladder regenerationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 8 2007Akihiro Kanematsu Abstract: During the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in studies aimed at regeneration of the urinary bladder. Many studies employed animal-derived or synthetic materials as grafts for experimental bladder augmentation models, with or without additional measures to promote regeneration, such as autologous cell transplantation or growth factor loading. However, in spite of encouraging results in several reports, few methodologies have shown proven definitive clinical utility. One major problem in these studies is the lack of a clear distinction between native and regenerated bladder in total bladder function after augmentation. Another crucial problem is the absorption and shrinkage of larger grafts, which may result from insufficient vascular supply and smooth muscle regeneration. In contrast, researchers have recently attempted to establish alternative regenerative strategies for treating bladder diseases, and have employed far more diverse approaches according to the various pathological conditions to be treated. For total replacement of the bladder after cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer, urothelium-covered neobladder with non-urinary tract backbone remains a viable choice. In addition, functional bladder diseases such as urinary incontinence, weak detrusor, or non-compliant fibrotic bladder have also been major targets for many leading research groups in this field. These conditions are studied much more from different therapeutic standpoints, aiming at the prevention or reversal of pathological conditions in muscle remodeling or neural control. Such altered research direction would inevitably lead to less surgically based basic biological research, and also would include a far wider spectrum of adult and pediatric bladder diseases, from overactive bladder to dysfunctional voiding. [source] Epigenetic effects of infection on the phenotype of host offspring: parasites reaching across host generationsOIKOS, Issue 3 2008Robert Poulin Parasite-induced changes in host phenotype are now well-documented from a wide range of taxa. There is a growing body of evidence indicating that parasites can also have trans-generational consequences, with infection of a host leading to changes in the phenotype of its offspring, though the latter are not parasitised. Several proximate mechanisms have been put forward to explain these ,maternal' effects, most involving hormonal or other physiological pathways, ultimately leading to offspring that are pre-adapted to the parasites they are most likely to encounter based on their mother's experience. Here, we propose that all these trans-generational effects on offspring phenotype must involve epigenetic phenomena. Epigenetics concerns the appearance and inheritance of seemingly new phenotypic traits without changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Since diet and other environmental factors experienced by a mother can affect gene expression in her offspring by turning genes ,on' or ,off' (for example, via DNA methylation), why couldn't parasites do it? Although epigenetic effects have not been explicitly invoked to account for trans-generational impacts of parasites on the phenotype of host offspring, the existing evidence is fully compatible with their involvement. We argue that epigenetic mechanisms must play a central role; we also discuss their evolutionary implications and suggest questions for future investigations in this new and exciting research direction. [source] Role of hypoxia and cAMP in the transdifferentiation of human fetal cardiac fibroblasts: Implications for progression to scarring in autoimmune-associated congenital heart blockARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 12 2007Robert M. Clancy Objective Identification of isolated congenital heart block (CHB) predicts, with near certainty, the presence of maternal anti-SSA/Ro antibodies; however, the 2% incidence of CHB in first offspring of anti-SSA/Ro+ mothers, 20% recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, and discordance in identical twins suggest that an environmental factor amplifies the effect of the antibody. Accordingly, this study was carried out to explore the hypothesis that hypoxia potentiates a profibrosing phenotype of the fetal cardiac fibroblast. Methods Evidence of an effect of hypoxia was sought by immunohistologic evaluation of CHB-affected fetal heart tissue and by determination of erythropoietin levels in cord blood. The in vitro effect of hypoxia on gene expression and phenotype in fibroblasts derived from fetal hearts and lungs was investigated by Affymetrix arrays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. Results In vivo hypoxic exposure was supported by the prominent intracellular fibroblast expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, in conduction tissue from 2 fetuses in whom CHB led to death. The possibility that hypoxia was sustained was suggested by significantly elevated erythropoietin levels in cord blood from CHB-affected, as compared with unaffected, anti-SSA/Ro,exposed neonates. In vitro exposure of cardiac fibroblasts to hypoxia resulted in transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts (a scarring phenotype), as demonstrated on immunoblots and immunofluorescence by increased expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA), an effect not seen in lung fibroblasts. Hypoxia-exposed cardiac fibroblasts expressed adrenomedullin at 4-fold increased levels, as determined by Affymetrix array, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence, thus focusing attention on cAMP as a modulator of fibrosis. MDL12,330A, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor that lowers the levels of cAMP, increased expression of fibrosis-related proteins (mammalian target of rapamycin, SMA, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, and type I collagen), while the cAMP activator forskolin attenuated transforming growth factor ,,elicited fibrosing end points in the cardiac fibroblasts. Conclusion These findings provide evidence that hypoxia may amplify the injurious effects of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Modulation of cAMP may be a key component in the scarring phenotype. Further assessment of the susceptibility of cardiac fibroblasts to cAMP modulation offers a new research direction in CHB. [source] The discovery of biological enantioselectivity: Louis Pasteur and the fermentation of tartaric acid, 1857,A review and analysis 150 yr laterCHIRALITY, Issue 1 2008Joseph Gal Abstract Nearly a decade after discovering molecular chirality in 1848, Louis Pasteur changed research direction and began investigating fermentations. Conflicting explanations have been given for this switch to microbiology, but the evidence strongly suggests that Pasteur's appointment in 1854 to the University of Lille,an agricultural-industrial region where fermentation-based manufacturing was of great importance,and an appeal for help in 1856 by a local manufacturer experiencing problems in his beetroot-fermentation-based alcohol production played a significant role. Thus began, in late 1856, Pasteur's pioneering studies of lactic and alcoholic fermentations. In 1857, reportedly as a result of a laboratory mishap, he found that in incubations of ammonium (±)-tartrate with unidentified microorganisms (+)-tartaric acid was consumed with considerable preference over (,)-tartaric acid. In 1860, he demonstrated a similar enantioselectivity in the metabolism of tartaric acid by Penicillium glaucum, a common mold. Chance likely played a significant role both in Pasteur's shift to microbiology and his discovery of enantioselective tartrate fermentations, but he rejected pure serendipity as a significant factor in experimental science and in his own career. Pasteur's milestone discovery of biological enantioselectivity began the process that in the long run established the fundamental importance of molecular chirality in biology. biology. Chirality, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Managing very large distributed data sets on a data gridCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 11 2010Miguel Branco Abstract In this work we address the management of very large data sets, which need to be stored and processed across many computing sites. The motivation for our work is the ATLAS experiment for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), where the authors have been involved in the development of the data management middleware. This middleware, called DQ2, has been used for the last several years by the ATLAS experiment for shipping petabytes of data to research centres and universities worldwide. We describe our experience in developing and deploying DQ2 on the Worldwide LHC computing Grid, a production Grid infrastructure formed of hundreds of computing sites. From this operational experience, we have identified an important degree of uncertainty that underlies the behaviour of large Grid infrastructures. This uncertainty is subjected to a detailed analysis, leading us to present novel modelling and simulation techniques for Data Grids. In addition, we discuss what we perceive as practical limits to the development of data distribution algorithms for Data Grids given the underlying infrastructure uncertainty, and propose future research directions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] PUBLIC PREFERENCES FOR REHABILITATION VERSUS INCARCERATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS: EVIDENCE FROM A CONTINGENT VALUATION SURVEY,CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 4 2006DANIEL S. NAGIN Research Summary: Accurately gauging the public's support for alternative responses to juvenile offending is important, because policy makers often justify expenditures for punitive juvenile justice reforms on the basis of popular demand for tougher policies. In this study, we assess public support for both punitively and nonpunitively oriented juvenile justice policies by measuring respondents' willingness to pay for various policy proposals. We employ a methodology known as "contingent valuation" (CV) that permits the comparison of respondents' willingness to pay (WTP) for competing policy alternatives. Specifically, we compare CV-based estimates for the public's WTP for two distinctively different responses to serious juvenile crime: incarceration and rehabilitation. An additional focus of our analysis is an examination of the public's WTP for an early childhood prevention program. The analysis indicates that the public is at least as willing to pay for rehabilitation as punishment for juvenile offenders and that WTP for early childhood prevention is also substantial. Implications and future research directions are outlined. Policy Implications: The findings suggest that lawmakers should more actively consider policies grounded in rehabilitation, and, perhaps, be slower to advocate for punitive reforms in response to public concern over high-profile juvenile crimes. Additionally, our willingness to pay findings offer encouragement to lawmakers who are uncomfortable with the recent trend toward punitive juvenile justice policies and would like to initiate more moderate reforms. Such lawmakers may be reassured that the public response to such initiatives will not be hostile. Just as importantly, reforms that emphasize leniency and rehabilitation can be justified economically as welfare-enhancing expenditures of public funds. The evidence that the public values rehabilitation more than increased incarceration should be important information to cost-conscious legislators considering how to allocate public funds. Cost-conscious legislatures may become disenchanted with punitive juvenile justice policies on economic grounds and pursue policies that place greater emphasis on rehabilitation. They may be reassured, on the basis of our findings, that the public will support this move. [source] The Attentional Resource Allocation Scale (ARAS): psychometric properties of a composite measure for dissociation and absorption,DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 8 2010R. N. Carleton M.A. Abstract Background: Differences in attentional processes have been linked to the development and maintenance of psychopathology. Shifts in such processes have been described by the constructs Dissociation and Absorption. Dissociation occurs when external and/or internal stimuli are excluded from consciousness due to discrepant, rather than unitary, manifestations of cognitive awareness [Erdelyi MH. 1994: Int J Clin Exp Hypnosis 42:379,390]. In contrast, absorption can be conceptualized by a focus on limited stimuli, to the exclusion of other stimuli, because of unifying, rather than discrepant, manifestations of cognitive awareness. The Dissociative Experiences Scale [DES; Bernstein EM, Putnam FW. 1986: J Nerv Ment Dis 174:727,735] and Tellegen Absorption Scale [TAS; Tellegen A, Atkinson G. 1974: J Abnorm Psychol 83:268,277] are common measures of each construct; however, no factor analyses are available for the TAS and despite accepted overlap, no one has assessed the DES and TAS items simultaneously. Previous research suggests the constructs and factor structures need clarification, possibly including more parsimonious item inclusion [Lyons LC, Crawford HJ. 1997: Person Individ Diff 23:1071,1084]. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of the DES and TAS and create a psychometrically stable measure of Dissociation and Absorption. Methods: This study included data from an undergraduate (n=841; 76% women) and a community sample (n=233; 86% women) who each completed the DES and TAS. Results: Exploratory factor analyses [Osborne JW (ed). 2008: Best Practices in Quantitative Methods. Los Angeles: Sage Publications Inc.] with all DES and TAS items suggested a 15-item 3-factor solution (i.e., imaginative involvement, dissociative amnesia, attentional dissociation). Confirmatory factor analyses resulted in excellent fit indices for the same solution. Conclusions: The items and factors were conceptualized in line with precedent research as the Attentional Resource Allocation Scale (ARAS). Comprehensive results, implications, and future research directions are discussed. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Factorial validity of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in men and womenDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 4 2001Kristi D. Wright B.A. Abstract In an effort to confirm the factorial validity of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) across sex, the items from the CTQ for 916 university students were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis. Results indicated that the factor structure for the CTQ was significantly different for men and women. For women, the items from the Physical Abuse subscale did not create a stable factor and thus appear not to be conceptually valid. Conversely, for men, the five-factor model provided a relatively good fit to the data. This investigation provides important information regarding sex differences in the factorial validity of the CTQ. Implications and future research directions are discussed. Depression and Anxiety 13:179,183, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The neurobiological profile of girls with ADHDDEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 4 2008E. Mark Mahone Abstract Since boys are more commonly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than girls, the majority of theories and published research studies of ADHD have been based on samples comprised primarily (or exclusively) of boys. While psychosocial impairment in girls with ADHD is well established, the neuropsychological and neurobiological basis of these deficits is less consistently observed. There is growing evidence that boys' and girls' brains develop and mature at different rates, suggesting that the trajectory of early anomalous brain development in ADHD may also be sex-specific. It remains unclear, however, whether earlier brain maturation observed in girls with ADHD is protective. In this review, we outline the current theory and research findings that seek to establish a unique neurobiological profile of girls with ADHD, highlighting sex differences in typical brain development and among children with ADHD. The review highlights findings from neurological, neurocognitive, and behavioral studies. Future research directions are suggested, including the need for longitudinal neuroimaging and neurobehavioral investigation beginning as early as the preschool years, and continuing through adolescence and adulthood, with consideration of identified sex differences in the development of ADHD. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2008;14:276,284. [source] Scale-dependence in species-area relationshipsECOGRAPHY, Issue 6 2005Will R. Turner Species-area relationships (SARs) are among the most studied phenomena in ecology, and are important both to our basic understanding of biodiversity and to improving our ability to conserve it. But despite many advances to date, our knowledge of how various factors contribute to SARs is limited, searches for single causal factors are often inconclusive, and true predictive power remains elusive. We believe that progress in these areas has been impeded by 1) an emphasis on single-factor approaches and thinking of factors underlying SARs as mutually exclusive hypotheses rather than potentially interacting processes, and 2) failure to place SAR-generating factors in a scale-dependent framework. We here review mathematical, ecological, and evolutionary factors contributing to species-area relationships, synthesizing major hypotheses from the literature in a scale-dependent context. We then highlight new research directions and unanswered questions raised by this scale-dependent synthesis. [source] Extraordinarily widespread and fantastically complex: comparative biology of endosymbiotic bacterial and fungal mutualists of insectsECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2010Cara M. Gibson Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 223,234 Abstract Endosymbiosis is a pervasive, powerful force in arthropod evolution. In the recent literature, bacterial symbionts of insects have been shown to function as reproductive manipulators, nutritional mutualists and as defenders of their hosts. Fungi, like bacteria, are also frequently associated with insects. Initial estimates suggest that insect,fungal endosymbionts are hyperdiverse, yet there has been comparatively little research investigating the roles that fungi play in their insect hosts. In many systems in which the bacterial symbionts are well-characterized, the possible presence of fungi has been routinely ignored. Why has there been so little research on this important group of symbionts? Here, we explore the differences between fungal and bacterial endosymbiotic insect mutualists. We make predictions about why a bacterium or fungus might be found associated with an insect host given particular ecological, physiological, or evolutionary conditions. We also touch on the various hurdles for studying fungal vs. bacterial endosymbionts and potential future research directions. [source] Affinity Biosensors Based on Electropolymerized FilmsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 19 2005Serge Cosnier Abstract This review gives an overview on different types of affinity biosensors based on electropolymerized polymer films that are becoming an important class of analytical tools. These affinity biosensors may be classified according to the strategy used for their fabrication, namely entrapment within polymers during their electrochemical growth, simple adsorption onto electropolymerized films, chemical coupling or affinity interactions between bioreceptors and electropolymerized films or direct electrochemical polymerization of the bioreceptor itself. Recently opened perspectives and potential research directions are also discussed. [source] Why Research on Women Entrepreneurs Needs New DirectionsENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 5 2006Helene Ahl Research articles on women's entrepreneurship reveal, in spite of intentions to the contrary and in spite of inconclusive research results, a tendency to recreate the idea of women as being secondary to men and of women's businesses being of less significance or, at best, as being a complement. Based on a discourse analysis, this article discusses what research practices cause these results. It suggests new research directions that do not reproduce women's subordination but capture more and richer aspects of women's entrepreneurship. [source] Emergency Department Services for Patients with Alcohol Problems: Research DirectionsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 1 2003Daniel W. Hungerford DrPH Abstract This report summarizes recommendations on research directions developed from the conference "Alcohol Problems among Emergency Department Patients: Research on Identification and Intervention." The conference was developed in order to evaluate the existing state of the art research on emergency department interventions for alcohol problems, and offer further recommendations for research. [source] Trends, challenges and opportunities in power quality researchEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 1 2010Math H. J. Bollen Abstract This paper outlines a number of possible research directions in power quality. The introduction of new sources of generation will introduce the need for new research on voltage,magnitude variations, harmonic emission and harmonic resonance. Statistical performance indicators are expected to play an important role in addressing the hosting capacity of the power system for these new sources. The quickly growing amounts of power-quality data call for automatic analysis methods. Advanced signal-processing tools need to be developed and applied to address this challenge. Equipment with an active power-electronic interface generates waveform distortion at higher frequencies than existing equipment. The emission, spread, consequences and mitigation of this distortion require more research emphasis. The growing complexity of the power system calls for remote identification of system events and load transitions. Future DC networks, at different voltage levels, require the research on DC power quality next to AC power quality. Research on methods to describe and analyse time-varying harmonics has applications in a number of the above-mentioned issues. So does the use of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and real-time-digital simulation. Existing power quality standards should not form a barrier against future research; instead research should result in improved standards as well as completely new concepts. Examples are: voltage dips in three-phase systems, flicker due to non-incandescent lamps, and voltage variations on the timescale between 1,second and 10,minutes. All together, it is concluded in this paper that sufficient important and interesting research challenges and opportunities remain in the power quality area. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Research Directions in Magnesium Corrosion Arising from the Wolfsburg ConferenceADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2004A. AtrensArticle first published online: 19 FEB 200 Following a recent review article in this journal and a keynote lecture at "6th International Conference on Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications" suggestions for research directions in magnesium corrosion are provided and discussed. [source] Forgiveness in Marriage: Current Status and Future DirectionsFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 4 2006Frank D. Fincham Abstract: Interest in forgiveness has exploded in recent years as researchers and clinicians have begun to recognize its value for maintaining emotional well-being, physical health, and healthy intimate relationships. Forgiveness appears to be especially important in the marital relationship. This article offers an overview of forgiveness in marriage including a review of major research and clinical efforts in this area. A number of recommendations are offered for practitioners and future research directions are outlined. Marital forgiveness is seen as an exciting area for future exploration and one that is ripe with possibility. [source] The Voices of Black and White Rural Battered Women in Domestic Violence Shelters,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 4 2005April L. Few Abstract: Very little research has examined the experiences of Black and White rural battered women. In this exploratory study of 88 participants, 30 rural battered women who sought assistance from domestic violence shelters in southwest Virginia were interviewed. Black and White rural women's experiences in the shelters, helpseeking, and perceived social support during and after their stay in the shelter were compared. Future research directions and suggestions to improve services are presented. [source] Template-Directed Liquid ALD Growth of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays: Properties and Potential in Photovoltaic DevicesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 9 2010Thelese R. B. Foong Abstract Dense and well-aligned arrays of TiO2 nanotubes extending from various substrates are successfully fabricated via a new liquid-phase atomic layer deposition (LALD) in nanoporous anodic alumina (AAO) templates followed by alumina dissolution. The facile and versatile process circumvents the need for vacuum conditions critical in traditional gas-phase ALD and yet confers ALD-like deposition rates of 1.6,2.2,Å cycle,1, rendering smooth conformal nanotube walls that surpass those achievable by sol,gel and Ti-anodizing techniques. The nanotube dimensions can be tuned, with most robust structures being 150,400,nm tall, 60,70,nm in diameter with 5,20,nm thick walls. The viability of TiO2 nanotube arrays deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO),glass electrodes for application in model hybrid poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT):TiO2 solar cells is studied. The results achieved provide platforms and research directions for further advancements. [source] Enhancing catch-and-release science with biotelemetryFISH AND FISHERIES, Issue 1 2008Michael R. Donaldson Abstract Catch-and-release (C&R) angling is widely practised by anglers and is a common fisheries management strategy or is a by-product of harvest regulations. Accordingly, there is a growing body of research that examines not only the mortality associated with C&R, but also the sublethal physiological and behavioural consequences. Biotelemetry offers a powerful means of remotely monitoring the behaviour, physiology and mortality of fish caught and released in their natural environment, but we contend that its usefulness is still underappreciated by scholars and managers. In this study, we review the applications of biotelemetry in C&R science, identify novel research directions, opportunities and challenges. There are now about 250 C&R studies but only one quarter of these utilize biotelemetry. In fact, almost all of the C&R studies that have used biotelemetry have been conducted within the last decade. We found that the majority of C&R telemetry studies used either radio or acoustic telemetry, while comparatively few studies have used satellite technologies. Most C&R biotelemetry studies have been used to assess mortality rates, behavioural impairments or to evaluate the effects of displacement on fish. A small fraction of studies (<8%) have used physiological sensors despite the fact that these tools are highly applicable to understanding the multiple sublethal consequences of C&R and are useful for providing mechanistic insights into endpoints such as death. We conclude that C&R science has the potential to benefit greatly from biotelemetry technology, particularly with respect to providing more robust short-term and delayed mortality estimates and adopting a more integrative and comparative approach to understanding the lethal and sublethal impacts of C&R. However, there are still a number of challenges including (i) the need for appropriate controls and methodological approaches, (ii) the need for accounting for tagging and handling stress and mortality, and (iii) the need for certainty in assessing mortality. However, the benefits associated with C&R biotelemetry outweigh its disadvantages and limitations and thereby offer C&R researchers a suite of new tools to enhance fisheries management and conservation. [source] Potential changes in skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) habitat from a global warming scenario: modelling approach and preliminary resultsFISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY, Issue 4-5 2003Harilaos Loukos Abstract Recent studies suggest a reduction of primary production in the tropical oceans because of changes in oceanic circulation under global warming conditions caused by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. This might affect the productivity of medium and higher trophic levels with potential consequences on marine resources such as tropical tuna. Here we combine the projections of up-to-date climate and ocean biogeochemical models with recent concepts of representation of fish habitat based on prey abundance and ambient temperature to gain some insight into the impact of climate change on skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), the species that dominates present-day tuna catch. For a world with doubled atmospheric CO2 concentration, our results suggest significant large-scale changes of skipjack habitat in the equatorial Pacific. East of the date line, conditions could be improved by an extension of the present favourable habitat zones of the western equatorial Pacific, a feature reminiscent of warming conditions associated with El Niño events. Despite its simplicity and the associated underlying hypothesis, this first simulation is used to stress future research directions and key issues for modelling developments associated to global change. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||