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Selected AbstractsNon-invasive monitoring of muscle blood perfusion by photoplethysmography: evaluation of a new applicationACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2005M. Sandberg Abstract Aim:, To evaluate a specially developed photoplethysmographic (PPG) technique, using green and near-infrared light sources, for simultaneous non-invasive monitoring of skin and muscle perfusion. Methods:, Evaluation was based on assessments of changes in blood perfusion to various provocations, such as post-exercise hyperaemia and hyperaemia following the application of liniment. The deep penetrating feature of PPG was investigated by measurement of optical radiation inside the muscle. Simultaneous measurements using ultrasound Doppler and the new PPG application were performed to elucidate differences between the two methods. Specific problems related to the influence of skin temperature on blood flow were highlightened, as well. Results:, Following static and dynamic contractions an immediate increase in muscle perfusion was shown, without increase in skin perfusion. Liniment application to the skin induced a rapid increase in skin perfusion, but not in muscle. Both similarities and differences in blood flow measured by Ultrasound Doppler and PPG were demonstrated. The radiant power measured inside the muscle, by use of an optical fibre, showed that the near-infrared light penetrates down to the vascular depth inside the muscle. Conclusions:, The results of this study indicate the potentiality of the method for non-invasive measurement of local muscle perfusion, although some considerations still have to be accounted for, such as influence of temperature on blood perfusion. [source] Deduction and Justification in the Law.RATIO JURIS, Issue 2 2004Concepts, The Role of Legal Terms The paper distinguishes two problems regarding this use. One is the logical function of terms for deduction within a normative system. Specific problems dealt with in this connection are meaning, definition, and economy of expression. The other problem connected with middle terms is the "moulding" and possible manipulation of the meaning of legal terms, for arriving at desired conclusions in a given scheme of inference. It is indicated how the moulding of contested legal concepts, if not restricted, will obscure the ratio of legal rules. This problem is relevant, inter alia, to arguments ex analogia in the law. [source] Single QTL mapping and nucleotide-level resolution of a physiologic trait in wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae strainsFEMS YEAST RESEARCH, Issue 6 2007Philippe Marullo Abstract Natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains exhibit very large genotypic and phenotypic diversity. However, the link between phenotype variation and genetic determinism is still difficult to identify, especially in wild populations. Using genome hybridization on DNA microarrays, it is now possible to identify single-feature polymorphisms among divergent yeast strains. This tool offers the possibility of applying quantitative genetics to wild yeast strains. In this instance, we studied the genetic basis for variations in acetic acid production using progeny derived from two strains from grape must isolates. The trait was quantified during alcoholic fermentation of the two strains and 108 segregants derived from their crossing. A genetic map of 2212 markers was generated using oligonucleotide microarrays, and a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) was mapped with high significance. Further investigations showed that this QTL was due to a nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism that targeted the catalytic core of asparaginase type I (ASP1) and abolished its activity. This QTL was only effective when asparagine was used as a major nitrogen source. Our results link nitrogen assimilation and CO2 production rate to acetic acid production, as well as, on a broader scale, illustrating the specific problem of quantitative genetics when working with nonlaboratory microorganisms. [source] A three dimensional surface-to-surface projection algorithm for non-coincident domains,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2003M. W. Heinstein Abstract A numerical procedure is outlined to achieve the least squares projection of a finite dimensional representation from one surface to another in three dimensions. Although the applications of such an algorithm are many, the specific problem considered is the mortar tying of dissimilarly meshed grids in large deformation solid mechanics. The algorithm includes a nearest neighbour search, a systematic subdivision of the surface of intersection into smooth subdomains (termed segments), and a robust numerical quadrature scheme for evaluation of the spatial integrals defining the mortar projection. The procedure outlined, while discussed for the mesh tying problem, is directly applicable to the study of contact-impact. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Crystal fingerprint space , a novel paradigm for studying crystal-structure setsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 5 2010Mario Valle The initial aim of the crystal fingerprint project was to solve a very specific problem: to classify and remove duplicate crystal structures from the results generated by the evolutionary crystal-structure predictor USPEX. These duplications decrease the genetic diversity of the population used by the evolutionary algorithm, potentially leading to stagnation and, after a certain time, reducing the likelihood of predicting essentially new structures. After solving the initial problem, the approach led to unexpected discoveries: unforeseen correlations, useful derived quantities and insight into the structure of the overall set of results. All of these were facilitated by the project's underlying idea: to transform the structure sets from the physical configuration space to an abstract, high-dimensional space called the fingerprint space. Here every structure is represented as a point whose coordinates (fingerprint) are computed from the crystal structure. Then the space's distance measure, interpreted as structure `closeness', enables grouping of structures into similarity classes. This model provides much flexibility and facilitates access to knowledge and algorithms from fields outside crystallography, e.g. pattern recognition and data mining. The current usage of the fingerprint-space model is revealing interesting properties that relate to chemical and crystallographic attributes of a structure set. For this reason, the mapping of structure sets to fingerprint space could become a new paradigm for studying crystal-structure ensembles and global chemical features of the energy landscape. [source] Protocol Optimization for Long-Term Liquid Storage of Goat Semen in a Chemically Defined ExtenderREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 6 2009B-T Zhao Contents A specific problem in the preservation of goat semen has been the detrimental effect of seminal plasma on the viability of spermatozoa in extenders containing egg yolk or milk. The use of chemically defined extenders will have obvious advantages in liquid storage of buck semen. Our previous study showed that the self-made mZAP extender performed better than commercial extenders, and maintained a sperm motility of 34% for 9 days and a fertilizing potential for successful pregnancies for 7 days. The aim of this study was to extend the viability and fertilizing potential of liquid-stored goat spermatozoa by optimizing procedures for semen processing and storage in the mZAP extender. Semen samples collected from five goat bucks of the Lubei White and Boer breeds were diluted with the extender, cooled and stored at 5°C. Stored semen was evaluated for sperm viability parameters, every 48 h of storage. Data from three ejaculates of different bucks were analysed for each treatment. The percentage data were arcsine-transformed before being analysed with anova and Duncan's multiple comparison test. While cooling at the rate of 0.1,0.25°C/min did not affect sperm viability parameters, doing so at the rate of 0.6°C/min from 30 to 15°C reduced goat sperm motility and membrane integrity. Sperm motility and membrane integrity were significantly higher in semen coated with the extender containing 20% egg yolk than in non-coated semen. Sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosomal intactness were significantly higher when coated semen was 21-fold diluted than when it was 11- or 51-fold diluted and when extender was renewed at 48-h intervals than when it was not renewed during storage. When goat semen coated with the egg yolk-containing extender was 21-fold diluted, cooled at the rate of 0.07,0.25°C/min, stored at 5°C and the extender renewed every 48 h, a sperm motility of 48% was maintained for 13 days, and an in vitro -fertilizing potential similar to that of fresh semen was maintained for 11 days. [source] Simulation of drying process of corn kernels during microwave and convective treatmentASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2007Gábor Bihercz Abstract Drying is a necessary technology and a very energy-demanding process in the area of meat and vegetable processing; it is a tool for finishing semiprocessed or processed goods. Taking the given conditions into consideration, development of technology is necessary, which serves several aims that are often in disagreement with each other (in terms of improvement of availability value, avoidance of artificial additives, energy optimization, reduction of other cost factors, etc.). Until now, several scientific works have been published serving solutions for one specific problem of practice. The main idiosyncrasy of these works is the difference between their methods and availability; hence these are unsuitable to give a uniform model for products with different physical-biological properties: because, it goes without saying, circumstances of their birth as well as their aims differ so much. Computer support nowadays allows us to build a uniform model based on previous research and auxiliary measurement results, which can simulate the drying process of some of the most important agricultural products. Copyright © 2007 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] What Questions Are We Trying to Answer With Our Psychotherapy Research?CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2002James P. McCullough Jr. The Luborsky et al. (2002) meta-analytic article is discussed in terms of (1) its lack of treatment-patient (independent variable) specificity concerns and (2) its failure to address an essential goal of psychotherapy research: "What treatment, by whom, is most effective for this individual with that specific problem, under which set of circumstances" (Paul, 1967, p .111). This article presents one single-case study and reviews seven other studies to illustrate how treatment-patient specificity foci can lead to different treatment outcome conclusions than the ones offered by Luborsky and his colleagues. I propose and discuss an alternative research approach that takes treatment-patient specificity variables into account. [source] COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL MODEL ENSEMBLES FOR AUTONOMOUS VIRTUAL CHARACTERSCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 2 2010Jeffrey S. Whiting Cognitive and behavioral models have become popular methods for creating autonomous self-animating characters. Creating these models present the following challenges: (1) creating a cognitive or behavioral model is a time-intensive and complex process that must be done by an expert programmer and (2) the models are created to solve a specific problem in a given environment and because of their specific nature cannot be easily reused. Combining existing models together would allow an animator, without the need for a programmer, to create new characters in less time and to leverage each model's strengths, resulting in an increase in the character's performance and in the creation of new behaviors and animations. This article provides a framework that can aggregate existing behavioral and cognitive models into an ensemble. An animator has only to rate how appropriately a character performs in a set of scenarios and the system then uses machine learning to determine how the character should act given the current situation. Empirical results from multiple case studies validate the approach. [source] HYBRID ACE: COMBINING SEARCH DIRECTIONS FOR HEURISTIC PLANNINGCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3 2005Dimitris Vrakas One of the most promising trends in Domain-Independent AI Planning, nowadays, is state-space heuristic planning. The planners of this category construct general but efficient heuristic functions, which are used as a guide to traverse the state space either in a forward or in a backward direction. Although specific problems may favor one or the other direction, there is no clear evidence why any of them should be generally preferred. This paper presents Hybrid-AcE, a domain-independent planning system that combines search in both directions utilizing a complex criterion that monitors the progress of the search, to switch between them. Hybrid AcE embodies two powerful domain-independent heuristic functions extending one of the AcE planning systems. Moreover, the system is equipped with a fact-ordering technique and two methods for problem simplification that limit the search space and guide the algorithm to the most promising states. The bi-directional system has been tested on a variety of problems adopted from the AIPS planning competitions with quite promising results. [source] The emergence of the chordate body plan: some puzzles and problemsACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 1 2010Thurston C. Lacalli Abstract Lacalli, T.C. 2010. The emergence of the chordate body plan: some puzzles and problems. ,Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 4,10 Rather than being sessile filter feeders, ancestral chordates are now thought to have evolved from more active benthic animals, possibly hemichordate-like, that took to swimming, to generate something resembling modern amphioxus. This general picture conceals a number of specific problems that underline how little we understand the transition in detail. I will address three. First, and closest to resolution is the issue of dorsoventral inversion, which has implications for understanding how an internalized brain evolved. This is because the mouth, dorsal after inversion, has first to be moved out of the way. Its migration down the left side of the head during amphioxus development may be a recapitulation of this event. Two other puzzles, both further from resolution are: (1) the significance, if any, of the neurenteric canal, which may be telling us something important about the true nature of deuterostomy, specifically whether hemichordates and echinoderms are deuterostomes for a different reason than chordates, and (2) whether the functional digestive tract of chordates is a secondary replacement of an earlier structure whose fate remains unexplained. Resolving these latter two issues will require a better understanding of molecular level events during development in protochordates and their immediate invertebrate relatives. [source] EFNS guidelines on cognitive rehabilitation: report of an EFNS task forceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2005Members of the Task Force on Cognitive Rehabilitation Disorders of language, spatial perception, attention, memory, calculation and praxis are a frequent consequence of acquired brain damage [in particular, stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI)] and a major determinant of disability. The rehabilitation of aphasia and, more recently, of other cognitive disorders is an important area of neurological rehabilitation. We report here a review of the available evidence about effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation. Given the limited number and generally low quality of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in this area of therapeutic intervention, the Task Force considered, besides the available Cochrane reviews, evidence of lower classes which was critically analysed until a consensus was reached. In particular, we considered evidence from small group or single cases studies including an appropriate statistical evaluation of effect sizes. The general conclusion is that there is evidence to award a grade A, B or C recommendation to some forms of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with neuropsychological deficits in the post-acute stage after a focal brain lesion (stroke, TBI). These include aphasia therapy, rehabilitation of unilateral spatial neglect (ULN), attentional training in the post-acute stage after TBI, the use of electronic memory aids in memory disorders, and the treatment of apraxia with compensatory strategies. There is clearly a need for adequately designed studies in this area, which should take into account specific problems such as patient heterogeneity and treatment standardization. [source] Evolving modular networks with genetic algorithms: application to nonlinear time seriesEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 4 2004A.S. Cofiño Abstract: A key problem of modular neural networks is finding the optimal aggregation of the different subtasks (or modules) of the problem at hand. Functional networks provide a partial solution to this problem, since the inter-module topology is obtained from domain knowledge (functional relationships and symmetries). However, the learning process may be too restrictive in some situations, since the resulting modules (functional units) are assumed to be linear combinations of selected families of functions. In this paper, we present a non-parametric learning approach for functional networks using feedforward neural networks for approximating the functional modules of the resulting architecture; we also introduce a genetic algorithm for finding the optimal intra-module topology (the appropriate balance of neurons for the different modules according to the complexity of their respective tasks). Some benchmark examples from nonlinear time-series prediction are used to illustrate the performance of the algorithm for finding optimal modular network architectures for specific problems. [source] BREAKING DOWN BUSINESS VALUATION: THE USE OF COURT-APPOINTED BUSINESS APPRAISERS IN DIVORCE ACTIONS*FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Issue 4 2006Donna TumminioArticle first published online: 11 SEP 200 This Note advocates for greater reliance on court-appointed business appraisers in divorce proceedings. After exploring the history of court-appointed experts in American jurisprudence and addressing the specific problems that arise when valuing a business, this Note demonstrates how neutral business appraisers can assist courts in assessing a highly technical matter while simultaneously providing both courts and parties with an accurate, reliable source of information. The Note further provides suggestions for when the appointment of a neutral appraiser may be beneficial. The second section of this Note addresses technical matters that the court must deal with in selecting a reliable expert, including where the court derives its power to appoint a neutral expert, what standards the court should use in appointing the expert, and who should pay the cost of the expert's appointment. [source] Advances in Latino Family Research: Cultural Adaptations of Evidence-Based InterventionsFAMILY PROCESS, Issue 2 2009GUILLERMO BERNAL PH.D. The stark contrast between frequent calls for research and practice that are applicable across a broad spectrum of cultural and ethnically diverse groups and the dearth of empirical knowledge about Latino families provided the impetus for this special issue on advances in Latino family research. A focus on empirically based practice frames the issue, focusing specifically on how concepts (expressed emotion, parenting style) can be used within interventions, how Latino parents perceive efforts to deliver evidence-based interventions, and how pilot projects that delivered culturally adapted interventions in three separate cities impacted family functioning. In all, the introduction highlights the complexities for researchers in meeting the needs of the field to ensure that effective interventions are applicable across cultural groups. Meeting the challenges is important to address the need of the growing Latino population. Advances in intervention research with ethnic minorities also stand to contribute to the advancement of intervention research broadly. This special issue provides examples of efforts that are underway to better understand what treatments work for Latino families, provided by whom, for what specific problems, and in which specific circumstances, paving the way to begin attempting to answer a challenge posed more than 40 years ago by Gordon Paul. RESUMEN El marcado contraste entre las frecuentes convocatorias para investigaciones y prácticas aplicables a un amplio espectro de grupos de distintas culturas y razas, y la escasez de conocimiento empírico sobre las familias latinas sirvieron como impulso para publicar este número especial sobre los avances en las investigaciones relativas a las familias latinas. La publicación está enmarcada en el análisis de la práctica sustentada empíricamente, centrándose específicamente en cómo los conceptos (emoción expresada, estilo de crianza de los hijos) pueden utilizarse dentro de las intervenciones, en cómo los padres latinos perciben las iniciativas de realizar intervenciones sustentadas empíricamente y en cómo los proyectos piloto que ofrecieron intervenciones adaptadas culturalmente en tres ciudades distintas influyeron sobre el desenvolvimiento familiar. En general, la introducción destaca las complicaciones que enfrentan los investigadores a la hora de responder a las necesidades del campo para garantizar que puedan aplicarse intervenciones eficaces a distintos grupos culturales. Resolver estas complicaciones es importante para responder a la necesidad de la población latina en aumento. Los avances en las investigaciones sobre intervenciones con minorías étnicas también contribuyen al avance de las investigaciones sobre intervenciones en general. La publicación especial ofrece ejemplos de iniciativas que están en marcha para comprender mejor qué tratamientos son eficaces para las familias latinas, quiénes deben proporcionarlos, para qué problemas específicos y en qué circunstancias específicas, allanando el camino para comenzar a responder un problema que planteó Gordon Paul hace más de 40 años. Palabras clave: Latinos/hispanos, familia, adaptación cultural, intervención, salud mental de los latinos [source] Linking ecological theory with stream restorationFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007P. S. LAKE Summary 1. Faced with widespread degradation of riverine ecosystems, stream restoration has greatly increased. Such restoration is rarely planned and executed with inputs from ecological theory. In this paper, we seek to identify principles from ecological theory that have been, or could be, used to guide stream restoration. 2. In attempts to re-establish populations, knowledge of the species' life history, habitat template and spatio-temporal scope is critical. In many cases dispersal will be a critical process in maintaining viable populations at the landscape scale, and special attention should be given to the unique geometry of stream systems 3. One way by which organisms survive natural disturbances is by the use of refugia, many forms of which may have been lost with degradation. Restoring refugia may therefore be critical to survival of target populations, particularly in facilitating resilience to ongoing anthropogenic disturbance regimes. 4. Restoring connectivity, especially longitudinal connectivity, has been a major restoration goal. In restoring lateral connectivity there has been an increasing awareness of the riparian zone as a critical transition zone between streams and their catchments. 5. Increased knowledge of food web structure , bottom-up versus top-down control, trophic cascades and subsidies , are yet to be applied to stream restoration efforts. 6. In restoration, species are drawn from the regional species pool. Having overcome dispersal and environmental constraints (filters), species persistence may be governed by local internal dynamics, which are referred to as assembly rules. 7. While restoration projects often define goals and endpoints, the succession pathways and mechanisms (e.g. facilitation) by which these may be achieved are rarely considered. This occurs in spite of a large of body of general theory on which to draw. 8. Stream restoration has neglected ecosystem processes. The concept that increasing biodiversity increases ecosystem functioning is very relevant to stream restoration. Whether biodiversity affects ecosystem processes, such as decomposition, in streams is equivocal. 9. Considering the spatial scale of restoration projects is critical to success. Success is more likely with large-scale projects, but they will often be infeasible in terms of the available resources and conflicts of interest. Small-scale restoration may remedy specific problems. In general, restoration should occur at the appropriate spatial scale such that restoration is not reversed by the prevailing disturbance regime. 10. The effectiveness and predictability of stream ecosystem restoration will improve with an increased understanding of the processes by which ecosystems develop and are maintained. Ideas from general ecological theory can clearly be better incorporated into stream restoration projects. This will provide a twofold benefit in providing an opportunity both to improve restoration outcomes and to test ecological theory. [source] Regional Devolution and Regional Economic Success: Myths and Illusions about PowerGEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES B: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2006Ray Hudson Abstract The proposition that regional devolution in and of itself will lead to economic success has become deeply embedded in beliefs and policy discourses about the determinants of regional prosperity, and in turn has led to political demands for such devolution. In this paper I seek critically to examine such claims, using the case of the north-east of England as the setting for this examination. The paper begins with some introductory comments on concepts of power, regions, the reorganization of the state and of multi-level governance, and governmentality, which help in understanding the issues surrounding regional devolution. I then examine the ways in which north-east England was politically and socially constructed as a particular type of region, with specific problems, in the 1930s , a move that has had lasting significance up until the present day. Moving on some six decades, I then examine contemporary claims about the relationship between regional devolution and regional economic success, which find fertile ground in the north-east precisely due to its long history of representation as a region with a unified regional interest. I then reflect on the processes of regional planning, regional strategies and regional devolution, and their relationship to regional economic regeneration. A brief conclusion follows, emphasizing that questions remain about the efficacy of the new governmentality and about who would be its main beneficiaries in the region. The extent to which devolution would actually involve transferring power to the region and the capacity of networked forms of power within the region to counter the structural power of capital and shape central state policies remains unclear. [source] CRS-stack-based seismic imaging considering top-surface topographyGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 6 2006Z. Heilmann ABSTRACT In this case study we consider the seismic processing of a challenging land data set from the Arabian Peninsula. It suffers from rough top-surface topography, a strongly varying weathering layer, and complex near-surface geology. We aim at establishing a new seismic imaging workflow, well-suited to these specific problems of land data processing. This workflow is based on the common-reflection-surface stack for topography, a generalized high-density velocity analysis and stacking process. It is applied in a non-interactive manner and provides an entire set of physically interpretable stacking parameters that include and complement the conventional stacking velocity. The implementation introduced combines two different approaches to topography handling to minimize the computational effort: after initial values of the stacking parameters are determined for a smoothly curved floating datum using conventional elevation statics, the final stack and also the related residual static correction are applied to the original prestack data, considering the true source and receiver elevations without the assumption of nearly vertical rays. Finally, we extrapolate all results to a chosen planar reference level using the stacking parameters. This redatuming procedure removes the influence of the rough measurement surface and provides standardized input for interpretation, tomographic velocity model determination, and post-stack depth migration. The methodology of the residual static correction employed and the details of its application to this data example are discussed in a separate paper in this issue. In view of the complex near-surface conditions, the imaging workflow that is conducted, i.e. stack , residual static correction , redatuming , tomographic inversion , prestack and post-stack depth migration, leads to a significant improvement in resolution, signal-to-noise ratio and reflector continuity. [source] Restructuring as a reaction to growing pressure on trade unionism: the case of the Austrian ÖGBINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006Sabine Blaschke ABSTRACT After charting the specific problems that the Austrian Trade Union Confederation (ÖGB) faces, this article describes the ÖGB's predominant strategy in reaction to growing pressure: structural adjustments. They focus on external restructuring, especially mergers, and union administration. The article analyses the motivations for restructuring and assesses whether transformative restructuring can be observed. [source] An extension of the differential approach for Bayesian network inference to dynamic Bayesian networksINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 8 2004Boris Brandherm We extend Darwiche's differential approach to inference in Bayesian networks (BNs) to handle specific problems that arise in the context of dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs). We first summarize Darwiche's approach for BNs, which involves the representation of a BN in terms of a multivariate polynomial. We then show how procedures for the computation of corresponding polynomials for DBNs can be derived. These procedures permit not only an exact roll-up of old time slices but also a constant-space evaluation of DBNs. The method is applicable to both forward and backward propagation, and it does not presuppose that each time slice of the DBN has the same structure. It is compatible with approximative methods for roll-up and evaluation of DBNs. Finally, we discuss further ways of improving efficiency, referring as an example to a mobile system in which the computation is distributed over a normal workstation and a resource-limited mobile device. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 19: 727,748, 2004. [source] Costs and Strategies in Minority Recruitment for Osteoporosis Research,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2003Miriam A Marquez Abstract To meet expectations for the participation of minority populations in research, we committed to enroll 140 minority subjects in addition to a random sample of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents (90% white) for a study of risk factors for age-related bone loss and fractures. We successfully enrolled 597 additional minority subjects but encountered specific problems with respect to identification of potential subjects, recruitment, obtaining informed consent, transportation to the study site, and collecting study data. These problems were resolved by observing the tenets of outreach to a diverse study population, namely (1) understand the target population; (2) establish explicit recruitment goals; (3) agree on research plans between study staff and minority communities; (4) continuously evaluate the recruitment process; and (5) maintain lines of communication. Success depended especially on the recruitment of cultural advisors from the different ethnic groups. These special efforts increased the recruitment cost substantially; the total expense of $122,000 for recruiting 550 Asian, Hispanic, and Somali subjects was almost 5-fold higher than the $26,000 required to recruit 699 mostly white study subjects from the population who were contacted by mail. Although it is not impossible to recruit minority subjects, investigators (and grant reviewers) should recognize that significant resources are required to gain access to ethnic communities for research. These results should contribute to more realistic budgets for recruiting minority subjects into clinical research studies. [source] Effectiveness of bran supplement in older orthopaedic patients with constipationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 5 2007Zennure Kaçmaz MSc Aim., The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of planned nursing interventions, including bran supplement, on the bowel management of older orthopaedic patients. Background., Constipation is prevalent among older people. Constipation is also well-known to be a problem for a range of orthopaedic patients. Orthopaedic diseases or conditions may, because of the specific problems, cause this. The problem may also arise as a result of the orthopaedic treatment options undertaken by patients. Design., A quasiexperimental design was employed. Methods., The patients were recruited from an orthopaedic clinic at a university hospital in Erzurum, eastern Turkey. Descriptive statistics, independent sample test t -test, chi-square and McNemar test were used to analyse the data. Constipation problems were identified through interviews by using the Constipation Diagnosis Form. Interviews were performed within the fourth postoperative day. After that, while the patients in the control group received routine nursing care according to clinic routine, the patients in the experimental group received bran supplement together with planned nursing interventions. The patents in both groups were followed by using the Constipation Follow Form. Results., While patients in the experimental group showed significant improvements in most characteristics of bowel elimination such as time of defecation, intensity of faeces, colour of faeces and amount of faeces, the control group showed a significant improvement in only duration of defecation. Conclusions., The results of the study indicate planned nursing interventions including bran supplement are more effective than routine nursing interventions for management of constipation problems in older orthopaedic patients. Relevance to clinical practice., Nurses have an important part to play in both prevention and management of constipation. Constipation is a problem especially for older orthopaedic patients. Planned nursing interventions that include bran supplements may be more effective than routine nursing interventions for management of constipation problems in older orthopaedic patients. [source] Relationships among perceptions of parent involvement, time allocation, and demographic characteristics: Implication for policy formationJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2002Shulamit N. Ritblatt Variables that facilitate or hinder parent involvement (PI) in education and schools were explored, along with the amounts of time parents spent in various activities. A total of 506 participants from San Diego and Imperial Counties completed the first part of the study (1) designed to assess parents' beliefs about involvement with their child's school and education. Of these same participants, 357 self-selected parents also chose to complete a second part of the study (2) that assessed the amount of time parents spend in education-related activities. Factor analysis of the 506 participant responses revealed four school perception factors related to parent attitudes: (a) communication, (b) familiarity, (c) sensitivity, and (d) support. Factor analysis of the 357 participant responses to the time factors also revealed four involvement areas: (a) general school issues, (b) specific school issues, (c) extracurricular school activities, and (d) specific help. Significant relationships were found among three of the attitudinal factors (sensitivity, familiarity, and support) and various time factors, including total involvement time, general issues, specific problems, and extracurricular issues. Further, significant differences among means were found for both the school perception factors and the time factors based on ethnic background, income, and marital status. Recommendations for increasing parent involvement and formulating public policy are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Ecological Associations of Alcohol Outlets With Underage and Young Adult InjuriesALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2010Paul J. Gruenewald Objective:, This paper argues that associations between rates of 3 specific problems related to alcohol (i.e., accidents, traffic crashes, and assaults) should be differentially related to densities of alcohol outlets among underage youth and young adults based upon age-related patterns of alcohol outlet use. Methods:, Zip code-level population models assessed local and distal effects of alcohol outlets upon rates of hospital discharges for these outcomes. Results:, Densities of off-premise alcohol outlets were significantly related to injuries from accidents, assaults, and traffic crashes for both underage youth and young adults. Densities of bars were associated with more assaults and densities of restaurants were associated with more traffic crash injuries for young adults. Conclusions:, The distribution of alcohol-related injuries relative to alcohol outlets reflect patterns of alcohol outlet use. [source] The Arctic Cooking Pot: Why Was It Adopted?AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGIST, Issue 3 2009Karen Harry ABSTRACT Cross-culturally, clay cooking pots are correlated with societies situated in warm and dry climates and reliant on foods that benefit from prolonged moist cooking. Neither of these conditions, however, characterized the aboriginal coastal Arctic, where clay cooking containers were produced and used for more than 2,500 years. We explore the factors that encouraged pottery use in the Arctic and conclude that the adoption of cooking pots resulted from the interplay of social and functional factors. We propose that it was adopted (1) to meet the needs of socially constructed preferences for cooked foods and (2) to overcome specific problems associated with other cooking methods within the local social and environmental context. We demonstrate the importance of adopting an integrated perspective in the study of technology,one that considers how cultural values and social practices interact with environmental and economic factors to shape technological decisions. [source] Solutions out of context: Examining the transfer of business concepts to nonprofit organizationsNONPROFIT MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP, Issue 2 2008Tammy E. Beck Small nonprofit organizations face a dilemma when applying management theories and techniques developed for large, private businesses. Research evidence suggests both benefits and problems associated with application of these techniques. To avoid potential problems, nonprofit managers commonly limit the selection and transfer of business techniques to those that solve specific problems or appear consistent with nonprofit orientations. One consequence is that business solutions often create unintended negative outcomes that are due to contextual differences between the two types of organizations. One possible solution to this dilemma is adoption of bundles, or configurations, of practices that introduce important contextual checks and balances along with the specific tools and techniques. We explore this option through a critical, participatory ethnographic analysis of a small nonprofit service organization. [source] A dual-reciprocity boundary element solution of a generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equationNUMERICAL METHODS FOR PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS, Issue 6 2004Whye-Teong Ang Abstract A time-stepping dual-reciprocity boundary element method is presented for the numerical solution of an initial-boundary value problem governed by a generalized non-linear Schrödinger equation. To test the method, two specific problems with known exact solutions are solved. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 20, 2004. [source] Divination and experience: explorations of a Chagga epistemologyTHE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ANTHROPOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, Issue 2 2006Knut Christian Myhre This article argues that anthropological approaches to African divination are characterized by a certain epistemology, which creates specific problems with regard to vernacular truth-claims. Using ethnographic material from the Chagga-speaking people of Kilimanjaro, the article traces the multiple overlapping ramifications that interrelate vernacular concepts, physical objects, and local subjectivities. By thus avoiding reductionist arguments, the article endeavours to demonstrate that careful attention to these complex lateral relationships reveals how local diviners are able ,to see', or ,be shown', the ,truth' pertaining to their clients. [source] The problems of sustainable water use in the Mediterranean and research requirements for agricultureANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004J LARAUS Summary This study addresses the sustainable use of water resources in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in the Southern and Eastern parts of the region, and the many problems generated by water scarcity and misuse. Water economy in the region is beset by two specific problems: high irrigation needs and changes in consumer demands (especially after population shifts from rural to urban areas and because of increasing tourism and industrialisation). The challenges presented by the water crisis are even greater because of growing populations and estimated future climatic changes in the region. The integrated management of limited water resources in the Southern and Eastern parts of the Mediterranean involves several areas of research. Those most directly related with agriculture concern improving water (and nutrient) use in agriculture through the management and breeding of irrigated and rain-fed crops. However, these fields of research address only one face of a multi-factorial equation that affects water sustainability in the region. Thus, other research fields include the design of comprehensive water policies and integrated planning, and technologies for advanced water treatment and re-use. Moreover, local problems and socio-economic aspects must be considered when addressing research issues. [source] Hepatopancreatic and muscular distribution of oxytetracycline antibiotics in farmed pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei): a physiological-based pharmacokinetic model approachAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 1 2009Damrongsak Faroongsarng Abstract Oxytetracycline (OTC) pharmacokinetic models previously used to investigate Penaeus vannamei have not addressed the specific problems related to drug distribution/disposition in particular tissues. This study aimed to provide an insight into OTC kinetics in the hepatopancreas and muscle based on a physiological model approach. Adult male P. vannamei at the C-D0 inter-moulting stage were randomly assigned to intra-sinus and oral administrations. In the intra-sinus group, shrimps were dosed via the ventral sinus at an OTC level of 10.0 ,g g,1 body weight, while in the oral one, they were force fed at a dose level of 50.2 ,g g,1. The medicated animals were sampled at various time intervals until 170 h after dosing. Haemolymph, muscle and hepatopancreas samples were taken and OTC levels were determined using the validated HPLC method. A model focused on the hepatopancreas and muscle was developed. Oxytetracycline pharmacokinetic profiles in particular tissues were fitted into the model with an R2 of between 0.6568 and 0.9904. Oxytetracycline muscular distributions were essentially identical for both groups and the drug did not accumulate in muscle. The distributions in the hepatopancreas for both groups were extensive, whereas that for oral administration was approximately 2.3 times greater than that for the intra-sinus one. It was demonstrated that hepatopancreatic OTC may undergo significant first-pass elimination with non-linear kinetics. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||