Successful Development (successful + development)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Future Prospects for Biomarkers of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Induced Disorders

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2010
Willard M. Freeman
The lack of reliable measures of alcohol intake is a major obstacle to the diagnosis, treatment, and research of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Successful development of a biomarker that allows for accurate assessment of alcohol intake and drinking patterns would not only be a major advance in clinical care but also a valuable research tool. A number of advances have been made in testing the validity of proposed biomarkers as well as in identifying potential new biomarkers through systems biology approaches. This commentary will examine the definition of a biomarker of heavy drinking, the types of potential biomarkers, the steps in biomarker development, the current state of biomarker development, and critical obstacles for the field. The challenges in developing biomarkers for alcohol treatment and research are similar to those found in other fields. However, the alcohol research field must reach a competitive level of rigor and organization. We recommend that NIAAA consider taking a leadership role in organizing investigators in the field and providing a common set of clinical specimens for biomarker validation studies. [source]


Ultraviolet Sensors: An Efficient Way to Assemble ZnS Nanobelts as Ultraviolet-Light Sensors with Enhanced Photocurrent and Stability (Adv. Funct.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 3 2010
Mater.
On page 500, Xiaosheng Fang and co-workers demonstrate the successful development of high-performance "visible-blind" microscale ZnS nanobelt-based ultraviolet (UV) light sensors through a newly developed non-lithographic method. Such sensors may prove extremely useful for the detection of harmful near-visible-wavelength UV radiation, of particular interest in locations where the shielding effect of the Earth's atmosphere is deteriorating. [source]


Developing a general practice library: a collaborative project between a GP and librarian

HEALTH INFORMATION & LIBRARIES JOURNAL, Issue 4 2001
David Pearson
The authors report on a self-completed questionnaire study from a North Yorkshire based general practice regarding the information needs of its clinicians. The work was carried out with a particular focus on the practice library, and the findings identified that a new approach to maintaining and developing the library was needed. The literature regarding the information needs of primary care clinicians and the role of practice libraries is considered, and compared to those of the clinicians at the practice. Discussion follows on how a collaborative project was set up between the practice and a librarian based at the local NHS Trust library in order to improve the existing practice library. Difficulties encountered and issues unique to the project are explored, including training implications presented by the implementation of electronic resources. Marketing activities implemented are discussed, how the library will operate in its new capacity, and how ongoing support and maintenance of the library will be carried out. It is concluded that although scepticism still exists regarding librarian involvement in practice libraries, collaboration between clinicians and librarians is an effective approach to the successful development and maintenance of a practice library, and recommendations are therefore made for similar collaborative work. [source]


An institutional perspective on developing and implementing intranet- and internet-based information systems

INFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 3 2003
Tom Butler
Abstract. ,This paper adopts a constructivist, case-based research strategy to examine the development and implementation of intranet- and internet-based information systems (IS) in a single organization. Institutional theory is used to describe, explain and understand the commitments of social actors in the development of web-based IS. The findings illustrate that: (1) social and organizational problems similar to those that beset ,traditional' IS development arise in the development and implementation of web-based IS; (2) ,top-down' development and implementation strategies give rise to more conflict and change management problems than ,bottom-up' approaches; and (3) fostering high levels of commitment to organizational imperatives is key to the successful development and implementation of web-based IS. [source]


Educating reflective systems developers

INFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2002
Lars Mathiassen
Abstract. Systems development research shows that practitioners seldom follow methods and that the competencies required for successful development of computer-based systems go well beyond those represented in contemporary methods. These insights make us question the role that methods should play in educating would-be developers. Pedagogical theories, such as situated learning and double-loop learning, complement these insights. Integrating the two, we argue that students need to complement the simplified accounts that methods express, with reflections on methods-in-use and on development practice in general. We present operationalizations of this idea in two quite different academic settings. Based on a retrospective analysis of our experiences in these settings, and a comparison and evaluation of the two approaches, we propose a number of lessons that can be used to improve the education of would-be developers. [source]


The Aqualon SLT: A novel device for measuring hair stiffness and lubricity

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010
K. A. Vaynberg
J. Cosmet. Sci., 60, 135,141 (March/April 2009) Synopsis The ability to quantify hair property changes in response to treatment is essential to the successful development of new formulations and benefiting agents. In the attempt to expand the toolbox of hair tress testing tools, we developed a device that allows hair scientists to measure hair tress changes in stiffness and lubricity. The tool is based on a system of pins mounted on free rotating bearings and is operated in two modes: rotating and stationary. The hair attributes are measured by threading a hair tress through the pin assembly and measuring the total work of pulling through in rotational and stationary modes (the latter mode is obtained by immobilizing pins by a retaining plate). The data thus obtained is de-convoluted into the work of apparent stiffness (rotational mode) and the work of the friction-on-pins or lubricity (stationary mode minus the apparent stiffness). The data can be further reduced to produce an apparent friction coefficient defined as a ratio of the apparent lubricity to the apparent stiffness. This work demonstrates the utility of the parameters measured by the Aqualon SLT and illustrates how the device can be used to predict and understand the impacts of various hair treatments. [source]


Pharmacokinetic aspects of biotechnology products

JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2004
Lisa Tang
Abstract In recent years, biotechnologically derived peptide and protein-based drugs have developed into mainstream therapeutic agents. Peptide and protein drugs now constitute a substantial portion of the compounds under preclinical and clinical development in the global pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacokinetic and exposure/response evaluations for peptide and protein therapeutics are frequently complicated by their similarity to endogenous peptides and proteins as well as protein nutrients. The first challenge frequently comes from a lack of sophistication in various analytical techniques for the quantification of peptide and protein drugs in biological matrices. However, advancements in bioassays and immunoassays,along with a newer generation of mass spectrometry-based techniques,can often provide capabilities for both efficient and reliable detection. Selection of the most appropriate route of administration for biotech drugs requires comprehensive knowledge of their absorption characteristics beyond physicochemical properties, including chemical and metabolic stability at the absorption site, immunoreactivity, passage through biomembranes, and active uptake and exsorption processes. Various distribution properties dictate whether peptide and protein therapeutics can reach optimum target site exposure to exert the intended pharmacological response. This poses a potential problem, especially for large protein drugs, with their typically limited distribution space. Binding phenomena and receptor-mediated cellular uptake may further complicate this issue. Elimination processes,a critical determinant for the drug's systemic exposure,may follow a combination of numerous pathways, including renal and hepatic metabolism routes as well as generalized proteolysis and receptor-mediated endocytosis. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) correlations for peptide and protein-based drugs are frequently convoluted by their close interaction with endogenous substances and physiologic regulatory feedback mechanisms. Extensive use of pharmacokinetic and exposure/response concepts in all phases of drug development has in the past been identified as a crucial factor for the success of a scientifically driven, evidence-based, and thus accelerated drug development process. Thus, PK/PD concepts are likely to continue and expand their role as a fundamental factor in the successful development of biotechnologically derived drug products in the future. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:2184,2204, 2004 [source]


Addressing Three Common Issues in Research on Youth Activities: An Integrative Approach for Operationalizing and Analyzing Involvement

JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 3 2010
Michael A. Busseri
Youth activity involvement has been operationalized and analyzed using a wide range of approaches. Researchers face the challenges of distinguishing between the effects of involvement versus noninvolvement and intensity of involvement in a particular activity, accounting simultaneously for cumulative effects of involvement, and addressing multiple unique effects of individual activities. In the present work, we review and illustrate the conceptual and empirical implications of these issues using data from a study of activity involvement and successful development in early adolescence (N=537; M age=11.56, 52% female). An integrative solution is introduced based on a latent composite variable (LCV) model (Bollen & Lennox, 1991), which can be used to address all three issues simultaneously. Using this approach, we show that of the aggregate indices examined, breadth of involvement was uniquely and positively associated with multiple indices of successful development. Of the individual activities, a dichotomous score and residual frequency rating for involvement in out-of-school clubs were both uniquely associated with less positive development indicators. We concluded that an LCV approach provides a novel method for addressing several fundamental operational and analytic issues facing researchers who investigate youth activity involvement as a context for positive development. [source]


Mechanisms for knowledge management systems effectiveness: an exploratory analysis

KNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 3 2005
Hind Benbya
Knowledge management systems (KMS) have been implemented in many organizations, yet little research exists to guide their successful development and implementation in practice. In fact, while some firms achieve successful outcomes with regard to their IT endeavours, others continue to fall victim to the technology productivity paradox. Further, little is known about the diversity of both systems and organizations that have successfully implemented them. This article, through an analysis of successful case studies of knowledge management systems, explores the underlying mechanisms under which knowledge management systems effectiveness is most likely to occur. The findings imply that three categories of mechanisms constitute important preconditions for knowledge management systems effectiveness; they range from cultural to structural and managerial mechanisms. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Vorgehensmodell zur Abbildung und Analyse des Lebenszykluserfolges von Werkstoffen , Konzeption und beispielhafte Veranschaulichung.

MATERIALWISSENSCHAFT UND WERKSTOFFTECHNIK, Issue 6 2010
Modeling approach for the life cycle profit of materials, case study, conceptual design
Life Cycle Costs; Life Cycle Profit; Modeling Approach; Cost Management Abstract Eine langfristig erfolgreiche Entwicklung, Herstellung und Verwendung von (neuen) Werkstoffen setzt voraus, dass die daran beteiligten, auf wirtschaftlichen Erfolg angewiesenen Unternehmen mit diesen Werkstoffen einen positiven monetären Lebenszykluserfolg erzielen. Die Ermittlung eines solchen Lebenszykluserfolgs ist allerdings eine komplexe Aufgabenstellung, wird dieser doch durch eine Vielzahl verschiedenartiger unternehmensexterner und -interner Größen beeinflusst. Gerade bei derartigen komplexen Problemstellungen bietet es sich an, Vorgehensmodelle für eine systematische und strukturierte Problemanalyse und -zerlegung sowie die darauf basierende Bildung und Auswertung von monetären Lebenszyklusmodellen zu nutzen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag soll daher ein Vorgehensmodell zur Ermittlung und Analyse des Lebenszykluserfolgs von Werkstoffen zunächst konzipiert und anschließend anhand eines Fallbeispiels veranschaulicht werden. Long-term successful development, production and use of (new) materials presuppose that involved companies achieve a positive monetary life cycle benefit with these materials. However, the appraisal of this life cycle profit is a demanding task, since the profit is influenced by a huge number of different internal and external variables. Especially in case of such complex problems procedure models can support the systematic and structured analysis and decomposition of the problems as well as the creation and evaluation of monetary life cycle models basing on that. Therefore, this paper offers a suitable modeling approach for the life cycle profit of materials, which is illustrated by a case study. [source]


Children investing in their families: The importance of child obligation in successful development

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CHILD & ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, Issue 94 2001
Thomas S. Weisner
Family obligation and assistance are fundamental features of children's development that link general developmental processes with the context of a particular historical moment and a specific cultural community. [source]


Recent developments in the molecular discrimination of formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum

PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 8 2008
Bart Lievens
Abstract Rapid and reliable detection and identification of potential plant pathogens is required for taking appropriate and timely disease management measures. For many microbial species of which all strains generally are plant pathogens on a known host range, this has become quite straightforward. However, for some fungal species this is quite a challenge. One of these is Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr., which, as a species, has a very broad host range, while individual strains are usually highly host-specific. Moreover, many strains of this fungus are non-pathogenic soil inhabitants. Thus, with regard to effective disease management, identification below the species level is highly desirable. So far, the genetic basis of host specificity in F. oxysporum is poorly understood. Furthermore, strains that infect a particular plant species are not necessarily more closely related to each other than to strains that infect other hosts. Despite these difficulties, recently an increasing number of studies have reported the successful development of molecular markers to discriminate F. oxysporum strains below the species level. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


Single-walled carbon nanotubes as nanotest tubes

PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 11 2007
E. Borowiak-Palen
Abstract In this study a wet-chemistry procedure to perform a metathesis reaction in the interior of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is shown. Initially, AgNO3 was placed into the tube interior. The AgNO3 filling was then transformed into AgCl through a metathesis reaction involving a treatment step with HCl. The reaction highlights the potential application of SWCNT as nanotest tubes. This was further demonstrated by the successful development of a facile and efficient wet-chemistry route to purge the AgCl filling from the interior of the SWCNT. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


High-resolution biomarker discovery: Moving from large-scale proteome profiling to quantitative validation of lead candidates

PROTEOMICS - CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 10-11 2008
Johannes A. Hewel
Abstract Diverse proteomic techniques based on protein MS have been introduced to systematically characterize protein perturbations associated with disease. Progress in clinical proteomics is essential for personalized medicine, wherein treatments will be tailored to individual needs based on patient stratification using noninvasive disease monitoring procedures to reveal the most appropriate therapeutic targets. However, breakthroughs await the successful development and application of a robust proteomic pipeline capable of identifying and rigorously assessing the relevance of multiple candidate proteins as informative diagnostic and prognostic indicators or suitable drug targets involved in a pathological process. While steady progress has been made toward more comprehensive proteome profiling, the emphasis must now shift from in depth screening of reference samples to stringent quantitative validation of selected lead candidates in a broader clinical context. Here, we present an overview of the emerging proteomic strategies for high-throughput protein detection focused primarily on targeted MS/MS as the basis for biomarker verification in large clinical cohorts. We discuss the conceptual promise and practical pitfalls of these methods in terms of achieving higher dynamic range, higher throughput, and more reliable quantification, highlighting research avenues that merit additional inquiry. [source]


Assessment of hidden and future customer needs in Finnish business-to-business companies

R & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2001
Hannu Kärkkäinen
The development of new products should be based on the needs expected to exist even several years ahead , at the moment of market introduction and during the whole lifecycle of the product. To develop successful new products in the toughening business environment, companies should be able to surpass customers' expectations and to assess emerging customer needs proactively. Early, thorough understanding of the customer's real needs, including the assessment of hidden and future customer needs and requirements, plays a very important role in the successful development of new products. The purpose of our paper is to study the assessment of new (hidden and future) customer needs for product development in Finnish business-to-business companies. We have carried out a survey in 93 Finnish business-to-business companies and SBUs to study their common problems in the assessment of unrecognized customer needs and potentially effective ways in clarifying new customer needs and dealing with important problems. On the basis of the results, we propose several possible ways to facilitate the assessment of unrecognized customer needs. [source]


Contrary food requirements of the larvae of two Curtonotus (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Amara) species

ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005
P. Saska
Abstract The larvae of carabids that are granivorous as adults can be granivorous, omnivorous or carnivorous. The differences in larval food preferences of Amara aulica and Amara convexiuscula, two closely related species of the subgenus Curtonotus, were studied. Survival and duration of development of non-diapausing first and second instar larvae were compared. The third instar larvae were not studied because they go into diapause prior to pupation. The larvae were fed diets consisting of insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor), seeds of Artemisia vulgaris, Tripleurospermum inodorum, Urtica dioica or Cirsium arvense and a mixed diet consisting of insect larvae and seed. Larvae of A. aulica required seeds for successful development, whereas those of A. convexiuscula developed on both an insect diet and seeds of Artemisia. The difference in larval food requirements facilitates the coexistence of these closely related species, which frequently share the same habitat. [source]


Genetic characterization and gonad development of artificially produced interspecific hybrids of the abalones, Haliotis discus discus Reeve, Haliotis gigantea Gmelin and Haliotis madaka Habe

AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 5 2008
Faruq Ahmed
Abstract Hybridization among abalone species has been suggested as a possible means to increase their growth rates for aquaculture. As a first step to test the usefulness of the hybrids of Japanese abalone species (Haliotis discus discus, Haliotis gigantea and Haliotis madaka) for aquaculture, we characterized the genetic background and gonad development of hybrids that were produced by artificial insemination. The hybrid status of the resulting offspring was confirmed by assaying 14 allozymes and by RFLP analysis of the 16s rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) regions of mtDNA using 13 restriction enzymes. Histological examination of the gonads of the hybrids was conducted in comparison with those of the parental species. Cross-breeding among the three species was conducted successfully in all combinations although with lower fertilization rates (means of 1.3,60.8%) than the parental species (34.3,90%). Crosses between H. discus discus and H. madaka had higher fertilization rates (22.4,60.8%) than those involving H. gigantea (1.3,19.9%). The hybrids were ascertained by the presence of both parental genotypes at the LDH-A, ME-A, MDH-A and GPI loci. The maternal origin of the hybrid mtDNA was confirmed by digestion with DdeI, TaqI, HpaII of the COI region. No polymorphism was observed in the 16S rRNA region. The hybrids had gonadal development and maturity stages similar to the parental species up to fully mature oocytes and sperm. They spawned upon stimulation and produced viable offspring with high fertilization rates and successful development to the juvenile stage in back- and homologous hybrid crosses. [source]


Government perspective, statutory protection and the direction of future research and co-operation in the context of the marine environment

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue 1 2002
T.W. Eggeling
Abstract 1.The Falkland Islands Government is proud of the successful development of its commercial fishery and sees no reason why it should not continue to be managed in a responsible and sustainable way. However, it recognizes that the fishery is vulnerable to over-fishing, changes in the migration patterns of the principal commercial species and the health of world markets. 2.To widen its economic base, the Falkland Islands Government is seeking to promote farm diversification and eco-tourism, to further develop its commercial fishery, and to encourage offshore oil exploration and development in areas under its jurisdiction. 3.It recognizes the value and importance of its wildlife populations and habitats but sees no reason why economic development and environmental protection should be mutually exclusive, provided that suitable measures are adopted to control development and protect the environment, a precautionary approach is applied, all potential risks to the environment are carefully assessed and remedial measures taken to avoid or minimize any adverse impacts. Extensive new legislation has already been enacted, baseline survey work undertaken and further environmental research commissioned. 4.The Government accepts that additional wildlife habitats and populations need to be afforded environmental protection through designation as National Nature Reserves (NNR) and Marine Nature Reserves (MNR) and thereafter managed effectively. It recognizes that much more environmental research needs to be carried out and, to that end, is willing to seek expert guidance on the future direction of that research, to co-operate with other governments or organisations in the carrying out of that research and to contribute financially to further environmental research in and around the Falkland Islands. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Miniature Vibrating Flow Blood Pump Using a Cross-Slider Mechanism for External Shunt Catheter

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2003
S. Kawano
Abstract: The prototype of the miniature vibrating flow pump (VFP) is developed for the external shunt catheter. The cross-slider mechanism is applied to vibrate the tube, which causes the pumping effect. This mechanism results in successful development of the miniature and lightweight VFP. By the use of the prototype VFP, the experiment of the basic pump performance is made in detail based on the authorized procedure in the research field of fluids engineering. The typical H - Q curve of VFP, which is the relationship between the pump head and the flow rate, can be obtained. This result suggests that the miniature VFP developed here can be expected to be used as the booster pump for the external shunt catheter in clinical applications. [source]


Development of Rotary Blood Pump Technology: Past, Present, and Future

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 6 2000
Yukihiko Nosé
Abstract: Even though clinical acceptance of a nonpulsatile blood flow was demonstrated almost 45 years ago, the development of a nonpulsatile blood pump was completely ignored until 20 years ago. In 1979, the first author's group demonstrated that completely pulseless animals did not exhibit any abnormal physiology if 20% higher blood flows were provided to them. However, during the next 10 years (1979,1988), minimum efforts were provided for the development of a nonpulsatile, permanently implantable cardiac prosthesis. In 1989, the first author and his team at Baylor College of Medicine initiated a developmental strategy of various types of nonpulsatile rotary blood pumps, including a 2-day rotary blood pump for cardiopulmonary bypass application, a 2 week pump for ECMO and short-term circulatory assistance, a 2 year pump as a bridge to transplantation, and a permanently implantable cardiac prosthesis. Following the design and developmental strategy established in 1989, successful development of a 2-day pump (the Nikkiso-Fairway cardiopulmonary bypass pump) in 4 years (1989,1993), a 2 week pump (Kyocera gyro G1E3 pump) in 6 years (1992,1998), and a bridge to transplant pump (DeBakey LVAD,an axial flow blood pump) in 10 years (1988,1998) was made. Currently, a permanently implantable centrifugal blood pump development program is successfully completing its initial Phase 1 program of 5 years (1995,2000). Implantation exceeded 9 months without any negative findings. An additional 5 year Phase II program (2000,2005) is expected to complete such a device that will be clinically available. [source]