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Unique Opportunity (unique + opportunity)
Selected AbstractsThe spatial spread of invasions: new developments in theory and evidenceECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 1 2005Alan Hastings Abstract We review and synthesize recent developments in the study of the spread of invasive species, emphasizing both empirical and theoretical approaches. Recent theoretical work has shown that invasive species spread is a much more complex process than the classical models suggested, as long range dispersal events can have a large influence on the rate of range expansion through time. Empirical work goes even further, emphasizing the role of spatial heterogeneity, temporal variability, other species, and evolution. As in some of the classic work on spread, the study of range expansion of invasive species provides unique opportunities to use differences between theory and data to determine the important underlying processes that control spread rates. [source] Bacterial community structure of glacier forefields on siliceous and calcareous bedrockEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009A. Lazzaro Summary Forefields of retreating glaciers represent unique opportunities to investigate the initial phases of soil formation and microbial interactions with mineral surfaces. An open question concerns the physical and chemical driving-factors affecting the establishment of microbial communities in these young ecosystems. In this study we compared the bacterial community structure of six glacier forefield soils belonging to two contrasting bedrock categories (calcareous and siliceous) through T-RFLP profiling of the 16S rRNA gene. The community profiles were correlated with an array of physical (soil texture, water holding capacity, hours of sunshine, temperature, rainfall and exposure) and chemical (TC, TN, DOC, extractable nutrients and pH) factors using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). A first comparison of the T-RFLP profiles suggested that the degree of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) diversity of these soils was similar, and that community structure was dominated by ubiquitous taxa. CCA showed that both physical (e.g. hours of sunshine or rainfall) and chemical factors (e.g. SO2,4 or PO3,4) played an equal role in shaping the soil bacterial communities. OTUs unique to specific sites appeared to be strongly influenced by the climatic regime and by texture. Overall, the community structure of the six glacial forefields showed no clear dependence on the bedrock categories. [source] Lessons learned from DNA repair defective syndromesEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Kai-Martin Thoms Abstract:, Genomic instability is the driving force behind cancer development. Human syndromes with DNA repair deficiencies comprise unique opportunities to study the clinical consequences of faulty genome maintenance leading to premature aging and premature cancer development. These syndromes include chromosomal breakage syndromes with defects in DNA damage signal transduction and double-strand break repair, mismatch repair defective syndromes as well as nucleotide excision repair defective syndromes. The same genes that are severely affected in these model diseases may harbour more subtle variations in the ,healthy' normal population leading to genomic instability, cancer development, and accelerated aging at later stages of life. Thus, studying those syndromes and the molecular mechanisms behind can significantly contribute to our understanding of (skin) cancerogenesis as well as to the development of novel individualized preventive and therapeutic anticancer strategies. The establishment of centers of excellence for studying rare genetic model diseases may be helpful in this direction. [source] Carbon Nanotubes: High Electromechanical Response of Ionic Polymer Actuators with Controlled-Morphology Aligned Carbon Nanotube/Nafion Nanocomposite Electrodes (Adv. Funct.ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Mater. Abstract Recent advances in fabricating controlled-morphology vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) with ultrahigh volume fraction create unique opportunities for markedly improving the electromechanical performance of ionic polymer conductor network composite (IPCNC) actuators. Continuous paths through inter-VA-CNT channels allow fast ion transport, and high electrical conduction of the aligned CNTs in the composite electrodes lead to fast device actuation speed (>10% strain/second). One critical issue in developing advanced actuator materials is how to suppress the strain that does not contribute to the actuation (unwanted strain) thereby reducing actuation efficiency. Here, experiments demonstrate that the VA-CNTs give an anisotropic elastic response in the composite electrodes, which suppresses the unwanted strain and markedly enhances the actuation strain (>8% strain under 4 V). The results reported here suggest pathways for optimizing the electrode morphology in IPCNCs using ultrahigh volume fraction VA-CNTs to further enhanced performance. [source] High Electromechanical Response of Ionic Polymer Actuators with Controlled-Morphology Aligned Carbon Nanotube/Nafion Nanocomposite ElectrodesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 19 2010Sheng Liu Abstract Recent advances in fabricating controlled-morphology vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNTs) with ultrahigh volume fraction create unique opportunities for markedly improving the electromechanical performance of ionic polymer conductor network composite (IPCNC) actuators. Continuous paths through inter-VA-CNT channels allow fast ion transport, and high electrical conduction of the aligned CNTs in the composite electrodes lead to fast device actuation speed (>10% strain/second). One critical issue in developing advanced actuator materials is how to suppress the strain that does not contribute to the actuation (unwanted strain) thereby reducing actuation efficiency. Here, experiments demonstrate that the VA-CNTs give an anisotropic elastic response in the composite electrodes, which suppresses the unwanted strain and markedly enhances the actuation strain (>8% strain under 4 V). The results reported here suggest pathways for optimizing the electrode morphology in IPCNCs using ultrahigh volume fraction VA-CNTs to further enhanced performance. [source] From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: a synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forestsGCB BIOENERGY, Issue 3 2009A. M. EVANS Abstract The volatile costs of fossil fuels, concerns about the associated greenhouse gas emissions from these fuels, and the threat of catastrophic wildfires in western North America have resulted in increased interest and activity in the removal and use of woody biomass from forests. However, significant economic and logistical challenges lie between the forests and the consumers of woody biomass. In this study, we provide a current snapshot of how biomass is being removed from forests and used across the United States to demonstrate the wide variety of successful strategies, funding sources, harvesting operations, utilization outlets, and silvicultural prescriptions. Through an analysis of 45 case studies, we identified three themes that consistently frame each biomass removal and utilization operation: management objectives, ecology, and economics. The variety and combination of project objectives exemplified by the case studies means biomass removals are complex and difficult to categorize for analysis. However, the combination of objectives allows projects to take advantage of unique opportunities such as multiple funding sources and multiparty collaboration. The case studies also provide insight into the importance of ecological considerations in biomass removal both because of the opportunity for forest restoration and the risk of site degradation. The national view of the economic aspects of biomass removal provided by this wide variety of case studies includes price and cost ranges. This study is an important first step that helps define woody biomass removals which are becoming an essential part of forestry in the 21st century. [source] Embryo of an annual fish (Austrolebias charrua) in the last dormancy stage, diapause IIIGENESIS: THE JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009Article first published online: 22 JAN 200 Embryo of an annual fish (Austrolebias charrua) in the last dormancy stage, diapause III. The embryo, surrounded by a transparent vitelline envelope, is in the pre-hatching stage. A prominent eye and part of the pigmented body and tail are apparent. Why annual fishes? Annual fishes (Order Cyprinodontiformes) are a special kind of teleost, found in Africa and South America, with developmental strategies closely related to their life cycle. These fishes inhabit temporary pools that undergo drying during summer, when all adults die. The embryos remain buried in the bottom mud and are resistant to desiccation. In the subsequent rainy season they hatch a few hours after the pool is flooded and a new reproductive cycle begins. This developmental pattern is characterized by the presence of a unique stage between cleavage and embryogenesis, dispersion-aggregation of blastomeres and because the embryos show reversible developmental arrests (diapauses) at different stages. Annual fish embryos are transparent, large, hardy and easy to maintain in the laboratory. Adults show continuous production of eggs and juveniles reach sexual maturity a few weeks after hatching (an unusual condition in fishes). Their particular developmental features confer unique opportunities for research on cell behavior during early development, the effect of environmental factors on development, the regulation of diapauses and the mechanisms involved in sex determination, among others topics. Image provided by Nibia Berois, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. [source] Clinical islet transplant: current and future directions towards toleranceIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2003A. M. James Shapiro Summary:, The ultimate goal of islet transplantation is to completely correct the diabetic state from an unlimited donor source, without the need for chronic immunosuppressive drug therapy. Although islet transplantation provides an opportunity to develop innovative strategies for tolerance in the clinic, both alloimmune and autoimmune barriers must be controlled, if stable graft function is to be maintained long-term. After islet extraction from the pancreas, the cellular graft may be stored in tissue culture or cryopreserved for banking, providing an opportunity not only to optimally condition the recipient but also to allow in vitro immunologic manipulation of the graft before transplantation, unlike solid organ grafts. As such, islets may be considered a ,special case.' Remarkable progress has occurred in the last three years, with dramatic improvements in outcomes after clinical islet transplantation. The introduction of a steroid-free, sirolimus-based, anti-rejection protocol and islets prepared from two (or rarely three) donors led to high rates of insulin independence. The ,Edmonton Protocol' has been successfully replicated by other centers in an international multicenter trial. A number of key refinements in pancreas transportation, processing, purification on non-ficoll-based media, storage of islets in culture for two days and newer immunological conditioning and induction therapies have led to continued advancement through extensive collaboration between key centers. This review outlines the historical development of islet transplantation over the past 30 years, provides an update on current clinical outcomes, and summarizes a series of unique opportunities for development and early testing of tolerance protocols in patients. [source] Forecast-Based Monetary Policy: The Case of SwedenINTERNATIONAL FINANCE, Issue 3 2003Per Jansson Central banks are dominant players in financial markets and economic policy. For both democratic and efficiency reasons, it is important that central banks' actions can be understood, predicted, and evaluated. Inflation-targeting central banks that publish their forecasts provide unique opportunities for detailed studies of monetary policy based on real-time data. This paper demonstrates how a central bank's forecasts can be used to identify two different forms of discretionary monetary policy: ,policy shocks' (deviations from systematic policy) and ,judgements' in forecasting. [source] Relationships among levels of government support, marketing activities, and financial health of nonprofit performing arts organizationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 2 2007Theresa A. Kirchner This exploratory study researches and analyzes the empirical effects of financial levels of government support and marketing practices on the financial health of nonprofit performing arts organizations. Declining government subsidies and increasing competition from non-traditional sources have presented these organizations with unique opportunities and challenges that call for a market-centered, as well as an art-centered approach. Financial health is critical for the long-term success of a nonprofit performing arts organization. Few empirical studies have examined the interrelationships between these key variables. This study analyzes a sample of 63 American professional symphony orchestras employing 20 years of data. The correlations among financial levels of government support and marketing activities were positive and significant, the correlations among levels of government support and financial health were negative and significant, and the correlations between levels of marketing activity and financial health were negative and varied in significance. Causal analyses were less conclusive, but significant causal relationships were found for large symphony orchestras, indicating that segmentation research may be warranted. Implications and opportunities for future research are presented which have potential application for government agencies, academic researchers, and arts organization managers, boards of directors, and donors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Opportunities for an improved role for nurses in psychoactive substance use: Review of the literatureINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 3 2004Annette M Nkowane RN RM BSc MA Nurses form a core component of many health care systems so their role in responding to problems related to psychoactive substance use is crucial. They are often under-utilized, mainly because of anxieties concerning role adequacy, legitimacy, lack of support and failure to implement interventions in a variety of settings. Nurses have unique opportunities through interactions they have with young people, families and significant others. Training and career preparation should encompass development of innovative strategies, taking a leading role in management of substance use patients, involvement in the treatment of the homeless mentally ill, HIV-infected individuals and persons with dual disorders of mental health and substance use. Future directions should focus on developing skills for critical thinking, preventive and therapeutic interventions, clinical judgement, effective organizational capacity and team work. Barriers such as scope of practice, authority, ethical and legal issues surrounding health care for substance use need to be addressed. [source] Keeping Our Ambition Under Control: The Limits of Data and Inference in Searching for the Causes and Consequences of Vanishing Trials in Federal CourtJOURNAL OF EMPIRICAL LEGAL STUDIES, Issue 3 2004Stephen B. Burbank This article offers some reflections stimulated by Professor Galanter's materials, which were the common springboard for the Vanishing Trials Symposium. It suggests that other data, quantitative and qualitative, may be helpful in understanding the vanishing trials phenomenon in federal civil cases, notably data available for years prior to 1962, and questions whether it is meaningful to use total dispositions as the denominator in calculating a trial termination rate. The article argues that care should be taken in using data from state court systems, as also data from criminal cases, administrative adjudication, and ADR, lest one put at risk through careless assimilation of data or muddled thinking a project quite difficult enough without additional baggage. The article describes the limitations of data previously collected by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and highlights unique opportunities created by the AO's switch to a new Case Management/Electronic Case Files system. It argues that Professor Galanter may underestimate the influence of both changing demand for court services (docket makeup) and of changing demand for judicial services (resources) on the trial rate. Finally, the article argues that conclusions about either the causes or consequences of the vanishing trials phenomenon in federal civil cases are premature, suggesting in particular reasons to be wary of emphasis on "institutional factors" such as the discretionary power of first-instance judges and the ideology of managerial judging. [source] Telemedicine: barriers and opportunities in the 21st centuryJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue S741 2001B. Stanberry Abstract. Stanberry B (Centre for Law Ethics and Risk in Telemedicine, Cardiff, Wales, UK). Telemedicine: barriers and opportunities in the 21st century (Internal Medicine in the 21st Century). J Intern Med 2000; 247: 615,628. This paper aims to examine how health telematics will develop in the first 10 years of the new millennium and, in particular, to assess what operational, ethical and legal barriers may lie in the way of this development. A description of the key principles and concepts involved in telemedicine and a short historical overview of telemedicine's evolution over the past century are followed by consideration of why empirical research into ,info-ethics' and other deontological and legal issues relating to telemedicine is being necessarily catalysed by, amongst others, the European Commission. Four evolving health telematics applications are examined in some detail: electronic health records; the transmission of visual media in disciplines such as teleradiology, teledermatology, telepathology and teleophthalmology; telesurgery and robotics and the use of call centres and decision-support software. These are discussed in the light of their moral, ethical and cultural implications for clinicians, patients and society at large. The author argues that telemedicine presents unique opportunities for both patients and clinicians where it is implemented in direct response to clear clinical needs, but warns against excessive reliance upon technology to the detriment of traditional clinician,patient relationships and against complacency regarding the risks and responsibilities , many of which are as yet unknown , that distant medical intervention, consultation and diagnosis carry. [source] Telemedicine: barriers and opportunities in the 21st centuryJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2000B. Stanberry Abstract. Stanberry B (Centre for Law Ethics and Risk in Telemedicine, Cardiff, Wales, UK). Telemedicine: barriers and opportunities in the 21st century (Internal Medicine in the 21st Century). J Intern Med 2000; 247: 615,628. This paper aims to examine how health telematics will develop in the first 10 years of the new millennium and, in particular, to assess what operational, ethical and legal barriers may lie in the way of this development. A description of the key principles and concepts involved in telemedicine and a short historical overview of telemedicine's evolution over the past century are followed by consideration of why empirical research into ,info-ethics' and other deontological and legal issues relating to telemedicine is being necessarily catalysed by, amongst others, the European Commission. Four evolving health telematics applications are examined in some detail: electronic health records; the transmission of visual media in disciplines such as teleradiology, teledermatology, telepathology and teleophthalmology; telesurgery and robotics and the use of call centres and decision-support software. These are discussed in the light of their moral, ethical and cultural implications for clinicians, patients and society at large. The author argues that telemedicine presents unique opportunities for both patients and clinicians where it is implemented in direct response to clear clinical needs, but warns against excessive reliance upon technology to the detriment of traditional clinician,patient relationships and against complacency regarding the risks and responsibilities , many of which are as yet unknown , that distant medical intervention, consultation and diagnosis carry. [source] Alcohol Biomarkers in Applied Settings: Recent Advances and Future Research OpportunitiesALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2010Raye Z. Litten During the past decade, advances have been made in the identification, development, and application of alcohol biomarkers. This is important because of the unique functions that alcohol biomarkers can serve in various applied settings. To carry out these functions, biomarkers must display several features including validity, reliability, adequacy of temporal window of assessment, reasonable cost, and transportability. During the past two decades, several traditional alcohol biomarkers have been studied in multiple human studies. Meanwhile, several new, promising biomarkers, including various alcohol metabolites and alcohol biosensors, are being explored in human studies. In addition, researchers have explored using biomarkers in combination and using biomarkers in combination with self-reports, resulting in increased sensitivity with little sacrifice in specificity. Despite these advances, more research is needed to validate biomarkers, especially the new ones, in humans. Moreover, recent advances in high-throughput technologies for genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics offer unique opportunities to discover novel biomarkers, while additional research is needed to perfect newly developed alcohol sensors. Development of more accurate biomarkers will help practicing clinicians to more effectively screen and monitor individuals who suffer from alcohol use disorders. [source] Habitat use, diet and roost selection by the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) in North America: a case for conserving an abundant speciesMAMMAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2002SALVATORE J. AGOSTA ABSTRACT Insectivorous bats are integral components of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite this, a growing number of factors causing world-wide declines in bat populations have been identified. Relatively abundant species are important for bat conservation because of their role in ecosystems and the research opportunities they offer. In addition, species that have been well-studied present unique opportunities to synthesize information and highlight important areas of focus for conservation and research. This paper focuses on a well-studied abundant bat, Eptesicus fuscus. I review the relevant literature on habitat use, diet and roost selection by E. fuscus in North America, and highlight important areas of conservation and research for this species, including the effects of roost disturbance, control of economically important insect pests, exposure to pesticides, long-term monitoring of populations, and the potential consequences of expanding populations. These issues have broad implications for other species and can be used to focus future research and conservation efforts. [source] Cryobanking of viable biomaterials: implementation of new strategies for conservation purposesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2009DOMINIK LERMEN Abstract Cryobanking, the freezing of biological specimens to maintain their integrity for a variety of anticipated and unanticipated uses, offers unique opportunities to advance the basic knowledge of biological systems and their evolution. Notably, cryobanking provides a crucial opportunity to support conservation efforts for endangered species. Historically, cryobanking has been developed mostly in response to human economic and medical needs , these needs must now be extended to biodiversity conservation. Reproduction technologies utilizing cryobanked gametes, embryos and somatic cells are already vital components of endangered species recovery efforts. Advances in modern biological research (e.g. stem cell research, genomics and proteomics) are already drawing heavily on cryobanked specimens, and future needs are anticipated to be immense. The challenges of developing and applying cryobanking for a broader diversity of species were addressed at an international conference held at Trier University (Germany) in June 2008. However, the magnitude of the potential benefits of cryobanking stood in stark contrast to the lack of substantial resources available for this area of strategic interest for biological science , and society at large. The meeting at Trier established a foundation for a strong global incentive to cryobank threatened species. The establishment of an Amphibian Ark cryobanking programme offers the first opportunity for global cooperation to achieve the cryobanking of the threatened species from an entire vertebrate class. [source] Spatial partitioning and asymmetric hybridization among sympatric coastal steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus), coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki) and interspecific hybridsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 9 2004CARL O. OSTBERG Abstract Hybridization between sympatric species provides unique opportunities to examine the contrast between mechanisms that promote hybridization and maintain species integrity. We surveyed hybridization between sympatric coastal steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) and coastal cutthroat trout (O. clarki clarki) from two streams in Washington State, Olsen Creek (256 individuals sampled) and Jansen Creek (431 individuals sampled), over a 3-year period. We applied 11 O. mykiss -specific nuclear markers, 11 O. c. clarki -specific nuclear markers and a mitochondrial DNA marker to assess spatial partitioning among species and hybrids and determine the directionality of hybridization. F1 and post-F1 hybrids, respectively, composed an average of 1.2% and 33.6% of the population sampled in Jansen Creek, and 5.9% and 30.4% of the population sampled in Olsen Creek. A modest level of habitat partitioning among species and hybrids was detected. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that all F1 hybrids (15 from Olsen Creek and five from Jansen Creek) arose from matings between steelhead females and cutthroat males implicating a sneak spawning behaviour by cutthroat males. First-generation cutthroat backcrosses contained O. c. clarki mtDNA more often than expected suggesting natural selection against F1 hybrids. More hybrids were backcrossed toward cutthroat than steelhead and our results indicate recurrent hybridization within these creeks. Age analysis demonstrated that hybrids were between 1 and 4 years old. These results suggest that within sympatric salmonid hybrid zones, exogenous processes (environmentally dependent factors) help to maintain the distinction between parental types through reduced fitness of hybrids within parental environments while divergent natural selection promotes parental types through distinct adaptive advantages of parental phenotypes. [source] Use of picosecond infrared laser for micromanipulation of early mammalian embryosMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 10 2009Artashes V. Karmenyan A high repetition rate (80 MHz) picosecond pulse (,2 psec) infrared laser was used for the inactivation (functional enucleation) of oocytes and two-cell mouse embryos and also for the fusion of blastomeres of two-cell mouse embryos. The laser inactivation of both blastomeres of two-cell mouse embryos by irradiation of nucleoli completely blocked further development of the embryo. The inactivation of one blastomere, however, did not affect the ability of the second intact blastomere to develop into a blastocyst after treatment. Laser inactivation of oocytes at Metaphase II (MII) stage and parthenogenetically activated pronuclear oocytes also completely blocked their ability for further development. Suitable doses of irradiation in cytoplasm region did not affect the ability of embryos and activated oocytes to development. The efficiency of laser induced fusion for blastomeres of two-cell embryos was 66.7% and all the tetraploid embryos developed successfully into blastocysts in culture. Our results demonstrate unique opportunities of the applications of a suitable infrared periodic pulse laser as a universal microsurgery tool for individual living cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 975,983, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] This Isn't Kansas Anymore, Toto: Team Teaching OnlineNEW DIRECTIONS FOR ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION, Issue 87 2000Gabriele Strohschen Collaborative teaching in an online environment offers unique opportunities and challenges for creative curriculum design and student learning. [source] Applications of protein microarrays for biomarker discoveryPROTEOMICS - CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 10-11 2008Niroshan Ramachandran Abstract The search for new biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring of diseases continues in earnest despite dwindling success at finding novel reliable markers. Some of the current markers in clinical use do not provide optimal sensitivity and specificity, with the prostate cancer antigen (PSA) being one of many such examples. The emergence of proteomic techniques and systems approaches to study disease pathophysiology has rekindled the quest for new biomarkers. In particular the use of protein microarrays has surged as a powerful tool for large-scale testing of biological samples. Approximately half the reports on protein microarrays have been published in the last two years especially in the area of biomarker discovery. In this review, we will discuss the application of protein microarray technologies that offer unique opportunities to find novel biomarkers. [source] Addressing disparities in diagnosing and treating depression: A promising role for continuing medical educationTHE JOURNAL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS, Issue S1 2007Karen M. Overstreet EdD Abstract Depression is a very common reason that individuals seek treatment in the primary care setting. However, advances in depression management are often not integrated into care for ethnic and racial minorities. This supplement summarizes evidence in six key areas,current practices in diagnosis and treatment, disparities, treatment in managed care settings, quality improvement, physician learning, and community-based participatory research,used to develop an intervention concept described in the concluding article. Evidence of gaps in the care for minorities, while discouraging, presents unique opportunities for medical educators to develop interventions with the potential to change physician behavior and thereby reduce disparities and enhance patient outcomes. [source] The Future of Freedom of Information in the United KingdomTHE POLITICAL QUARTERLY, Issue 1 2008BENJAMIN WORTHY This article investigates the future of Britain's Freedom of Information Act [FOIA]. It argues that the UK FOI regime faces a set of unique opportunities and challenges that may decisively impact upon the shape of FOI policy in Britain. On the one hand, the increasingly assertive FOIA appeal bodies, constant pressure from requesters, alongside the more open habits practised within the Civil Service, may serve together to ,open up' government information access. This in turn may widen and strengthen the British FOI regime. On the other hand, a series of potential obstacles may inhibit or undermine the new FOI regime. Delay and inconsistency, potential record management problems and ,gaps' within the scope of the Act, all present possible barriers to further openness. Most of all, following the two recent attempts to limit the scope of the legislation, the intentions and actions of the government will be crucial in shaping the future of FOI policy. [source] CTLA-4Ig in Combination with Anti-CD40L Prolongs Xenograft Survival and Inhibits Anti-Gal Ab Production in GT-Ko MiceAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2002Dengping Yin The generation of GT-Ko mice has provided unique opportunities to study allograft and xenograft rejection in the context of anti-,1,3-Gal antibody (anti-Gal Ab) responses. In this study we used the allotransplantation model of C3H hearts into galactosyltransferase-deficient (GT-Ko) mice and the xenotransplantation model of baby Lewis rat hearts into GT-Ko mice to investigate the ability of CTLA-4Ig in combination with anti-CD40L mAb to control graft rejection and anti-Gal Ab production. Murine CTLA-4Ig or anti-CD40L monotherapy prolonged allograft survival, and the combination of these reagents was most immunosuppressive. However short-term treatment with murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (muCTLA-4Ig) and/or CD40 ligand (CD154) monoclonal antibodies (anti-CD40L mAbs) was unable to induce indefinite allograft survival. CTLA-4-immunoglobulin fusion protein (CTLA-4Ig) or anti-CD40L monotherapy only marginally prolonged xenograft survival; the combination of human CTLA-4Ig and anti-CD40L significantly prolonged xenograft survival (74 days), while the combination of murine CTLA-4Ig and anti-CD40L resulted in graft survival of >,120 days. CTLA-4Ig or anti-CD40L monotherapy or the combination of these agents inhibited the production of alloAbs, including anti-Gal Abs. CTLA-4Ig or anti-CD40L monotherapy partially controlled xenoAb and anti-Gal Ab production, while the combination was more effective. These observations corroborate our previous observations that humoral, including anti-Gal Ab, responses and rejection following allograft or concordant xenograft transplantation in GT-Ko mice are T-cell dependent and can be controlled by costimulation blockade. [source] Emerging Chinese Architectural Practice Under Development: MADA s.p.a.m., URBANUS Architecture & Design, Atelier Zhanglei, standardarchitecture, MADARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 5 2008Laurence Liauw Abstract China presents unique opportunities to design and build innovative architectural structures. Laurence Liauw showcases five nascent practices, still under development, MADA s.p.a.m.,URBANUS, Atelier Zhanglei, standardarchitecture and MAD - who after having gained educations at top institutions in the US and Europe have come home to build cutting-edge designs that harness new technologies, creative processes and critical thinking. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Camouflage as Aesthetic SustainabilityARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 6 2006Dagmar Richter Abstract A textile approach to architecture offers unique opportunities to explore a structure's surface and texture. Through a discussion of the history of the technique of camouflage and her own projects with Design Research and Development (DR_D), Dagmar Richter demonstrates the potential for surface enrichment to exceed mere ornament or patterning. A ,performative texture', camouflage interacts with its context mimicking the natural and effectively disguising whatever it covers. With a now long military association, camouflage also provides anything but a neutral background for its cover. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Helioseismology program for Solar Dynamics ObservatoryASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 3-4 2007A. G. Kosovichev Abstract An overview of the science investigation program for the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) space mission scheduled for launch in 2008 is presented. The HMI investigation encompasses three primary objectives of the Living With a Star Program:.rst, to determine how and why the Sun varies; second, to improve our understanding of how the Sun drives global change and space weather; and third, to determine to what extent predictions of space weather and global change can be made and to prototype predictive techniques. Helioseismology provides unique tools to study the basic mechanisms of the Sun's magnetic activity and variability. It plays a crucial role in all HMI investigations, which include convection-zone dynamics and the solar dynamo; origin and evolution of sunspots, active regions and complexes of activity; sources and drivers of solar activity and disturbances; links between the internal processes and dynamics of the corona and heliosphere; and precursors of solar disturbances for space-weather forecasts. We describe new unique opportunities for helioseismology studies with HMI data, in combination with data from the other SDO instruments, Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and Extreme-ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE), and also from various space and ground-based observatories. The complete HMI science investigation and data analysis plan is available at http://hmi.stanford.edu. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Lesson plan for protein exploration in a large biochemistry class,BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 5 2003David W. Honey Abstract The teaching of structural concepts plays a prominent role in many chemistry and biology courses. When it comes to macromolecular systems, a thorough understanding of noncovalent interactions lays a strong foundation for students to understand such things as protein folding, the formation of protein-ligand complexes, and the melting of the DNA double helix. The incorporation of computer-based molecular graphics into the biochemistry curriculum has given students unique opportunities in visualizing the structure of biological molecules and recognizing the subtle aspects of noncovalent interactions. This report describes a series of visualization-based assignments developed to facilitate protein exploration in a large biochemistry class. A large enrollment can present special challenges for students to benefit from hands-on use of visualization software. Three of the assignments are described in detail along with a description of an on-line teaching tool used to manage the assignments and to coordinate the student groups participating in these exercises. [source] Alignment of Emergency Medicine Research Efforts with Clinical and Translational Science AwardsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 7 2008Chadwick D. Miller MD Abstract The Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) represent a major new funding pathway for health science investigators seeking National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds. This new pathway provides institutional-level support for clinical and translational research and is not tied to one organ system or disease process, fitting well with emergency medicine (EM) research needs. These awards open unique opportunities for advancing EM research. The CTSA mechanism provides institutional support from the NIH to promote both clinical and translational science. Of the 60 expected awards, 38 sites are currently funded. EM investigators can benefit the institutions applying for these awards and simultaneously gain from involvement. Some opportunities for participation provided by the CTSA include research training programs, joining multidisciplinary research teams, seed grant funding, and use of the CTSA-developed research infrastructure. Involvement of EM can benefit institutions by enhancing acute care research collaboration both within and among institutions. Emergency medicine researchers at institutions either planning to submit a CTSA application or with funded CTSA grants are encouraged to become actively involved in CTSA-related research programs. [source] The cell cycle: a review of regulation, deregulation and therapeutic targets in cancerCELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 3 2003Katrien Vermeulen This review will focus on these mechanisms, i.e. regulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) by cyclins, CDK inhibitors and phosphorylating events. The quality checkpoints activated after DNA damage are also discussed. The complexity of the regulation of the cell cycle is also reflected in the different alterations leading to aberrant cell proliferation and development of cancer. Consequently, targeting the cell cycle in general and CDK in particular presents unique opportunities for drug discovery. This review provides an overview of deregulation of the cell cycle in cancer. Different families of known CDK inhibitors acting by ATP competition are also discussed. Currently, at least three compounds with CDK inhibitory activity (flavopiridol, UCN-01, roscovitine) have entered clinical trials. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||