Group In April Research Articles

Editorial: advances in neuroscience: the BRAIN initiative and implications for neuroendocrinology.

Editorial: advances in neuroscience: the BRAIN initiative and implications for neuroendocrinology.

Proposal and practice of software process improvement framework – Toshiba's software process improvement history since 2000

SUMMARYFor the effective promotion of software process improvement (SPI) activities in a large organization, it is necessary to establish an organizational structure and a deployment method for promotion and to develop training courses, support tools, and other materials. Even if an organizational promotion system is established, the SPI activities of each development department cannot be promoted effectively without an SPI community. To promote SPI activities throughout Toshiba Group, we organized a Corporate Software Engineering Process Group in April 2000. We also proposed an SPI framework. This framework extracts the features of organizations in which improvement activities were successful in the 1990s and combines them systematically. For over 10 years, we have been constructing Toshiba's SPI framework based on the SPI framework that we proposed and promoting process improvement activities using it. As a result, maturity levels were improved in many development departments, and the applicability of the SPI framework has been confirmed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diagnosis and Management of Uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in Adolescents and Adults: Summary of Evidence Reviewed for the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines

In preparation for the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Treatment Guidelines, the CDC convened an advisory group in April 2009 to examine recent abstracts and published literature addressing the diagnosis and management of STDs. This article summarizes the key questions, evidence, and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of uncomplicated Chlamydia trachomatis infection in adolescents and adults that were considered in development of the 2010 CDC STD Treatment Guidelines. The evidence reviewed primarily focused on specimen types used for nucleic acid amplification testing for chlamydia diagnosis, considerations in screening men for chlamydia and repeat testing after infected men receive treatment, and the natural history of chlamydia.

Financing Vaccination of Children and Adolescents: National Vaccine Advisory Committee Recommendations

Financing Vaccination of Children and Adolescents: National Vaccine Advisory Committee Recommendations

Developing indicators for measuring Research Capacity Development in primary care organizations: a consensus approach using a nominal group technique

Research Capacity Development (RCD) in the National Health Service supports the production of evidence for decision-making in policy and practice. This study aimed to establish a level of consensus on a range of indicators to measure research capacity in primary care organizations. Indicators were developed in a two-stage process using workshops and modified nominal group technique. In 2005, workshops were used to generate possible indicators from a wide range of research active and research-interested people. A theoretical framework of six principles of RCD was used to explore and identify indicators. Data were thematically coded, and a 129-item, 9-point Likert scale questionnaire was developed. A purposive sample of nine experts in developing research capacity in primary care agreed to take part in a nominal group in April 2006. The questionnaire was circulated prior to the meeting, and analysis of the responses formed the basis for structured discussion. Participants were then asked to rescore the questionnaire. Only seven participants were able to take part in the discussion and rescore stages. Data were analysed in two ways: level of relevance attributed to each indicator as a measure of organizational RCD, represented by median responses (medians of 7-9 defined strong support, 4-6 indicated moderate support and 1-3 indicated weak support), and level of consensus reached by the group. Consensus was reached if 85% of the group rated an indicator within the same band. Eighty-nine (68%) indicators were ranked as strongly relevant, and for seventy-three of these indicators, a consensus was reached. The study was successful in generating a set of agreed indicators considered relevant for measuring RCD in primary care organizations. These will form the basis of a pilot tool kit to assist primary care organizations to develop research capacity. Further work will explore the applicability of the indicators in practice.

The Italian National Police DVI team

Mass disaster can involve natural or non-natural catastrophes: each incident has its own characteristics and will involve a different approach. Following our experience in Thailand and in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt), in Italy it has been formally instituted a DVI group in April 2006. The Italian Police DVI group is constituted of 12 sub-groups. Every sub-group is composed of 10 different professionals. All these figures come from the Italian National Police so the DVI group is almost independent and could work either by itself or in collaboration with other groups.

The Enigmatic Development of Psoriasis and Psoriasiform Lesions During Anti-TNF Therapy: A Review

The paradoxical observation that antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents are capable of inducing psoriasis and psoriasiform skin lesions while also being therapy for psoriasis gained substantial support following the description of this condition by several authors. Our aim was to review the literature of this subject. A retrospective review of the literature was performed using the Medline database between 2005 and February 2007. Since the first publication by our group in April 2005 to the present, 50 cases of this type of dermatitis have been described. More than half of the cases were associated with the use of infliximab. Different presentations of psoriasis were reported, plaque form being the most prevalent. A number of clinical and immunological observations suggest a cytokine disequilibrium in patients receiving chronic anti-TNF therapy leading to this condition. Treatment for the skin disease includes changing the anti-TNF agent or discontinuing the medication. The appearance of psoriasis and psoriasiform lesions during chronic anti-TNF therapy is dependent on the presence of known and unknown interrelated factors. Enhanced clinician awareness of this drug complication and further investigation of its mechanisms are warranted.

Assessment of Quality of Life as Outcome in Dementia and MCI Intervention Trials

We conducted a systematic review of the use of quality of life (QoL) measures as outcome in pharmacological and nonpharmacologic intervention trials in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia, and their proxies. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from a search of the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group in April 2006. We also checked references and systematic reviews. Primary and secondary end points were screened for QoL-scales, and it was registered whether information on responsiveness was provided. We found 117 pharmacologic and 108 nonpharmacologic RCTs. One of the pharmacologic and 4 of the nonpharmacologic studies used QoL as primary outcome, and 2 and 3, respectively, as secondary end point. Altogether QoL was assessed in only 10 (4.4%) of these RCTs, of which 2 reported on responsiveness of QoL. This review provides evidence that QoL-instruments are seldom used as outcome measures in RCTs in dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment, and that information on responsiveness is scarce. QoL-measures should be applied more often in clinical trials, as currently no disease modifying drugs are available, although there are valid and reliable QoL-measures for dementia that reflect the aims of palliative care and provide transparent information about patient's and caregiver's treatment benefits. We recommend further research efforts aimed at the determination of the minimal important difference in QoL-scales and the responsiveness of QoL-scales. Subsequently, QoL should be measured as relevant end point, both in patients and their proxies, in all clinical trials in dementia.

Percutaneous Implantation of Aortic Valve Prosthesis in Patients with Calcific Aortic Stenosis: Technical Advances, Clinical Results and Future Strategies

To date, one third of patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis are not operated on because of advanced age, depressed left ventricular function, or comorbidities. Whereas balloon aortic valvuloplasty can be used as a palliative treatment in this population, the hemodynamic and clinical benefits of the procedure are only temporary. With the goal of offering to this subset of patients a nonsurgical therapeutic option with improved results and longer term positive outcomes, we developed a percutaneous implantable bioprosthetic heart valve able to be inserted within the native diseased aortic valve using cardiac catheterization techniques. The first human implant was performed by our group in April 2002 using the antegrade transeptal approach. Since then, we have implanted the valve on compassionate basis in a series of nonsurgical elderly patients with end‐stage aortic stenosis and multiple comorbidities, all declined by cardiac surgeons for valve replacement. This article describes the technical improvements of the device and implantation protocols, provides clinical results of the first series of patients, and outlines strategies for future development of the percutaneous heart valve.

Evaluation of melatonin and bromocryptine administration in Spanish goats: III. Effects on hair follicle activity, density and relationships between follicle characteristics

Melatonin treatment for out of season breeding in goats may also affect skin hair follicle activity, thereby influencing the spring growth phase and yield of cashmere. Female Spanish goats (15 does and 65 kids) were allotted to five treatments: control (C), melatonin implants (MI; 18 mg, 42-day release); melatonin and bromocryptine implants (MIB; 225 mg, 60-day release period); oral administration of melatonin (MO; 3 mg/day); oral administration of melatonin and bromocryptine implants (MOB). Treatments began in March (spring), and hair follicle characteristics were monitored monthly from February to May. Mean initial and final body weights were 27.9 ± 1.2 and 35.3 ± 1.2 kg, respectively. The total follicle number was greater ( P < 0.05) for the MOB group, compared to the C group in April, while in May the total follicle number was greater ( P < 0.05) for the MIB group, compared to the C and MO groups. Secondary follicle numbers were greater ( P < 0.05) for the MIB than for C and MO and for MOB versus C, MI and MO groups ( P < 0.05). The primary active follicle percentage was correlated ( P < 0.001) to the secondary active follicle percentage ( r = 0.32), and the correlation ( P < 0.01) between secondary active follicle percentage and mean cashmere fiber diameter was r = 0.31. The primary active follicle ratio did not differ between treatments, but the secondary active follicle ratio was greater ( P < 0.01) for treatments with melatonin administration, compared to the control in March, April and May. Primary follicle numbers, secondary follicle numbers, total follicle numbers, secondary to primary follicle ratio, primary follicle diameter, secondary follicle and primary to secondary follicle diameter ratio averaged 3.9 ± 0.15 mm 2, 26.8 ± 1.22 mm 2, 30.8 ± 1.31 mm 2, 7.0:1 ± 0.23, 74.0 ± 2.87 μm, 15.6 ± 0.19 μm and 4.7:1 ± 0.18, respectively. Positive correlations were recorded ( P < 0.001) for follicular characteristics, such as the secondary follicle number with total follicle number ( r = 0.99), secondary to primary ratio ( r = 0.68), group follicle number ( r = 0.63) and group secondary to primary follicle ratio ( r = 0.63), and primary follicle diameter with primary secondary diameter ratio ( r = 0.96). Negative correlations were recorded ( P < 0.01), for primary follicle number with primary follicle diameter ( r = −0.42), secondary follicle diameter ( r = −0.33) with secondary and primary follicle ratio ( r = −0.48), and primary follicle number with primary and secondary diameter ratio ( r = −0.33). Of the follicular groupings, 90% were of the trio primary follicle type, whereas the remaining 10% were of the solo, duo and quartet primary follicular group formations. All primary follicles possessed medullae and some secondary marginal follicles (intermediate type) were medullated, but few follicles of the pure cashmere follicle type had medullae. Hair follicles varied from low, moderate to high density in Spanish goats. Fiber growth rate, fiber diameter and extended follicular activity rate during the spring months suggest that an accelerated breeding program for Spanish goats by melatonin treatment for breeding in the spring could be also profitable by extending the spring cashmere growth phase into a commercially harvestable cashmere length.

Balancing Acts: The Gulf States and Israel

The national interests of weak states are subject both to external pressures, applied by strong states, and internal pressures. It is assumed that due to their weakness, external demands have a gre...

The Changing View of Acrylamide Neurotoxicity

Acrylamide (ACR) is a water-soluble, vinyl monomer that has multiple chemical and industrial applications: e.g., waste water management, ore processing. In addition, ACR is used extensively in molecular laboratories for gel chromatography and is present in certain foods that have been prepared at very high temperatures. Extensive studies in rodents and other laboratory animals have provided evidence that exposure to monomeric ACR causes cellular damage in both the nervous and reproductive systems, and produces tumors in certain hormonally responsive tissues. Whereas human epidemiological studies have demonstrated a significantly elevated incidence of neurotoxicity in occupationally exposed populations, such research has not, to date, revealed a corresponding increase in cancer risk. Since the announcement by a Swedish research group in April 2002 [J. Ag. Food Chem. 50 (2002) 4998] regarding the presence of ACR in potato and grain-based foods, there has been a renewed interest in the toxic actions of this chemical. Therefore, in this review, we consider the different toxic effects of ACR. The neurotoxic actions of ACR will be the focal point since neurotoxicity is a consequence of both human and laboratory animal exposure and since this area of investigation has received considerable attention over the past 30 years. As will be discussed, a growing body of evidence now indicates that the nerve terminal is a primary site of ACR action and that inhibition of corresponding membrane-fusion processes impairs neurotransmitter release and promotes eventual degeneration. The electrophilic nature of ACR suggests that this neurotoxicant adducts nucleophilic sulfhydryl groups on certain proteins that are critically involved in membrane fusion. Adduction of thiol groups also might be common to the reproductive and carcinogenic effects of ACR. A final goal of this review is to identify data gaps that retard a comprehensive understanding of ACR pathophysiological processes.

Temporal changes in texture, gaping, composition and copper status of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar, L) fed moist feed or extruded dry feed

Temporal development in product quality and copper status was investigated in Atlantic salmon (initial weight 2.3 kg) fed alginate-based moist feed (MF) or commercial extruded dry feed (DF). The fieldwork was conducted from January to May in sea-cages (800 m 3) off the Norwegian west coast. The dry matter content (DM) in the muscle of the MF group was stable at about 32% throughout the experiment, while the DM of DF group increased linearly from 32% to 35%. Salmon were sampled for analyses of Cu status, fillet gaping, texture and pH in March and April. The serum Cu content of the MF group was highest in March, but no significant effect of dietary treatment was observed on Cu status of muscle or liver. The Cu level in serum and muscle decreased from March to April in both fish groups, but the hepatic Cu level showed no temporal changes. Gaping incidence and pH were higher in the MF group in April compared with the DF group and, for both fish groups, fillet gaping was higher and hardness was lower in April than in March. Variation in serum Cu level explained 32% of the variation in fillet hardness, and serum and muscle Cu level related negatively with gaping. At the end of the experiment the condition factor, and fillet and visceral fat contents were higher in the DF group, while sensory evaluated hardness and tastiness were similar for both dietary treatments. In conclusion, sampling time had a greater impact on Cu status, texture and gaping than dietary treatment during springtime in adult Atlantic salmon. Dietary treatment significantly affected body shape, and fat and dry matter contents.

A survey of computer use in Scottish primary care: general practitioners are no longer technophobic but other primary care staff need better computer access

To describe the use of computing systems by primary care staff in Scotland. Participants Practice managers in Scotland on behalf of their practice teams. A survey of computer use in Scottish general practices was carried out by the Scottish Clinical Information Management in Primary Care (SCIMP) group in April 2001. Every practice was sent an electronic copy of a questionnaire using NHSnet. Practices that did not respond to the electronic version were sent a paper version of the questionnaire. Access to computers, use during consultations, links to laboratories, problems experienced by users. A total of 308 practices (30%) replied to the electronic questionnaire and 346 practices (33%) to a paper version, giving an overall response rate of 63% (654 practices). A total of 296 (29%) of practices could not receive the electronic version. It was reported that 94% of general practitioners and 74% of practice nurses frequently used a computer; 72% of practices used their computer for chronic disease management. There was great variability in links to laboratories for lab results (range 1-30% by region). Of responding practices, 16% had plans for a unified patient record, but access to a computer is still a major problem for community nurses. Satisfaction was expressed for all systems and many practices also use third-party programs. Most Scottish doctors make frequent use of computers for a variety of clinical and practice management activities. Many other staff want to make greater use of computers, but are often unable to obtain access.

スキーおよび体操競技選手の体平衡

The effects of sports training on equilibrium function were evaluated with Equi-TestTM. Posture control of athletes was evaluated by sensory organization test (SOT) and movement coordination test (MCT). The SOT evaluates postural stability under 6 conditions such as a reduction in visual and/or somatosensory information. The MCT evaluates the strength of postural response to the acute translations of force plates. The protocols and results were as follows:(1) Two groups were tested. Group 1 included 14 ski runners from the ski club at our university. Group 2 was a 12-subject control group with no sports training. Both groups were tested in October before the ski season and in April of the next year, after the ski season. In both examinations, the postural stability in SOT of the ski group was better than that of the control group in conditions 4 to 6. Furthermore, in conditions 3 to 6, the stability of ski group in April had improved compared to that in October, suggesting that ski training contributed to the improvement of equilibrium function. The response strength in backward translation had significantly decreased in April in both groups, but that in forward translation significantly decreased only in the ski group, suggesting that the skilled skiers might become able to utilize minimal appropriate response strength to perturbations.(2) Thirteen female high school gymnasts were tested. In SOT, correlation between postural stability and the number of training years was analyzed. The findings showed that postural stability tended to become worse as the number of training years increased, which may due to the specificity of training for this sport.The findings in these two studies suggest that equilibrium function varies among sports.

The Microsoft database research group

Microsoft’s strategic interest in the database field dates from 1993 and the efforts of David Vaskevitch, who is now the Microsoft Vice President in charge of the database and transaction processing product development groups. David’s vision was that the world would need millions of servers, and that this presented a wonderful opportunity to a company like Microsoft that sells software in high volume and at low prices. Database systems played an important role in Vaskevitch’s vision, and, indeed, in Microsoft’s current product plans. David began looking for premier database and transaction processing people in late 1993. The scope of Vaskevitch’s efforts included a desire for Microsoft to establish a database research group. Rick Rashid, Microsoft Research Vice President, collaborated with Vaskevitch in recruiting David Lomet from Digital’s Cambridge Research Lab to initiate the Microsoft Database Research Group. Lomet joined Microsoft Research in January of 1995. Hence, Microsoft’s Database Research Group is now a little over three and a half years old. One person does not a group make. Recruiting efforts continued. Surajit Chaudhuri, a researcher from HP Labs joined the Database Group in February of 1996. Paul Larson, a professor from the University of Waterloo joined in May of that year. Vivek Narasayya was initially an intern as a graduate student from the University of Washington in the summer of 1996, officially joining the group in April of 1997. Roger Barga, the newest member of the group and a new Oregon Graduate Institute Ph.D., joined in December, 1997.

An Analytical Survey of Aflatoxins in Tissues from Swine Grown in Regions Reporting 1988 Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn

A joint project was undertaken by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Agriculture Research Service branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the presence of aflatoxins in the U.S. meat supply during a drought year. In 1988, high incidences of aflatoxins occurred in corn grown in regions of the Midwest, Southeast, and South. Six states were identified as having serious aflatoxin contamination in their corn crop: Virginia, North and South Carolina, Texas, Iowa, and Illinois. Swine liver and pillars of diaphragm (muscle) tissues were sampled by federal FSIS Inspectors in plants located in these states. A worstcase sampling plan was conducted. Samples were taken in January 1989 from hogs fed corn soon after harvest and in April 1989 from hogs fed corn originally stored and then fed in the spring. A modification of the official AOAC method for the thin-layer chromatography (TLC) determination of aflatoxins in animal tissue was used to permit quantitation by LC with fluorescence detection. The official AOAC TLC confirmation of identity method was used to confirm all positive samples with B1 concentrations greater than 0.04 ppb and M1 concentrations greater than 0.1 ppb. Sixty samples in the January group and 100 samples in the April group were assayed. Concentrations of aflatoxins B1 and M1 in the first group of pig livers ranged from 0.04 to 0.06 ppb. The identity of aflatoxin B1 was confirmed in all positive samples. Aflatoxin M1 could not be confirmed in any of the positive liver samples because the method was insufficiently sensitive for this aflatoxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Recuperating Arnold: Romanticism and Modern Projects of Disinterestedness

An early version of this paper was presented to the Queen's Theory Group in April 1988. I am extremely grateful to many people for criticism and advice, including Karl Kroeber, Mark Langlet, Les Monkman, Patricia Rae, and Mel Wiebe. 1. Stanley Fish, Consequences, chap. 14 of Doing What Comes Naturally: Change, Rhetoric, and the Practice of Theory in Literary and Legal Studies (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989), 319; this volume is hereafter cited in my text as DWCN. Consequences first appeared in Critical Inquiry 11 (1985): 433-58. boundary 2 18:2, 1991. Copyright C 1991 by Duke University Press. CCC 0190-3659/91/$1.50.

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Seasonal changes in perinatal vitamin D metabolism: maternal and cord blood biochemistry in normal pregnancies.

Two groups of white, primiparous women and their babies were studied: one group in April 1979 and the other in September 1979. They were selected to be as near normal as possible. In each case maternal and cord blood samples were taken at delivery and analysed for serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD), calcium, magnesium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, and albumin. Follow-up was by questionnaire at 6 weeks. The study showed a highly significant increase in maternal and cord serum 25-OHD levels in September. The few mothers who had taken vitamin D supplements had significantly higher serum 25-OHD values. Some of the unsupplemented women studied in April had low serum 25-OHD levels suggesting that oral vitamin D supplements should be given to pregnant white women in Britain, at least during the winter.