Teething Problems Research Articles

Is the ICC Still Having Teething Problems?

The world community had, and still has, high expectations for the impartial rendering of justice by the International Criminal Court (ICC) which, unlike other international criminal tribunals, bears a universal scope and is charged with administering justice in a non-selective manner. However, the first situations brought before the Court and their handling by the Prosecutor give rise to a number of concerns. The practice of self-referrals by states involved in civil wars, who tend to accuse their rebel enemies, may cause misgivings. In addition, the overly cautious attitude of the Prosecutor with regard to the situation in Darfur, referred to him by the UN Security Council, cannot fail to baffle all those who take the cause of effective and expeditious justice to heart.

Living with Mortality: Longevity Bonds and Other Mortality-Linked Securities

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the problem of longevity risk — the risk of uncertain aggregate mortality — and discusses the ways in which life assurers, annuity providers and pension plans can manage their exposure to this risk. In particular, it focuses on how they can use mortality-linked securities and over-the-counter contracts — some existing and others still hypothetical — to manage their longevity risk exposures. It provides a detailed analysis of two such securities — the Swiss Re mortality bond issued in December 2003 and the EIB/BNP longevity bond announced in November 2004. It then looks at the universe of hypothetical mortality-linked securities — other forms of longevity bonds, swaps, futures and options — and investigates their potential uses. It also addresses implementation issues, and draws lessons from the experiences of other derivative contracts. Particular attention is paid to the issues involved with the construction and use of mortality indices, the management of the associated credit risks, and possible barriers to the development of markets for these securities. It suggests that these implementation difficulties are essentially teething problems that will be resolved over time, and so leave the way open to the development of flourishing markets in a brand new class of securities.

Reliability and Availability of Pod Propulsion Systems

AbstractThe application of pod propulsion in a number of vessel types has been increasing steadily over the last two decades. This increase is attributed to the great advantages being offered by pod propulsion systems such as high manoeuvring capability, low noise and vibration, low fuel consumption, etc. Despite these advantages, operators are cautious due to the encountered teething problems, especially in the very competitive passenger ship market, where reliability and the maintainability of the service are crucial. This paper presents a reliability assessment methodology and its application to a combined four‐pod propulsion system on a vessel equipped with two fixed‐ and two rotating‐pod units. The assessment methodology made use of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Markov Analysis complementarily. In the FTA, minimal cut set, reliability importance measure and availability analyses were also considered. From the quantitative reliability assessment, the calculated reliabilities of each fixed‐ and rotating‐pod unit, their components' reliabilities as well as the reliability of the combined four‐pod propulsion system showed good agreement with the acceptable reliability criteria suggested by the pod manufacturers/operators based on the service experience. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Maternal beliefs about infant teething

Context and objective: Parents ascribe many symptoms to teething despite a lack of evidence to support such claims. A descriptive study of the perceptions of mothers on teething problems was conducted. Methods: Information was obtained on a consecutive sample of 333 mothers from an urban slum in Lagos state, Nigeria drawn from different socioeconomic, educational and ethnic backgrounds on their perceptions on teething problems. Results: The mean age of the mothers was 29.2 years and majority (52%) were in the 20 -29 year age group. Most of the mothers (95.2%) perceived teething to be associated with various symptoms while only 4.8% did not. The commonest problems reported were fever (90.3%) and diarrhoea (87.3%). There was no statistically significant association between perception of teething problems and education, age, and ethnic background. About half of the mothers viewed the symptoms as not serious and would not take the child to the hospital. Conclusion: The beliefs and attitude of mothers about “teething” has serious implications for management of childhood fevers which may deserve urgent medical treatment. There is a need for early oral health education of mothers during the antenatal period to discourage the use of “teething as a ready explanation for childhood diseases.Keywords: infant teething, maternal beliefs, Lagos, NigeriaJournal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care 2005, 17(1): 61-64

Planning and deregulation

In 1996, the Victorian Liberal Kennett Government embarked on an ambitious experiment on the State's land use planning system by introducing the Victoria Planning Provisions (VPP). Since then, seven official reports have been made on aspects of this system. All have referred to operational inadequacies but none has proposed major changes. The Whitney Committee (2002), for example, argued that the system was inefficient and uncertain but concluded that the system was experiencing teething problems and was not in crisis. Better Decisions Faster (DSE 2003) recommended 18 measures to reduce the volume of permits and processing delays, and increase consistency in decision making. But despite promises by both the former Victorian Liberal (Maclellan 1996) and the current Labor (Thwaites 1999) governments, the system is not properly monitored and no comprehensive review of its performance by a state government has been carried out.

The Medic's Guide to Work and Electives around the World

I 'd recommend this book—a Lonely Planet guide, if you like, for healthcare workers, with many of the same strengths and limitations of that series. A second edition always has the advantage of having been tried and tested; initial teething problems will hopefully have been ironed out. A great deal more information has been added to this edition. The book is divided into three sections: Getting Ready, Destinations, and Adventure Medicine (expedition, diving, mountain medicine, and so on). An appendix includes details on nongovernmental agencies, travel bursaries, vaccine requirements, and embassies and …

Chemical mechanical planarization for microelectronics applications

The progressively decreasing feature size of the circuit components has tremendously increased the need for the global surface planarization of the various thin film layers that constitute the integrated circuit (IC). Global planarization, being one of the major solutions to meet the demands of the industry, needs to be achieved following the most efficient polishing procedure. Chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is the planarization method that has been selected by the semiconductor industry today. CMP, an ancient process used for glass polishing, was adopted first as a microelectronic fabrication process by IBM in the 80 s for SiO 2 polishing. To achieve efficient planarization at miniaturized device dimensions, there is a need for a better understanding of the physics, chemistry and the complex interplay of tribo-mechanical phenomena occurring at the interface of the pad and wafer in presence of the fluid slurry medium. In spite of the fact that CMP research has grown by leaps and bounds, there are some teething problems associated with CMP process such as delamination, microscratches, dishing, erosion, corrosion, inefficient post-CMP clean, etc.; research on which is still developing. The fundamental understanding of the CMP is highly necessary to characterize, optimize and model the process. The CMP process is ready to make a positive impact on 30% of the US$ 135 billion global semiconductor market. This paper presents an overview of CMP process in general, the science and mechanism of polishing, different metal and dielectric CMP processes. The impact of consumables on the CMP process, post-CMP cleaning, modeling of different CMP processes as well as the future trends are also discussed.

Biometrics latest: one size does not fit all comers

Biometrics has been kicking around for two decades or more in laboratories and been gleaming in the eyes of IT security marketing people for almost as long, but only recently made any great headway in the field. But the recent growth, mostly in government applications, has created significant teething problems, notably interoperability and integration into IT security management, that threaten to inhibit take up within the commercial sphere.

Animal Hospital—a Fairy Story

Animal Hospital—a Fairy Story

E‐learning at Sultan Qaboos University: status and future Ali Sharaf Al Musawi and Ahmed Yousif Abdelraheem

Describes issues emerging from research conducted on e-learning in higher education in Oman. E-learning at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU); Positive points regarding e-learning instruction; Research on information technology in teaching at SQU.

Coriolis - the almost perfect flowmeter

Coriolis mass flow meter technology has been touted as the ideal flow metering technology, and for many companies such as Procter & Gamble this has often been the case. Coriolis mass flow meter technology is the only commercially available technology that can measure true mass flow for our product streams. Coriolis is the most accurate of the industrial process flow metering technologies. It has no moving mechanical parts to wear out, so its theoretical lifespan is almost infinite. One limitation of Coriolis technology is size - flow meters above a nominal three or four inches become exceedingly large and commensurately expensive. For manufacturers in the area of specialty chemicals this is not a concern, as process pipelines in excess of four inches are uncommon. Coriolis technology had some initial teething problems, many of which have been effectively resolved by the vendors over the years. Sensitivity to building and pipeline vibration (both mechanical and hydraulic) initially created significant problems for the technology. The development of dual-tube and other technology advancements have effectively solved this problem. Price has always been an issue for Coriolis mass flow meters - it was a premium technology with a premium price. Several vendors have recently introduced low cost yet high performance Coriolis meters, effectively dealing with this issue.

Developing Photo-Posters for Health Education on Perceived Teething Problems in Nigeria

The development of photo-posters to educate the Nigerian community on the perceived problems of teething was prompted by research findings which revealed that misconceptions about teething were widespread within the populace and in particular among some health professionals. Studies have shown that 58% of ethnic Yoruba rural dwellers in Nigeria attributed ailments to the teething process, while 70% of market women in Enugu State perceived diarrhea in their children was due to teething. In a recent survey, 61.4% of nurses believed diarrhea should accompany the teething process. Furthermore 82.1%, 35.8%, and 27.9% of them implicated fever, weight loss, and boils respectively as signs of teething. Photo-posters adopt the use of visual representation of a problem and the goal of using photo-posters is to begin to create an understanding in the minds of people that babies can be healthy in spite of their erupting teeth. It is believed that using pictures of real babies who are seen to be healthy when their teeth first emerge should go a long way to reducing some of the misconceived ideas. In its development, the participatory approach was adopted involving selected members of the target population, thus making it a culturally appropriate tool. This article describes the rationale behind the choice of the photo-posters and the process of developing them.

The development and introduction of competency‐based training and assessment for the paediatric anaesthetic specialist registrar training module at St Bartholomew's and the Royal London Hospitals

Introduction Several recent high profile medical cases where doctors' clinical competence has been questioned has led to questions being asked about their fitness to practise. As a consequence higher medical training has been put under the spotlight. The media circus around such events has raised broader concerns with a public increasingly demanding information about their doctors' abilities. The Royal Medical Colleges in conjunction with central government have accepted the need to develop competency‐based training, in an attempt to address these concerns. We describe the educational process whereby a pragmatic, practical and achievable training programme has been created to provide basic level paediatric anaesthetic competence.Educational Methods in Programme Development Competency‐based training requires significant changes in approach for both trainee and trainers. This can be problematic if not introduced in a planned manner. The need for insight into the adult educational process is central to successful implementation. Competence can be defined as the ability of a professional to perform to a predefined standard, tasks appropriate to their position. Establishing whether a trainee is competent or not is more time consuming for the trainers. This is unavoidable, as evidence of learning has to be sought directly for each trainee to support the competence claim. The programme was developed by addressing the following educational requirements. An educational needs assessment of both trainer and trainee, associated with a learning opportunities assessment. Ultimately this will incorporate the Royal College of Anaesthetists competency‐based training targets once published. Development of a learning plan, identifying core and secondary learning areas and highlighting teaching methodology and training ethos. Core areas were separated into skills, knowledge and attitudes and standards expected. Implementation of the learning plan, including module structure, declaration of the curriculum, introduction and orientation of the trainee. Assessment of learning through a package aimed at identifying evidence of learning including index case, scenarios, resuscitation skills and attitude. Analgesia required for each surgical approach Laparotomy (Epidural) Laparotomy (NCA) Laparoscopy (NCA) Intra‐op fentanyl 2 mcg/kg 3 mcg/kg 3 mcg/kg Intra‐op morphine 0 mg/kg 0.1 mg/kg 0.15 mg/kg % Patients requiring infusion per day (D) D1 100 D2 100 D3 95 D4 68 D5 4 D1 100 D2 94 D3 50 D4 17 D5 6 D1 100 D2 100 D3 92 D4 42 D5 8 % Patients requiring paracetamol per day (D) D1 86 D2 90 D3 80 D4 100 D5 0 D1 100 D2 94 D3 100 D4 100 D5 0 D1 88 D2 68 D3 90 D4 50 D5 0 % Patients requiring diclofenac per day (D) D1 73 D2 71 D3 67 D4 100 D5 0 D1 67 D2 71 D3 89 D4 100 D5 0 D1 63 D2 41 D3 30 D4 50 D5 0 NCA = nurse controlled analgesia Evaluation of teaching including feedback from trainees and trainers, other senior members of the paediatric multidisciplinary team. Discussion We have been running this assessment package since June 2001 and whilst there were inevitable teething problems the package has been well received by trainees and staff. It confirms the need to be practical when setting core learning goals as these goals essentially become your core curriculum and therefore also become mandatory for inclusion in your assessment package. Other pertinent issues relate to the consequences of deeming a trainee not competent, and the legal implications of this conclusion for service provision and career progression.Conclusion Competency based training will require a sea change in attitude of both trainees and trainers. However, demands for proven clinical competence cannot be ignored.

Keyskills for all? The key skills qualification and Curriculum 2000

It is widely recognized that the Key Skills Qualification - an important component of the Curriculum 2000 advanced level curriculum reforms - has experienced extensive problems during its first full year of implementation. This much is not in dispute. What is being keenly debated, however, are the ways in which this experience should be analysed and what lessons should be drawn. Is it a case of understandable ‘teething problems’ that will be overcome as the qualification ‘beds in’ or are there deeper and more fundamental problems of the purpose and design of the Key Skills Qualification for advanced level students? In order to address these questions, this article examines the Key Skills Qualification within its historical and policy context as well as bringing together a range of quantitative and qualitative evidence gathered as part of an Institute of Education (IOE)/Nuffield Foundation R esearch Project. The research suggests that while there is support for the concept of key skills, the Qualification has been met with considerable student and professional resistance due to its narrow skills focus and assessment regime within the context of increased study programmes at advanced level. We conclude that the Government's aim of ‘key skills for all’ at advanced level is unlikely to be achieved unless it takes a fundamentally different approach to policy in this area.

Monoclonal antibodies in the clinic.

Despite initial teething problems, the number of clinically effective monoclonal antibodies is growing.

Assessing professional practice ‘in the field’: experiences from the professional accreditation of conservator–restorers

The Professional Accreditation of Conservator–Restorers (PACR) is a practice-based assessment and accreditation framework operated jointly by three of the professional bodies in the cultural heritage field. PACR was introduced in 2000 following trials in 1998-99. Early evidence indicates that PACR, based on a detailed application and a full-day workplace visit by two assessors, provides a valid and rigorous means of assessing professional competence in the field of conservation. Although there have been teething problems, the majority of assessments were effective and fair. The assessment methodology appears to have significant advantages over alternatives such as portfolio-based assessment, although there is also less margin for error and higher costs associated with rectifying any problems. The transferability of the PACR methodology is likely to vary with occupational field, with it being most applicable to fields where it is possible to examine and discuss practical evidence on site.

Geographical Information Systems and Expert Systems for Impact Assessment Part I : GIS

Impact Assessment (AI) is getting over its teething problems of the early 1990s, and is now trying to define, consolidate and spread best practice. It has been suggested that computer technologies like Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and/or decision-support tools like Expert Systems (ES) can play an important part in this process, and in a series of two articles we critically review these technologies, their use and their potential — and drawbacks — for IA. This first article is devoted to GIS, powerful packages that can handle spatial information quite efficiently in map form, but whose analytical capabilities are rather limited and would benefit from being articulated with other tools to make their use more friendly and efficient. The proposition underlying these articles is that these three areas (IA, GIS and ES), if properly organised, are potentially complementary and there can be mutual benefits if they are brought together. We concentrate on GIS first, ES will be discussed in the next paper.

Diversity and identity: the merger of five research councils in Norway

The merger in 1993 of Norway's five research councils into a single organisation was a bold decision going against the normal funding arrangements in other OECD countries. There have been considerable teething problems and criticisms and complaints from many quarters. There is a lack of confidence in the new Council within the research community and among important users. Misgivings are today expressed by supporters of the merger, yet the very fact of the Council's survival as one body is remarkable, given the difficulties encountered. The merger in Norway has been followed closely from many quarters and an international evaluation has been announced. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Australia's Foreign Policy after Timor

THE SETTINGIn July 1997, John Howard's conservative government honoured an election promise and issued In the National Interest, Australia's first ever white paper on foreign and trade policies. Election promises, like pie-crusts, are made to be broken, but 1996 was such a turbulent year in Australian politics - an ephemeral populist racist movement, Hansonism, exploited some of the domestic discontents of globalization - and such an error-filled year in foreign policy that there was a strong compulsion on the government to retrieve some ground by setting out its international philosophy.It was a risky move. Howard's record did not suggest a keen interest in foreign affairs. In the tradition of bipartisanship in this area, his party's programme seemed to contain few, if any, convincing differences from its Labor predecessors. Predictions in international affairs are always hazardous. Australia's longest-serving foreign minister, Richard Gardiner (later Lord) Casey, an artist of aphorisms, used to say that 'diplomats, unlike the money market, don't deal in futures.' Technological advances have aided the professionals' preference for making policy on the run, for foreign policy as the art of the skilful fumble. By 1997 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), in the tenth year of its merger, had survived serious teething problems and severe downsizing largely by giving economic and financial issues precedence over traditional broad politico-security concerns.Mercantilism shaped the white paper. In the words of the foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer, in an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on 31 March 1999: 'a fifteen year perspective ... identified globalisation and the economic rise of Asia as defining trends.' These themes were not novel. They would have been acceptable to Labor's Prime Minister Paul Keating, who had reined in his roving foreign minister, Gareth Evans, and demanded a focused (or niche) foreign policy giving priority to trade, Indonesia, and Japan (to which the white paper added the United States and China). The validity of the white paper's second focus was widely questioned because it appeared just after the economic crisis broke in Asia. However, in his speech Downer expressed the government view that the crisis was all but over and reaffirmed the white paper: 'we have no reason to change those medium- to long-term trends.'This was surprising because it appeared to misjudge the damage the crisis would do to political, security, and social superstructures and, consequently, to under-estimate change in the hierarchy of challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region - not to mention the inevitable pain still to be suffered, especially by Indonesia where crony capitalism remains largely intact.THE EMERGENCE OF EAST TIMOR IN 1999Downer's introductory observations set the scene for a speech on 'Indonesia, East Timor and Australia: New Challenges, Enduring Interests.' The rest of 1999 has been the story of how the tiny territory of East Timor (area just under 15,000 square kilometres, population perhaps 800,000) turned out to be the catalyst for change in Australia's immediate regional environment and present the greatest challenge for Australian foreign policy.It is not possible in this article, which looks forward, to retrace the history of East Timor, a Portuguese colony from 1524-1975, and of Australia's peripheral involvement in it. Suffice it to say that during the Second World War, it was the locus of a major Australian guerrilla war against Japanese invaders, at whose hands some 40,000 Timorese died, and its tragic history over the last quarter of a century since its incorporation into Indonesia by force has involved fatalities in the range 100,000-200,000. Geography and humanitarianism have put East Timor and the perceived shortcomings of Australian policy under continued scrutiny, and the ensuing controversy has split public and political opinion across parties. …

Payment-by-results. Is there a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?

Advertising agency remuneration has changed dramatically in the past decade as existing methods fell short in the provision of more certain equitability and incentive in the new age of cost cutting and accountability. Payment-by-results (pbr) has captured the imagination of marketing and advertising executives alike, but there is less certainty when it comes to implementation. Lengthy negotiations, trial and error and teething problems are common as both parties search to maximise potential benefits and eliminate potential pitfalls. This paper reviews some of the evidence and best practice advice as a precursor to describing planned research activity upon which fuller advice could be offered. There is already positive evidence of enhanced client satisfaction and improved income for agencies as a result of pbr, but less certainty on (1) whether this is perceived as having been good value, (2) how a scheme should best be structured, and (3) whether other potential benefits actually accrue. This evidence aims to provide reassurance and the example for new ingenuity.