Showing papers by "Keele University published in 2000"
TL;DR: A meta-analytic review of cross-sectional studies of the association of peer victimization with psychosocial maladjustment suggested that victimization is most strongly related to depression, and least stronglyrelated to anxiety.
Abstract: Cross-sectional quantitative designs are often used to investigate whether peer victimization is positively related to psychosocial maladjustment. This paper presents a meta-analytic review of cross-sectional studies, published between 1978 and 1997, of the association of peer victimization with psychosocial maladjustment. Mean effect sizes were calculated for the association between peer victimization and each form of maladjustment (depression, loneliness, generalized and social anxiety, and global and social self-worth) assessed. The results suggested that victimization is most strongly related to depression, and least strongly related to anxiety. There was no evidence that victimization is more strongly related to social than to psychological forms of maladjustment. Effect sizes were stronger when the same informants were used to assess both victimization and maladjustment than when different informants were used. There were some design limitations to the studies reviewed, but all together their results provide a strong background for more complex research into the course and treatment of victims' distress.
2,603 citations
TL;DR: Critical Management Studies (CMS) as discussed by the authors is a popular area of research in management, and it has attracted a growing interest in recent years, with a combination of political, institutional and epistemological trends.
Abstract: We have recently witnessed a growing, if still arguably marginal, interest in `Critical Management Studies' (CMS). Our aim in this paper is to reflect upon the popularization of CMS; more specifically, we propose to examine the various factors that have contributed to its emergence, and to review the significance of its project. We start by exploring the conditions of possibility for CMS and point to a combination of political, institutional and epistemological trends. In the second part of the paper, we consider what constitutes `CMS' and suggest that whilst it draws upon a plurality of intellectual traditions, CMS is unified by an anti performative stance, and a commitment to (some form of) denaturalization and reflexivity. Finally, we articulate the polemics around which CMS politics have been contested, in particular we review the debates between neo-Marxism and post-structuralism, and discuss the issue of engagement with management practice.
933 citations
TL;DR: Two supergene families encode proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity that detoxify a variety of electrophilic compounds, including oxidized lipid, DNA and catechol products generated by reactive oxygen species-induced damage to intracellular molecules.
Abstract: Two supergene families encode proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity: the family of soluble enzymes comprises at least 16 genes; the separate family of microsomal enzymes comprises at
932 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that music is important to adolescents, and that this is because it allows them to portray an 'image' to the outside world and satisfy their emotional needs.
Abstract: Aims. The study aims to determine the importance of music to adolescents in England, and investigates why they listen to and perform music. Sample. A total of 2465 adolescents (1149 males; 1266 females; 50 participants did not state their sex) between 13 and 14 years of age who were attending Year 9 at one of 22 secondary schools in the North Staffordshire region of England. Method. A questionnaire asked participants (a) about their degree of involvement with musical activities; (b) to rate the importance of music relative to other activities; and (c) to rate the importance of several factors that might determine why they and other people of their age and sex might listen to/perform pop and classical music. Results. Responses indicated that i) over 50% of respondents either played an instrument currently or had played regularly before giving up, and the sample listened to music for an average of 2.45 hours per day; ii) listening to music was preferred to other indoor activities but not to outdoor activities; iii) listening to/playing pop music has different perceived benefits to listening to/ playing classical music; iv) responses to suggested reasons for listening to music could be grouped into three factors; and v) responses to suggested reasons for playing music could be grouped into four factors. Conclusions. These results indicate that music is important to adolescents, and that this is because it allows them to (a) portray an ‘ image’ to the outside world and (b) satisfy their emotional needs.
628 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the effect of prior calcite precipitation along a flow path on calcite dissolution and calcite deformation in cave waters and found that the deformation of calcite is a powerful mechanism for generating enhanced and covarying Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios.
507 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how we might best come to terms with and govern the multiplicity of institutional forms that are now involved in the delivery of policing and security services and technologies.
Abstract: This article asks how we might best come to terms with - and seek to govern - the multiplicity of institutional forms that are now involved in the delivery of policing and security services and technologies. I begin by documenting briefly the network of providers that constitute the policing field locally, nationally and transnationally, before specifying how the fragmentation and pluralization of policing has called radically into doubt a number of received (liberal) suppositions about the relationship between police and government. I then attempt - drawing constructively yet critically on recent theorizations of governance and ‘governmentality’ - to make sense of some contemporary reconfigurations of policing within and beyond the state, and tease out their implications for questions of democratic legitimacy. Finally, I outline the contours of an institutional politics for the regulation of policing that is both normatively adequate to the task of connecting policing to processes of public will-formatio...
402 citations
TL;DR: There is now strong evidence for an occupational hazard of knee OA resulting from prolonged kneeling and squatting and one approach to reducing this risk may lie in the avoidance of obesity in people who perform this sort of work.
Abstract: Objective: to assess the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA) associated with kneeling, squatting, and other occupational activities. Methods: we compared 518 patients who were listed for surgical treatment of knee OA and an equal number of control subjects from the same communities who were matched for sex and age. Histories of knee injury and occupational activities were ascertained at interview, height and weight were measured, and the hands were examined for Heberden's nodes. Data were analyzed by conditional logistic regression. Results: after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), history of knee injury, and the presence of Heberden's nodes, risk was elevated in subjects who reported prolonged kneeling or squatting (odds ratio [OR] 1.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3-2.8), walking >2 miles/day (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.8), and regularly lifting weights of at least 25 kg (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2-2.6) in the course of their work. The risks associated with kneeling and squatting were higher in subjects who also reported occupational lifting, and appeared to interact multiplicatively with the risk conferred by obesity. People with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 whose work had entailed prolonged kneeling or squatting had an OR of 14.7 (95% CI 7.2-30.2), compared with subjects with a BMI Conclusion: there is now strong evidence for an occupational hazard of knee OA resulting from prolonged kneeling and squatting. One approach to reducing this risk may lie in the avoidance of obesity in people who perform this sort of work.
372 citations
TL;DR: In humans, polymorphism in GST genes has been associated with susceptibility to various diseases though some recent data indicate that these genotypes modify disease phenotype, and GST genotypes alone and in combination have been linked with clinical outcome.
370 citations
TL;DR: The approaches taken, results achieved, lessons learned and important recent developments are summarized, with every prospect that the second decade will see gene therapy live up to its enormous potential.
365 citations
TL;DR: In this article, five fabrics were identified in Alpine and Irish caves on the basis of morphological and microstructural characteristics, and re-lated to growth mechanisms and growth environment.
Abstract: Five fabrics were identified in Alpine and Irish caves on the basis of morphological and microstructural characteristics, and re- lated to growth mechanisms and growth environment. Columnar and fibrous fabrics grow when speleothems are continuously wet, and from fluids at near-equilibrium conditions (low supersaturation; SIcc , 0.35), through the screw dislocation mechanism. The highly defective microcrystalline fabrics form at the same supersaturation range as co- lumnar fabric but under variable discharge and the presence of growth inhibitors. Dendritic fabrics, which have the highest density of crystal defects, develop in disequilibrium conditions (high supersaturation) un- der periodic very low-flow-regime periods that result in prolonged out- gassing. Cave calcareous tufa forms in disequilibrium conditions. Only the calcite crystals of fabrics formed at low supersaturation seem to precipitate near-isotopic-equilibrium conditions.
352 citations
TL;DR: SSRIs were effective in treating physical and behavioural symptoms and there was no significant difference in symptom reduction between continuous and intermittent dosing or between trials funded by pharmaceutical companies and those independently funded.
TL;DR: In this article, psychophysical data showed that signal detection and discrimination can be enhanced by noise in human subjects whose hearing is evoked by either normal acoustic stimulation or electric stimulation of the auditory nerve or the brainstem.
TL;DR: In this paper, an investigation of the incidence and impact of physical, verbal and property-violation bullying in 25 secondary schools within a partnership operating with Keele University is presented.
Abstract: This paper outlines an investigation of the incidence and impact of physical, verbal and property-violation bullying in 25 secondary schools within a partnership operating with Keele University. The investigation also considers the impact of antisocial behaviour on pupils and the effectiveness of intervention to secure improved behaviour patterns. Evidence shows that in any year 75 per cent of pupils are bullied but that severe and repeated bullying is likely to be perpetrated and suffered by about seven per cent of pupils. Four behaviour patterns can be identified: bullies, bullies who are also victims, victims and non-participants, and the link between behaviour and factors in developing self-esteem is explored. Successful intervention requires a change of attitude on the part of both pupils and the community, a willingness to report events, and an understanding of respect for personal space.
TL;DR: Key palaeomagnetic poles are defined as those which pass basic reliability criteria and are precisely and accurately dated They allow a more rigorous analysis of Precambrian continental drift and continental reconstructions than the traditional apparent polar wander path (APWP) approach using mostly non-key poles as mentioned in this paper.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the human V4 is more strongly activated by concentric and radial patterns than by conventional sinusoidal gratings, and concentric patterns were found to be effective in activating the fusiform face area.
TL;DR: This review aims to highlight recent developments in materials and techniques for electrochemical biosensor design and construction, raising hopes that the problems related to interactions between foreign surfaces and biological fluids and tissues may soon be solved.
TL;DR: Data show that GSTP1 polymorphism is strongly associated with asthma and related phenotypes, and provide an alternative explanation for the linkage of chromosome 11q13 with BHR and atopy.
Abstract: Most genetic studies of asthma have concentrated on genes on chromosomes 11q and 5q and their association with the key asthma-related phenotypes of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and atopy. Although asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, a critical component of which is oxidative stress, few data exist on genes involved in protecting against this insult. We describe an association study designed to examine whether allelic variation at the glutathione-S-transferase GSTP1 locus influences expression of the BHR and atopy phenotypes in asthma. The enzyme encoded by GSTP1 utilizes a variety of lipid and DNA products of oxidative stress, and polymorphic variants of this gene are associated with altered catalytic function of this enzyme. We found that the frequency of GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) was significantly lower in asthmatic than in control subjects. Indeed, the presence of this genotype conferred a sixfold lower risk of asthma than did GSTP1 Ile(105)/Ile(105). Remarkably, asthma risk in Val(105) homozygotes was further reduced (by ninefold) after correction for atopic indices, age, and gender. Trend analysis after stratification according to the degree of bronchial reactivity/obstruction showed that the frequency of GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) correlates with decreasing severity of airway dysfunction. Furthermore, subjects with GSTP1 Val(105)/Val(105) have four- and 10-fold lower risks, respectively, of exhibiting atopy defined by skin test positivity and IgE level. These data show that GSTP1 polymorphism is strongly associated with asthma and related phenotypes, and provide an alternative explanation for the linkage of chromosome 11q13 with BHR and atopy.
TL;DR: The results confirmed the hypotheses that adolescents whose peer relationships are characterized by bullying are at risk in their development of healthy romantic relationships.
Abstract: In this study, 196 young adolescents who reported that they bullied their peers were identified out of a sample of 1,758 students in Grades 5 through 8. After selecting from the total sample a grou...
TL;DR: The evidence produced by this systematic review does not support the use of high dose methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury to improve neurological recovery and a deleterious effect on early mortality and morbidity cannot be excluded.
Abstract: Study design: Systematic literature review for primary data using predefined inclusion, exclusion and validity criteria. Primary outcome measure was standardised neurological examination or neurological function. Secondary outcomes; acute mortality, early morbidity. Objectives: To access the literature available to clinicians systematically and evaluate the evidence for an effect of high dose methylprednisolone (MPSS) on neurological improvement following acute spinal cord injury (ACSI). Methods: Information retrieval was based on Medline search (1966 through December 1999) using the strategy `spinal cord injury' and `methylprednisolone' (or `dexamethasone') with no other restrictions. Primary data publications using high dose steroids given within 12 h following spinal cord injury and reporting outcome measures separately for steroid and non-steroid treated groups were selected. Evaluation followed the guides of Guyatt et al (for the Evidence Based Working Group in Canada). Studies with questionable validity were excluded. Level of evidence and treatment recommendation utilised the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination criteria. Experimental spinal cord injury studies on larger animals were included; small mammal experiments were considered beyond evaluation. Results: Three clinical trials and six cohort study publications were found to satisfy the review criteria. The evidence they provide supports `the recommendation that the manoeuvre (high dose methylpredisolone) be excluded from consideration as an intervention for the condition' (acute spinal cord injury). Twelve larger animal publications were detailed. Validity and the functional significance of results was of concern in many. The weight of evidence lay with those studies demonstrating no definite effect of MPSS on functional outcome. In cat experiments with higher level cord damage, deaths in the MPSS treated groups were notable. Conclusion: The evidence produced by this systematic review does not support the use of high dose methylprednisolone in acute spinal cord injury to improve neurological recovery. A deleterious effect on early mortality and morbidity cannot be excluded by this evidence. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 273–286.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the development of a new regime in a major bank where total quality management (TQM) has recently been introduced and explore the impact of TQM on the bank's performance.
Abstract: In this paper we explore the development of a new regime in a major bank where total quality management (TQM) has recently been introduced. A number of recent critics have suggested that TQM all bu...
TL;DR: Duration of immunosuppression, older age at transplantation, presence of AK, male sex, and outdoor occupation were significantly associated with both SCC and BCC; SCC alone was associated with a history of having smoked tobacco.
TL;DR: In this article, a study of the use of such techniques in the highly fragmented oak savannas of southern Ontario was presented, including selection of indicator taxa, use of rapid biodiversity assessment based on morphospecies, and analysis of community structure.
Abstract: To prioritize areas for conservation, biologists and managers need information on species diversity in threatened habitats. The resources available for such inventories remain severely limited, increasing the need to develop speedier ways to estimate the status of target habitats. We present a study of the use of such techniques in the highly fragmented oak savannas of southern Ontario, including selection of indicator taxa, use of rapid biodiversity assessment based on morphospecies, and analysis of community structure. We found that butterflies and skippers can be used to predict richness among Hymenoptera in the study sites, which is consistent with the hypothesis that these easily surveyed Lepidoptera are good candidates for indicator status. Richness values for hymenoptera morphospecies in these savanna remnants were strongly correlated with species richness scores as estimated by systematists, although nonspecialists tended to “split” species into more than one morphospecies. Finally, both the Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera communities in these oak savannas exhibited a high degree of nestedness, suggesting that local extinctions, mostly undocumented, are important determinants of the richness patterns across these widely separated savanna study sites. We found no evidence of significant spatial autocorrelation, probably because of the wide separation of study sites.
Resumen: Para priorizar areas para la conservacion, los biologos y manejadores necesitan informacion sobre la diversidad de especies en habitats amenazados. La disponibilidad de recursos para llevar a cabo tales inventarios es aun muy limitada, incrementando la necesidad de desarrollar formas rapidas de estimar la situacion de los habitats que son objeto del estudio. Presentamos un estudio sobre el uso de estas tecnicas en las sabanas altamente fragmentadas de robles del sur de Ontario, incluyendo la seleccion de taxones indicadores, el uso de evaluaciones rapidas de la biodiversidad basadas en morfoespecies y un analisis de la estructura comunitaria. Encontramos que las mariposas y saltadores pueden ser usados como predictores de la riqueza entre himenopteros en los sitios de estudio, lo cual es consecuente con la hipotesis de que estos lepidopteros facilmente muestreables son buenos candidatos para ser considerados indicadores. Los valores de la riqueza de morfoespecies de himenopteros para estos remanentes de sabana estuvieron fuertemente correlacionados con datos de riqueza de especies estimados por sistematistas, a pesar de que los sistematistas tienden a “dividir” especies en mas de una morfoespecie. Finalmente, tanto las comunidades de himenopteros como de lepidopteros de estas sabanas de robles exhibieron un nivel alto de anidamiento, sugiriendo que las extinciones locales, mayormente no documentadas, son determinantes importantes de los patrones de riqueza a lo largo de estos sitios de estudio de sabana ampliamente separados. No encontramos evidencia de una autocorrelacion espacial significativa, probablemente debido a la amplia separacion entre sitios de estudio.
TL;DR: In this paper, stalagmite drip-waters in the Grotte de Villars, Dordogne, have been monitored from early 1997 to early 1998, for variations in discharge, major inorganic species and dissolved luminescent organic matter.
Abstract: . Five stalagmite drip-waters in the Grotte de Villars, Dordogne, have been monitored from early 1997 to early 1998, for variations in discharge, major inorganic species and dissolved luminescent organic matter. When compared to surface precipitation, each drip-water has a subtly different response, both in terms of discharge variability and lag time between surface precipitation and drip rate response. Calculated water excess is shown to be important in determining drip-water discharge; during periods of soil moisture deficit, drip-waters either show no response to surface precipitation, or in the case of one sample station, respond only to high intensity and/or high quantity precipitation events. All drip-waters have a large storage component to their flow. Four sample stations have a similar hydrochemical and luminescence response, although the precise timing and magnitude of the responses may vary between drip sources that are Drip-water conductivity reflects Ca-HCO3 variations and falls during late summer to autumn, which is inferred to result from increased calcite precipitation above the cave with enhanced degassing related to progressive drying of the aquifer. Drip-water magnesium (following removal of the marine aerosol component) is just above detection limits and does not show strong seasonal variations. Variations in solution Pco2 occur, with a particularly strong increase in early 1997. The various chemical trends are observed at a number of different sites despite a pronounced variation between them in terms of total Ca-HCO3 mineralisation and Pco2. One sampling station of the five investigated had a different response to surface precipitation; drip discharge was more variable, with evidence of non-linear responses, and luminescence intensity exhibited a dilution response to drip rate. For this site, flow switching occurred at times of high rainfall, with a rapid discharge response less than 24 hours after rainfall. Luminescence intensity, inorganic chemistry, and discharge characteristics at the site are compared with results published from other cave systems; significant inter-site variability depends on the geology, depth of sample sites and extent of karstification. This suggests that the interpretation of stalagmite luminescence, and variations in Sr, Ca and Mg must be considered on a site by site basis. Keywords: stalagmite; dripwaters; luminescence; discharge; major ion chemistry
TL;DR: Examination of the relationship between adult attachment style and posttraumatic stress symptomatology in a volunteer sample of adults who reported the experience of childhood abuse indicated that those who displayed fearful and preoccupied attachment styles had the highest mean scores on posttraumatic symptoms.
Abstract: This study examines the relationship between adult attachment style and posttraumatic stress symptomatology in a volunteer sample of adults who reported the experience of childhood abuse Sixty-six individuals completed measures of abuse history, attachment style, and posttraumatic stress symptomatology Results indicated that 76% of participants endorsed one of the three insecure attachment styles (dismissing, fearful, or preoccupied) Analyses of variances revealed that those who displayed fearful and preoccupied attachment styles, which represent a negative view of the self, had the highest mean scores on posttraumatic symptoms Correlational analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between negative view of self and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, but not between negative view of other and posttraumatic stress symptomatology Regression analyses indicated that having a negative view of self was most highly associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms, followed by a history of physical abuse The regression analysis further indicated that negative view of other was unrelated to posttraumatic stress symptoms
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined a dynamic model of mutual insurance when households can also engage in self-insurance by storage and showed that consumption allocations satisfy a modified Euler condition and that an enhanced storage technology can either improve or diminish welfare.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the quantitative and qualitative criteria in the measurement of performance in small firms and found that owners of small firms used a variety of measures and indicators to assess business performance.
Abstract: Concern has been expressed, over the years, about the financial management strategies adopted by small firms, but very little is known about these practices. Business performance measures are an important element of these financial management strategies. The paper discusses the findings from research carried out in the UK examining the quantitative and qualitative criteria in the measurement of performance in small firms. Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with 20 owner‐managers from both manufacturing and service sectors. Orthodox theory assumes that the objective of the firm is to maximise profits, and it follows that the performance measures advocated are largely based upon this theory. However, research has shown that small firms pursue a range of goals. It was, therefore, not surprising to find that owner‐managers of small firms used a variety of measures and indicators to assess business performance. Profit measures were found to be less important than conventional views suggest. In particular, cash flow indicators were considered to be critical. Other performance measures adopted by owner‐managers include the quality of inputs and outputs and intangible indicators.
TL;DR: Replacing existing programmes with systematic screening for diabetic eye disease is justified and absolute values of cost effectiveness were highly sensitive to varying prevalence, sensitivity and specificity, compliance, and programme size.
Abstract: Objective: To measure the cost effectiveness of systematic photographic screening for sight threatening diabetic eye disease compared with existing practice. Design: Cost effectiveness analysis Setting: Liverpool. Subjects: A target population of 5000 diabetic patients invited for screening. Main outcome measures: Cost effectiveness (cost per true positive) of systematic and opportunistic programmes; incremental cost effectiveness of replacing opportunistic with systematic screening. Results: Baseline prevalence of sight threatening eye disease was 14.1%. The cost effectiveness of the systematic programme was £209 (sensitivity 89%, specificity 86%, compliance 80%, annual cost £104 996) and of the opportunistic programme was £289 (combined sensitivity 63%, specificity 92%, compliance 78%, annual cost £99 981). The incremental cost effectiveness of completely replacing the opportunistic programme was £32. Absolute values of cost effectiveness were highly sensitive to varying prevalence, sensitivity and specificity, compliance, and programme size. Conclusion: Replacing existing programmes with systematic screening for diabetic eye disease is justified.
TL;DR: This work describes software components as units of independent production, acquisition, and deployment that interact to form a functional system that software developers must address for component-based systems (CBS) to achieve their full potential.
Abstract: Developing and using various component forms as building blocks can significantly enhance software-based system development and use, which is why both the academic and commercial sectors have shown interest in component-based software development. Indeed, much effort has been devoted to defining and describing the terms and concepts involved. Briefly, we describe software components as units of independent production, acquisition, and deployment that interact to form a functional system. We identify a set of issues organized within an overall framework that software developers must address for component-based systems (CBS) to achieve their full potential.
TL;DR: A novel method for the structural optimization of molecular systems that involves an evolving population in which new members are formed by cutting and pasting operations on existing members is described.
Abstract: We describe a novel method for the structural optimization of molecular systems. Similar to genetic algorithms (GA), our approach involves an evolving population in which new members are formed by cutting and pasting operations on existing members. Unlike previous GA’s, however, the population in each generation has a single parent only. This scheme has been used to optimize Si clusters with 13 – 23 atoms. We have found a number of new isomers that are lower in energy than any previously reported and have properties in much better agreement with experimental data.
TL;DR: It is proposed that these GLAST‐positive cells play a glia‐like role in the uptake of glutamate following its release at synapses within the taste bud although the precise location of the latter remains uncertain.
Abstract: A number of putative neurotransmitter substances have been found in vertebrate taste buds. Amongst these glutamate has been localized in fibres innervating the buds and uptake of glutamate has been shown to occur into receptor cells. It is therefore possible that, in common with other sensory systems, glutamate is a neurotransmitter in taste buds. In the inner ear and retina of mammals, the membranes of supporting cells have been shown to contain the glial glutamate transporter GLAST. In the brain, this protein is involved in glutamate re-uptake into glial cells where the glutamate is converted into glutamine for recycling into glutamatergic terminals. In this study, the presence of GLAST has been investigated in taste buds in the rat vallate papilla and its distribution compared with that of glutamine to determine whether there are cells in this system that play a glia-like role in glutamate handling. Immunofluorescent labelling showed that a subset of cells in the taste bud contains GLAST. Immunogold labelling indicated that it occurs in the plasma membranes of supporting cells, especially on the fine cytoplasmic processes of dark cells towards the basal region of the bud. A protein of molecular mass similar to that of cerebellar GLAST was detected in immunoblots of excised papillae. Double labelling and semiquantitative analysis of glutamine and GLAST immunoreactivity showed that the GLAST-positive cells have a higher level of cytoplasmic glutamine than the adjacent cells. It is proposed that these GLAST-positive cells play a glia-like role in the uptake of glutamate following its release at synapses within the taste bud although the precise location of the latter remains uncertain. The GLAST-positive cells may also be involved in its subsequent conversion to glutamine in a glutamate/glutamine cycle similar to that described in the brain.