Showing papers by "University of Bedfordshire published in 1997"
TL;DR: The MORECS system as discussed by the authors provides estimates of evaporation, soil moisture deficit and effective precipitation under British climatic conditions under British meteorological conditions, and it has been revised as version 2.0.
Abstract: . The operational system known as MORECS which provides estimates of evaporation, soil moisture deficit and effective precipitation under British climatic conditions has been revised as version 2.0. An overview of the new system is described with emphasis on the new additions. The major changes from the older version (Thomson, Barrie and Ayles, 1981) include the introduction of the crop oil-seed rape, a revised treatment of soils and available water capacity and a land use data base which is representative of the 1990s.
228 citations
TL;DR: The thermal inactivation of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 and Escherichia coli O157:H7 as affected by temperature, pH and NaCl concentration and the D-value models were incorporated into Version 1, and subsequent versions, of the predictive microbiology software program, Food MicroModel.
159 citations
TL;DR: Investigating patterns of AS use and perceived side-effects in a wide-ranging group of AS users (n = 110), who were recruited through social networks, found polydrug use was common and dosage taken exceeded therapeutic recommendations.
Abstract: A growing number of reports of anabolic-androgenic streroid (AS) use in Great Britain (GB) among non-competitive groups have emerged since the beginning of 1990s. A study was commissioned by the Departments of Health for England, Scotland and Wales, to explore the extent and uses of AS from the public health point of view. As a part of a wider investigation into AS use, 21 gymnasia in England, Scotland and Wales were surveyed by questionnaire. The response rate was 59%. We found that of the 1667 participants, 9.1% of the men and 2.3% of the women had taken AS at some time and 6% of the men and 1.4% of the women were current users. Considerable variation in the prevalence of use was found, ranging from no reports in three of the gymnasia, up to 46%. We also investigated patterns of AS use and perceived side-effects in a wide-ranging group of AS users (n = 110), who were recruited through social networks. In-depth interviews with the users revealed that the 97 men (27+/-7 years) and 13 women (25+/-5 years) had been using AS regularly for 2.05+/-1.7 years and 1.9+/-2 years, respectively. Seventy-two injected AS. While most injected themselves, 25% were mainly injected by their friend. Up to 16 different drugs were taken by interviewees during the present or last cycle. Polydrug use was common and dosage taken exceeded therapeutic recommendations. Sixteen interviewees did not report side-effects, while the majority reported two or more. Many of these were cosmetic. Of the 97 men interviewed, 56% reported testicular atrophy, 52% gynaecomastia, 36% elevated blood pressure, 56% fluid retention, 26% injuries to tendons, 22% nosebleeds and 16% more frequent colds. Six men reported problems with kidney function and five with liver function. Problems with sleep were reported by 37%. Of the 13 women interviewed, eight reported menstrual irregularities, eight fluid retention, four clitoral enlargement, three decreased breast size and two elevated blood pressure. Four reported sleeplessness.
149 citations
Patent•
04 Jun 1997TL;DR: In this article, a method of forming a three-dimensional feature on a surface using the technique of drop ejection to deposit droplets of deposition material is described, which comprises depositing a plurality of droplets on the surface to form a feature comprising multiple discrete portions, adjoining portions being formed from different deposition material.
Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional feature on a surface using the technique of drop ejection to deposit droplets of deposition material. The method comprises depositing a plurality of droplets on the surface to form a feature comprising multiple discrete portions, adjoining portions being formed from different deposition material. Examples of such a feature include a Braille character and a multi-layer optical device.
145 citations
TL;DR: Divergent cytokine secretion profiles characterize immune responses to different classes of chemical allergen and suggest that it may be possible, in a single integrated assay, to identify and classify chemical allergens as a function of induced cytokine production patterns.
Abstract: Characteristic cytokine secretion profiles, consistent with the selective activation of discrete functional subpopulations of T helper (Th) cells, have been demonstrated following repeated topical exposure of mice to chemical contact or respiratory allergens. Draining lymph node cells (LNC) derived from animals treated with the respiratory allergen trimellitic anhydride (TMA; 10%) expressed high levels of the Th2 cytokines interleukins 4 and 10, but little of the Th1 cell product interferon gamma. Under conditions of exposure of equivalent immunogenicity with respect to LNC proliferation, the contact allergen 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) provoked the converse pattern of cytokine secretion. The purpose of the present investigations was to examine dose-response relationships with respect to cytokine production with a wider range of chemical allergens. In each case, cytokine secretion patterns were compared with those observed with LNC prepared from animals exposed concurrently to TMA or DNCB. Despite some inter-experimental variation in the absolute amounts of cytokines produced, DNCB- and TMA-activated LNC invariably expressed Th1- and Th2-type patterns, respectively. At all concentrations tested, the contact allergens isoeugenol and formaldehyde stimulated a Th1-type cytokine secretion profile, whereas a Th2-type pattern was induced following exposure to the chemical respiratory allergens cyanuric chloride and diphenylmethane diisocyanate. These data demonstrate that divergent cytokine secretion profiles characterize immune responses to different classes of chemical allergen and suggest that it may be possible, in a single integrated assay, to identify and classify chemical allergens as a function of induced cytokine production patterns.
80 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that an initial insult to the corium primarily affects the laminar region and that corium damage increases with the resulting alteration in the physical forces on the sole.
Abstract: Summary The development of claw haemorrhages was monitored in first-calving dairy heifers from 4-weeks beforecalving to 32 weeks after calving. Before calving, lesions were few but the number, extent and severity of claw haemorrhages increased following simultaneous calving and housing. Lesions were most severe in the white line at 9 weeks, and in the sole at 14 weeks, but recovery began while the animals were still housed. That the increase in white line lesions after calving, and the subsequent recovery preceded that of the sole, suggests that the pathogenesis of the lesions may differ in these two anatomical regions. It is proposed that all initial insult to the corium primarily affects the laminar region and that corium damage increases with the resulting alteration in the physical forces on the sole.
78 citations
TL;DR: The technique was used on seven sequences and worked well in most cases, however, it is possible to lose lock, as happened in one sequence, and the method currently reported cannot restart tracking.
74 citations
TL;DR: Flow cytometry in combination with fluorescent molecular markers 5‐ (and 6‐)carboxyfluorescein succinimidylester and propidium iodide and double‐labelling with CFSE and PI provided additional information about damage levels and distributions within populations.
Abstract: Flow cytometry in combination with fluorescent molecular markers 5- (and 6-) carboxyfluorescein succinimidylester (CFSE) and propidium iodide (PI) have been applied to determine lag times, numbers of cell divisions and injury after mild heat (50 degrees C, 5 min) and nisin treatments (0.1 and 1.0 microgram ml-1) of Lactobacillus plantarum. Initial labelling with covalently bound dye CFSE (20 and 100 micrograms ml-1) allowed determination of lag times and cell proliferation for up to eight generations. Double-labelling with CFSE and PI (5 micrograms ml-1) provided additional information about damage levels and distributions within populations. Subpopulations surviving treatment could be identified easily and selectively sorted.
73 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a systematised approach to the use of reflective writing that provides students with a tool to enhance both their thinking and motivation to learn by encouraging students to think more deeply and teachers to listen more effectively by using reflective journals.
Abstract: This article is about encouraging students to think more deeply and teachers to listen more effectively by using reflective journals. Work done over the past 4 years is reported on the use of reflective journals. Their use is developed over the three undergraduate years in a series of numeracy and problem‐solving classes. In this way students have become better at putting their thoughts into words and later to reflect upon them. What has emerged is a systematised approach to the use of reflective writing that provides students with a tool to enhance both their thinking and motivation to learn. It has provided feedback of students' successes, frustrations and concerns that is not a superficial reaction to someone else's questions. Thus informed, I have been able to develop a series of classes with clear directions about students' considered needs.
52 citations
TL;DR: A rapid method is described for the analysis of Cannabis products by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectroscopic (APCI-MS) detection, which had a shorter analysis time than GC-MS methods, without the need for derivatization prior to analysis.
49 citations
TL;DR: It was found that the ability of these chemicals to provoke responses in the LLNA correlated closely with their reported protein reactivity, and it was proposed that dinitrohalobenzenes conform to the electrophilic theory of skin sensitization and that they should be regarded as direct acting haptens.
Abstract: The dinitrohalobenzenes are known to cause skin sensitization and have been used in many seminal investigations of the relationships between physicochemical characteristics and sensitizing potential. The electrophilic theory of skin sensitization implies that contact allergic potential should correlate positively with ability of chemicals to react with proteins to form immunogenic hapten-protein conjugates. It is intriguing, therefore, that previous studies in guinea pigs and mice have suggested that such correlations do not apply to dinitrohalobenzenes. To address this, we have examined, using the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA), the sensitizing activity of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), 2,4-dinitrobromo-benzene (DNBB) and 2,4-dinitroiodobenzene (DNIB). In contrast to previous investigations, it was found that the ability of these chemicals to provoke responses in the LLNA correlated closely with their reported protein reactivity. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that dinitrohalobenzenes conform to the electrophilic theory of skin sensitization and that they should be regarded as direct acting haptens.
TL;DR: First-pass metabolism of phenoxyethanol to phenoxyacetic acid was not detected during percutaneous penetration through viable rat skin in the flow-through system and does not have an influence on systemic availability of dermally absorbed phenxyethanol.
TL;DR: The use of subgraph matching techniques through maximal clique detection provides a method to cope with partial occlusion and missing features between frames, and a hierarchical approach is proposed.
TL;DR: It would appear that the stimulation of IgG and IgG1 antibody responses is a reflection of protein immunogenicity whereas protein allergenicity is associated with the induction of strong IgE responses.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present findings from a study of the attitudes and beliefs of social security claimants engaged in benefit fraud, and a taxonomy of such claimants is outlined, drawing upon concepts of reflexivity and anxiety.
Abstract: This article presents findings from a study of the attitudes and beliefs of social security claimants engaged in benefit fraud. The basis for a taxonomy of such claimants is outlined, drawing upon concepts of reflexivity and anxiety. This is compared and contrasted with other theoretically-drawn taxonomies, one relating to workplace crime, the other to the consumption of social care services. Finally, the article considers whether benefit fraud is intelligible as resistance to social control. It is argued that benefit fraud represents a conservative form of resistance. Benefit fraud does not signify a “culture” of resistance, so much as a “manageable” form of rule-breaking.
Patent•
08 Jan 1997TL;DR: In this article, a pivot mechanism with pivotable arms for motor car doors is presented, where the door can expose the entire door opening for stepping-in and stepping-out and the movement of the door outwards from the side of the car body is minimized.
Abstract: Pivot mechanism with pivotable arms for motor car doors and of the kind where the door can expose the entire door opening for stepping-in and stepping-out and the movement of the door outwards from the side of the car body is minimized thus that distance between door (2) and car (1) is as little as possible, whereby the mechanism has two supporting arms (3, 3'), which are each pivotally supported about hinges (6, 6') provided in the car door and each at their other end are pivotable about hinges (4, 4') provided in the car body, and where all hinges (4, 4', 6, 6') have their axes mutually in parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal mean plane of the car and under the same acute angle (α) to the horizontal, wherein the hinges (4, 4') mounted in the car body are provided on the forward door post (5) and on the same normal plane to the longitudinal mean plane of the car and which supporting arms (3, 3') are interconnected by means of a stabilizing lever (7), which is articulately mounted on the supporting arms (3, 3') with its pivot points situated along an imagined line parallel to the theoretical connecting lines between the hinges (4, 4' and 6, 6') on the different arms, and which therefore provides a forced guiding between the two supporting arms (3, 3').
TL;DR: Data indicate that not all chemicals that have the ability to cause skin irritation and cutaneous inflammation will elicit detectable TNF-alpha responses and that characterization of cutaneous irritants and allergens on the basis of induced cytokine expression patterns in the skin must be approached with caution.
TL;DR: Strategies for NMR-based rheometry are discussed with particular attention given to ease of implementation, robustness, and measurement speed, and three methods based on the pulsed-field-gradient technique are compared experimentally.
TL;DR: In this article, an analytical model describing the elastic response of a system of coaxial thick-walled cylinders in contact is presented, where the materials from which the cylinders are constructed must exhibit orthotropic elasticity.
Abstract: An analytical model describing the elastic response of a system of coaxial thick-walled cylinders in contact is presented. The materials from which the cylinders are constructed must exhibit orthotropic elasticity. The loading can be uniaxial tension, torsion or internal pressure. The model allows inter- and intralaminar stresses to be determined. Examples of applications include pipes and light weight drive shafts reinforced with a helical winding, composite pressure vessels and single cells from fibrous plants such as flax and hemp.
TL;DR: In this paper, the influence of a range of polysaccharides (galactomannans) had on ice recrystallization was determined, and the concentration dependence of the inhibition occurring with locust bean and guar gums was determined.
Abstract: The influence that a range of polysaccharides (galactomannans) had on ice recrystallization was determined. The concentration dependence of the recrystallization inhibition occurring with locust bean and guar gums was determined. The degree of galactose substitution in a range of enzyme modified guars was dominant in the effect of a galactomannan to inhibit recrystallization. The fine structure of the substituents were less important. Where the galactose content of comparable polysaccharides was similar the fine structure became dominant. The influence of sugar size on recrystallization was also investigated. Increasing molecular weight resulted in reduced recrystallization rates. The observed rates appeared to follow Williams-Landell-Ferry kinetics.
TL;DR: In this article, an image analysis algorithm was developed for making measurements relevant to the winter pruning of long wood grape vines, and were tested on 60 images, using a powerful flash which eliminated the effects of the ambient daylight.
Patent•
16 Oct 1997TL;DR: A pressure control system for controlling pressure in a fluid system comprising a compressor (10) for producing pressurised fluid coupled to a rotor valve (12) and pressure controller (50, 52, 54) is described in this paper.
Abstract: A pressure control system for controlling pressure in a fluid system comprising a compressor (10) for producing pressurised fluid coupled to a rotor valve (12) and pressure controller (50, 52, 54). A manifold (100) supporting at least the valve and pressure controller has integral passages (114, 118 etc.) within to provide fluid connection from the compressor to the valve and pressure controller for controlled fluid pressure to the system.
TL;DR: A randomized single-blind controlled study to determine whether auricular electroacupuncture reduces craving for alcohol found any major advantage in treating auricular acupuncture points regraded as specific for addiction.
TL;DR: There is inequity of dental health and dental service use with more disadvantage being experienced by Travellers on unauthorized and transit sites and there are no cultural barriers to dental care.
Abstract: Objective: To explore Gypsy Travellers' perceptions of dental health and dental service use within the context of culture, environment and the use of other services. Setting: The author was a community dental officer and the study formed part of a MSc dissertation in dental public health. Subjects and Methods: Information was obtained from semi-structured interviews with 43 Gypsy Travellers supplemented by a questionnaire and clinical screening of 72 Travellers. Main Outcome Measures: Place of residence, registration with GMP and GDP, school attendance, caries, normative and perceived barriers to care. Results: The Travellers in the study had a high level of unmet need, low dental registration and very little use of preventive services. Travellers have no cultural barriers to dental care. Control of their travelling was the major factor determining access to education and health services. Conclusions: There is inequity of dental health and dental service use with more disadvantage being experienced by Travellers on unauthorized and transit sites
TL;DR: Comparison of full scale experimental and CFD model results concerning the air flow with and without heat load in the load space of one particular vehicle shows that CFD modelling can predict the mean ventilation flows successfully, but experimental turbulence levels are not reproduced.
TL;DR: In this article, a protocol for the evaluation of chemicals on the growth rate of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) over a 28-day period has been evaluated by comparison of the test results obtained by 15 laboratories from seven countries in the European Union.
Abstract: A protocol for the evaluation of chemicals on the growth rate of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) over a 28-day period has been evaluated by comparison of the test results obtained by 15 laboratories from seven countries in the European Union. Two test substances were used, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). Fourteen test results were received for DCA and seven for LAS. The data were analyzed in two ways: the evaluation of the lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs), and regression analysis to estimate the concentration of the substance causing a 25% reduction in growth relative to the controls (EC25). The latter method clearly provided a number of advantages over estimation of LOECs. These included less dependence of the result upon the spacing between exposure concentrations and upon the arbitrary choice of level of statistical significance. In addition it was possible to estimate an EC25 for more data sets than was possible for LOEC estimation. The sensitivity of the test was comparable with other chronic tests (Daphnia juvenile production and fathead minnow early life stage tests) for DCA and LAS. For DCA the overall mean EC25 was 223 μg/L the EC25s found by individual laboratories ranged from 100 to 390 μg/L. For LAS the EC25 ranged from 1,220 to 2,810 μg/L.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that manipulation of assay conditions may modulate the proliferative response of a particular MCF-7 cell strain to 17beta-oestradiol, and this increase in responsiveness of the cells may increase the sensitivity of this strain of MCf-7 cells for the detection of oestrogenic chemicals.
TL;DR: In this paper, the adoption of SLAs can provide a significant contribution to an organization's pursuit of TQM goals by placing emphasis on closer communication between customer and supplier and providing objective measures of actual performance against targets.
Abstract: Service level agreements (SLAs) are informal contracts agreed between supplier and user of a service. Defines the performance required of the service and puts in place measurement mechanisms whereby actual performance against targets can be monitored. Through placing emphasis on closer communication between customer and supplier and providing objective measures of actual performance against targets, the adoption of SLAs can provide a significant contribution to an organization’s pursuit of TQM goals. Outlines the SLA process and illustrates benefits which accrue through the adoption of SLAs.