Showing papers by "University of Bedfordshire published in 2009"
TL;DR: In this article a coverage and interference analysis based on a realistic OFDMA macro/femtocell scenario is provided, as well as some guidelines on how the spectrum allocation and interference mitigation problems can be approached in these networks.
Abstract: OFDMA femtocells have been pointed out by the industry as a good solution not only to overcome the indoor coverage problem but also to deal with the growth of traffic within macrocells. However, the deployment of a new femtocell layer may have an undesired impact on the performance of the macrocell layer. The allocation of spectrum resources and the avoidance of electromagnetic interference are some of the more urgent challenges that operators face before femtocells become widely deployed. In this article a coverage and interference analysis based on a realistic OFDMA macro/femtocell scenario is provided, as well as some guidelines on how the spectrum allocation and interference mitigation problems can be approached in these networks. Special attention is paid to the use of self-configuration and self-optimization techniques for the avoidance of interference.
892 citations
University of California, Santa Cruz1, National Institutes of Health2, Broad Institute3, University of Los Andes4, University of Guelph5, University of Nottingham6, University of California, Berkeley7, Pennsylvania State University8, Royal Ontario Museum9, Texas A&M University10, Louisiana State University11, Agency for Science, Technology and Research12, University of Kansas13, University of Montana14, American Museum of Natural History15, Oregon State University16, Villanova University17, University of Porto18, Smithsonian Institution19, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation20, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology21, University of Sheffield22, Harvard University23, Swedish Museum of Natural History24, University of Copenhagen25, Novosibirsk State University26, Australian National University27, Max Planck Society28, Field Museum of Natural History29, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation30, Science Applications International Corporation31, Stanford University32, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign33, George Washington University34, Global Viral35, University of Bedfordshire36, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro37, University of California, Davis38, University of California, Riverside39, Museum Victoria40, University College Dublin41, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute42, Washington University in St. Louis43, University of California, Los Angeles44, Kunming Institute of Zoology45
TL;DR: A precipitous drop in costs and increase in sequencing efficiency is anticipated, with concomitant development of improved annotation technology, and it is proposed to create a collection of tissue and DNA specimens for 10,000 vertebrate species specifically designated for whole-genome sequencing in the very near future.
Abstract: American Genetic Association, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, NHGRI Intramural Sequencing Center, and UCSC Alumni Association to cost of the Genome 10K workshop; Howard Hughes Medical Institute to D. H.; Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to S. C. S.; A
545 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the main quantifiable impact pathways linking freshwater use to the available supply are identified, leading to definition of the flows requiring quantification in the life cycle inventory (LCI).
Abstract: Freshwater is a basic resource for humans; however, its link to human health is seldom related to lack of physical access to sufficient freshwater, but rather to poor distribution and access to safe water supplies. On the other hand, freshwater availability for aquatic ecosystems is often reduced due to competition with human uses, potentially leading to impacts on ecosystem quality. This paper summarises how this specific resource use can be dealt with in life cycle analysis (LCA). The main quantifiable impact pathways linking freshwater use to the available supply are identified, leading to definition of the flows requiring quantification in the life cycle inventory (LCI). The LCI needs to distinguish between and quantify evaporative and non-evaporative uses of ‘blue’ and ‘green’ water, along with land use changes leading to changes in the availability of freshwater. Suitable indicators are suggested for the two main impact pathways [namely freshwater ecosystem impact (FEI) and freshwater depletion (FD)], and operational characterisation factors are provided for a range of countries and situations. For FEI, indicators relating current freshwater use to the available freshwater resources (with and without specific consideration of water ecosystem requirements) are suggested. For FD, the parameters required for evaluation of the commonly used abiotic depletion potentials are explored. An important value judgement when dealing with water use impacts is the omission or consideration of non-evaporative uses of water as impacting ecosystems. We suggest considering only evaporative uses as a default procedure, although more precautionary approaches (e.g. an ‘Egalitarian’ approach) may also include non-evaporative uses. Variation in seasonal river flows is not captured in the approach suggested for FEI, even though abstractions during droughts may have dramatic consequences for ecosystems; this has been considered beyond the scope of LCA. The approach suggested here improves the representation of impacts associated with freshwater use in LCA. The information required by the approach is generally available to LCA practitioners The widespread use of the approach suggested here will require some development (and consensus) by LCI database developers. Linking the suggested midpoint indicators for FEI to a damage approach will require further analysis of the relationship between FEI indicators and ecosystem health.
339 citations
TL;DR: HRV measures obtained with the Polar S810 and accompanying software have no appreciable bias or additional random error in comparison with criterion measures, but the measures are inherently unreliable over a 1-wk interval.
Abstract: Purpose: To assess the validity and the reliability of short-term resting heart-rate variability (HRV) measures obtained using the Polar S810 heart-rate monitor and accompanying software. Methods: Measures of HRV were obtained from 5-min R to R wave (RR) interval data for 19 males and 14 females during 10 min of quiet rest on three separate occasions at 1-wk intervals using the Polar S8.10. Criterion measures of HRV were obtained simultaneously using the CardioPerfect (CP; Medical Graphics Corporation, St Paul, MN) 12-lead ECG module. Measures of validity of the Polar S810 were estimated by regression analysis, and measures of reliability of both. devices were estimated by analysis of change scores. Measures of the SD of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and the low-frequency (LF) and the high-frequency (HF) spectral power and their ratio (LF/HF) were analyzed after log transformation, whereas mean RR and LF and HF in normalized units were analyzed without transformation. Results: There were marginal differences between the Polar and the CP mean measures of HRV, and the uncertainty in the differences was small. The Polar S810 demonstrated high correlations (0.85-0.99) with CP for all measures of HRV indicating good to near-perfect validity. Except for the low- and the high-frequency normalized units, Polar S810 did not add any substantial technical error to the within-subject variability in the repeated measurements of HRV. Conclusion: HRV measures obtained with the Polar S810 and accompanying software have no appreciable bias or additional random error in comparison with criterion measures, but the measures are inherently unreliable over a 1-wk interval. Reliability of HRV from longer (e.g., 10 min) and/or consecutive 5-min RR recordings needs to be investigated with the Polar and criterion instruments. Copyright © 2008 by the American College of Sports Medicine.
288 citations
TL;DR: Measurements of the infrared Amide I' absorption band for BSA gels of varying clarity and texture have shown that the very considerable variations in network structure underlying these materials are not reflected in obvious differences in secondary structure.
Abstract: Infrared and laser-Raman spectroscopy have been used to follow secondary structure changes during the heat-set gelation of a number of aqueous (D2O) globular protein solutions. Measurements of the infrared Amide I' absorption band around 1650 cm-1, for BSA gels of varying clarity and texture, have shown that the very considerable variations in network structure underlying these materials are not reflected in obvious differences in secondary structure. In all cases aggregation is accompanied by development of beta-sheet of a kind common in fibrous protein systems, but for BSA at least this does not appear to vary significantly in amount from one gel type to another. Infrared studies of gels formed from other protein systems have confirmed this tendency for beta-sheet to develop during aggregation, and the tendency is further substantiated by laser-Raman evidence which provides the extra information that in most of the examples studied alpha-helix content simultaneously falls. From these, and other observations, some generalisations are made about the thermally-induced sol-to-gel transformations of globular proteins.
278 citations
TL;DR: Numerical results show that the proposed PF scheduler provides a superior fairness performance with a modest loss in throughput, as long as the user average SINRs are fairly uniform.
Abstract: The challenge of scheduling user transmissions on the downlink of a long term evolution (LTE) cellular communication system is addressed. A maximum rate algorithm which does not consider fairness among users was proposed in . Here, a multiuser scheduler with proportional fairness (PF) is proposed. Numerical results show that the proposed PF scheduler provides a superior fairness performance with a modest loss in throughput, as long as the user average SINRs are fairly uniform. A suboptimal PF scheduler is also proposed, which has a much lower complexity at the cost of some throughput degradation.
270 citations
TL;DR: Increased insulin secretion precedes the development of peripheral insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and obesity in response to overfeeding, suggesting a role for insulin per se as well GIP, in the developmentof peripheral insulin Resistance and obesity.
Abstract: A high-fat, high-calorie diet is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, the relative contribution of metabolic defects to the development of hyperglycaemia and type 2 diabetes is controversial. Accumulation of excess fat in muscle and adipose tissue in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes may be linked with defective mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The aim of the current study was to investigate acute effects of short-term fat overfeeding on glucose and insulin metabolism in young men. We studied the effects of 5 days’ high-fat (60% energy) overfeeding (+50%) versus a control diet on hepatic and peripheral insulin action by a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp, muscle mitochondrial function by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gene expression by qrt-PCR and microarray in 26 young men. Hepatic glucose production and fasting glucose levels increased significantly in response to overfeeding. However, peripheral insulin action, muscle mitochondrial function, and general and specific oxidative phosphorylation gene expression were unaffected by high-fat feeding. Insulin secretion increased appropriately to compensate for hepatic, and not for peripheral, insulin resistance. High-fat feeding increased fasting levels of plasma adiponectin, leptin and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP). High-fat overfeeding increases fasting glucose levels due to increased hepatic glucose production. The increased insulin secretion may compensate for hepatic insulin resistance possibly mediated by elevated GIP secretion. Increased insulin secretion precedes the development of peripheral insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction and obesity in response to overfeeding, suggesting a role for insulin per se as well GIP, in the development of peripheral insulin resistance and obesity.
257 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that women who look young for their age have large lips, avoid sun-exposure and possess genetic factors that protect against the development of gray hair and skin wrinkles.
Abstract: The desire of many to look young for their age has led to the establishment of a large cosmetics industry. However, the features of appearance that primarily determine how old women look for their age and whether genetic or environmental factors predominately influence such features are largely unknown. We studied the facial appearance of 102 pairs of female Danish twins aged 59 to 81 as well as 162 British females aged 45 to 75. Skin wrinkling, hair graying and lip height were significantly and independently associated with how old the women looked for their age. The appearance of facial sun-damage was also found to be significantly correlated to how old women look for their age and was primarily due to its commonality with the appearance of skin wrinkles. There was also considerable variation in the perceived age data that was unaccounted for. Composite facial images created from women who looked young or old for their age indicated that the structure of subcutaneous tissue was partly responsible. Heritability analyses of the appearance features revealed that perceived age, pigmented age spots, skin wrinkles and the appearance of sun-damage were influenced more or less equally by genetic and environmental factors. Hair graying, recession of hair from the forehead and lip height were influenced mainly by genetic factors whereas environmental factors influenced hair thinning. These findings indicate that women who look young for their age have large lips, avoid sun-exposure and possess genetic factors that protect against the development of gray hair and skin wrinkles. The findings also demonstrate that perceived age is a better biomarker of skin, hair and facial aging than chronological age.
183 citations
TL;DR: In both studies, children's understanding of intergroup inclusion/exclusion norms (group nous) was predicted by theory of social mind but not multiple classification skill, and the number of groups children belonged to also predicted group nous.
Abstract: In Study 1, 167 English children aged 6–8 or 9–11 evaluated peer English or French soccer fans that were loyal or partially disloyal. In Study 2, 149 children aged 5–11 made judgments about generic inclusion norms between and within competitive groups. In both studies, children’s understanding of intergroup inclusion/exclusion norms (group nous) was predicted by theory of social mind (a social perspective taking measure) but not multiple classification skill. In Study 2, the number of groups children belonged to (an index of peer group experience) also predicted group nous. Supporting the developmental subjective group dynamics model (D. Abrams, A. Rutland, & L. Cameron, 2003), children’s experience and perspective taking help them make sense of inter- and intragroup inclusion and exclusion.
163 citations
TL;DR: Depressive symptoms are not associated with 25(OH)D concentrations in middle-aged and elderly Chinese, and the association was substantially attenuated after controlling for various confounding factors, and disappeared after including geographic location in the model.
160 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors attempted to understand the nature and activities of growth-oriented women-owned businesses in the East of England by highlighting the problems faced by women entrepreneurs during the growth process.
Abstract: Purpose - This study attempts to understand the nature and activities of growth-oriented women-owned businesses in the East of England by highlighting the problems faced by women entrepreneurs during the growth process.
Design/methodology/approach - The approach analysed the main growth factors and their influence on the adoption of different growth strategies. An online questionnaire was designed using Snap survey software™, with results exported to SPSS™ for analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected via a variety of scaled, open-ended, rank order, dichotomous, multiple choice and open questions.
Findings - The research indicates that most do not opt to develop growth-oriented businesses, choosing instead small, non-scalable, locally focused businesses providing services or operating in low-tech industries. Women who are growth-oriented appear to be inhibited due to a lack of access to, and control over such resources as, capital, business premises, information and technology, production inputs, appropriate childcare, qualifications, experience, training facilities and appropriate assistance from business development agencies. Non-effective accumulation and use of social capital hinders access to appropriate decision-making circles, and limits the probability of accessing critical management and financing resources, especially through the venture capital industry.
Practical implications - This research has implications for government or other business development agencies seeking to understand the growth patterns and problems of women-owned enterprises in the East of England.
Originality/value - There are few British studies that have focussed on growth oriented women-owned businesses. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by attempting to understand the nature and activities of such business, by analysing the main growth factors and their influence on different growth strategies.
TL;DR: Thin sections of heat-set proteins gels formed from bovine serum albumin, insulin, lysozyme, ribonuclease, and alpha-chymotrypsin, have been studied by transmission electron microscopy and micrographs suggest that the simplest interpretation of the microscope data is in terms of a "string of beads" model for the aggregation process, involving only moderately unfolded, and still globular, protein molecules.
Abstract: Thin sections of heat-set proteins gels formed from bovine serum albumin, insulin, lysozyme, ribonuclease, and alpha-chymotrypsin, have been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Micrographs have been interpreted as showing protein networks with strands between one and two times as thick as the native protein diameters. Considerable differences in the persistence characteristics, and frequencies of cross-linking, of the strands are observed, and there are variations in network homogeneity over long distances which correlate well with changes in gel opacity caused by alterations in pH and ionic strength. Evidence that artefacts are unlikely to have influenced these interpretations has been obtained in the BSA case in particular, by studying the aggregation process in solution, using alternative microscope approaches such as heavy-metal shadowing and negative staining. assuming that artefacts are absent, gel section micrographs have been simulated by a computer procedure, and the results suggest that, in most cases, the simplest interpretation of the microscope data is in terms of a "string of beads" model for the aggregation process, involving only moderately unfolded, and still globular, protein molecules. Other structural interpretations cannot be ruled out, however, as the degree of protein unfolding, and the exact mode of incorporation of the monomers into the network filaments, cannot be established by the microscope technique alone.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that the concept and construct of convenience is at the forefront of customer and user evaluation of service experiences and should play a much more pivotal role in marketing theory than it does at present.
Abstract: This theoretical paper argues that the concept and construct of convenience is at the forefront of customer and user evaluation of service experiences and should play, therefore, a much more pivotal role in marketing theory than it does at present. With increasing evidence that convenience is important to customers, it is timely to revisit the concept with a view to developing a research agenda that delivers an improved understanding of the nature of convenience. Accordingly, the paper concludes by proposing a definition of convenience and offering questions for further research based on a critique of existing models of convenience, and on the positioning of convenience in relation to associated concepts such as customer value, co-production and experiential consumption.
TL;DR: Results from implicit LES are presented for a broad range of flows and numerical schemes, ranging from the second-order monotone upstream-centered schemes for conservation laws to very high-order weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes.
Abstract: Restrictions on computing power make direct numerical simulation too expensive for complex flows; thus, the development of accurate large eddy simulation (LES) methods, which are industrially applicable and efficient, is required. This paper reviews recent findings about the leading order dissipation rate associated with high-resolution methods and improvements to the standard schemes for use in highly turbulent flows. Results from implicit LES are presented for a broad range of flows and numerical schemes, ranging from the second-order monotone upstream-centered schemes for conservation laws to very high-order (up to ninth-order) weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes.
01 Sep 2009
TL;DR: 2 novel approaches for the self-organization of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) femtocells are presented, in which the femtocell is able to dynamically sense the air interface and tune its sub-channel allocation in order to reduce inter-cell interference and enhance system capacity.
Abstract: This work presents 2 novel approaches for the self-organization of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) femtocells, in which the femtocell is able to dynamically sense the air interface and tune its sub-channel allocation in order to reduce inter-cell interference and enhance system capacity. In the sensing phase, these techniques make use of either messages broadcast by the femtocells or measurements reported by the users, while in the tuning phase, they provide a good solution for the frequency assignment problem. Results shows that it is recommend to use information collected at the user position (measurement reports), when devising self-organization algorithms for tuning the parameters of femtocells.
TL;DR: Hill et al. as mentioned in this paper examined the moderating influence of perceptions of goal progress and achievement goal orientations on the relationship between multidimensional perfectionism and athlete burnout, and found that socially prescribed perfectionism demonstrated a significant positive association, and self-oriented perfectionism a significant negative association with burnout dimensions.
TL;DR: The proposed hybrid clustering technique called rough-DBSCAN has a time complexity of O(n) only and is analyzed using rough set theory and can find a similar clustering as found by the DBSCAN, but is consistently faster than DBS CAN.
TL;DR: It is suggested that chronic consumption of 500 mg/d of elderberry extract for 12 wk is apparently safe, but ineffective in altering biomarkers of CVD risk in healthy postmenopausal women.
Abstract: Growing evidence supports a cardio-protective role for anthocyanins; however, there is limited evidence on their efficacy and safety following the consumption of relatively high but dietarily achievable doses in humans. We conducted a parallel-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine the effect of chronic consumption of anthocyanins on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and liver and kidney function in 52 healthy postmenopausal women (n = 26 in treatment and placebo groups). Volunteers (BMI, 24.7 +/- 3.6 kg/m(2); age, 58.2 +/- 5.6 y) consumed 500 mg/d anthocyanins as cyanidin glycosides (from elderberry) or placebo for 12 wk (2 capsules twice/d). At the beginning (wk 0) and end of the 12-wk intervention, levels of anthocyanins and biomarkers of CVD (inflammatory biomarkers, platelet reactivity, lipids, and glucose) and liver and kidney function (total bilirubin, albumin, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutyl transferase) were assessed in fasted blood. Anthropometric, blood pressure, and pulse measurements were also taken. In addition, postprandial plasma anthocyanins were measured (t = 1, 2, 3 h) following a 500-mg oral bolus dose. After 12 wk of chronic exposure to anthocyanins, there was no significant change in biomarkers of CVD risk and liver and kidney function remained within clinically acceptable ranges. We observed no plasma accumulation of anthocyanins; however, postprandial metabolism increased (P = 0.02). In conclusion, these data suggest that chronic consumption of 500 mg/d of elderberry extract for 12 wk is apparently safe, but ineffective in altering biomarkers of CVD risk in healthy postmenopausal women.
TL;DR: In this article, the physicochemical properties of alginate gel beads in simulated gastro-intestinal (GI) conditions were investigated using NMR transverse relaxation time (T2) measurements.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that whilst environmental policy may possibly have a greater influence in the future, it is the environmental ethics of the market that will be deterministic to the balance of the tourism-environment relationship.
TL;DR: In this paper, the responses of immature Dendritic cells derived from BMDCs derived from murine bone marrow (BMDCs) to a range of TLR ligands were examined for 6 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor.
Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are required for the initiation of primary immune responses The pattern of Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression on various subsets of these cells has been shown to differ, suggestive of distinct roles in influencing immune responses We have examined here the responses of immature DCs derived from murine bone marrow (BMDCs) to a range of TLR ligands BMDCs cultured for 6 days in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor were stimulated for 24 hr with ligands to TLR1-2 [Pam(3)Cys-Ser-(Lys)(4) (PAM)], TLR2-6 (macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2); zymosan or peptidoglycan (PG)], TLR3 (polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid), TLR4 [lipopolysaccharide R515 (LPS)], TLR5 (flagellin), TLR7 (polyuridylic acid) and TLR9 [CpG ODN2395 (CpG)] DC activation was monitored using membrane marker expression and analysis of culture supernatants for cytokine/chemokine release Ligands to TLR3 and TLR7 failed to activate BMDCs All other TLR ligands caused elevated expression of membrane markers PAM, MALP-2 and LPS induced high-level expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines Treatment with CpG was associated with a preferential type 1 cytokine and chemokine profile Zymosan and PG were proinflammatory but also skewed towards a type 2 pattern of cytokines and chemokines In contrast, flagellin did not cause marked secretion by BMDCs of cytokines or chemokines These data for BMDCs are largely consistent with the reported TLR repertoire of freshly isolated murine Langerhans cells In addition, murine BMDCs show selective responses to TLR ligands with respect to general activation, with differentiated cytokine patterns suggestive of potential priming for divergent immune responses
TL;DR: Hagan, A. L., & Hausenblas, H. A. as discussed by the authors found that perfectionism may be an important antecedent of exercise dependence (Hagan et al., 2003).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the pedagogical changes that they experienced as a teacher engaged in an action research project in which I designed and implemented an indirect, developmentally appropriate and child-centred approach to my teaching.
Abstract: This paper reports on the pedagogical changes that I experienced as a teacher engaged in an action research project in which I designed and implemented an indirect, developmentally appropriate and child‐centred approach to my teaching. There have been repeated calls to expunge – or at least rationalise – the use of traditional, teacher‐led practice in physical education. Yet despite the advocacy of many leading academics there is little evidence that such a change of approach is occurring. In my role as teacher‐as‐researcher I sought to implement a new pedagogical approach, in the form of cooperative learning, and bring about a positive change in the form of enhanced pupil learning. Data collection included a reflective journal, post‐teaching reflective analysis, pupil questionnaires, student interviews, document analysis, and non‐participant observations. The research team analysed the data using inductive analysis and constant comparison. Six themes emerged from the data: teaching and learning, reflecti...
TL;DR: In conclusion, macrophage-secreted factors induce a major inflammatory response in human adipocytes, with expression of MMP family members being strongly up-regulated.
Abstract: White adipose tissue exhibits inflammation as tissue mass expands in obesity, involving macrophage infiltration and a direct inflammatory response by adipocytes. DNA microarrays and conditioned medium have been used to examine the effects of macrophages on global gene expression in human adipocytes. SGBS adipocytes, differentiated in culture, were treated with macrophage-conditioned medium (U937 cells) for 4 or 24 h; control cells received unconditioned medium. Agilent arrays comprising 44,000 probes were used to analyse gene expression. Microarray analysis identified 1,088 genes differentially expressed in response to the conditioned medium at both 4 and 24 h (754 up-regulated, 334 down-regulated at 24 h); these included genes associated with inflammation and macrophage infiltration. A cluster of matrix metalloproteinase genes were highly up-regulated at both time-points, including MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, MMP10, MMP12 and MMP19. At 4 and 24 h, MMP1 was the most highly up-regulated gene (>2,400-fold increase in mRNA at 24 h). ELISA measurements indicated that substantial quantities of MMP1 and MMP3 were released from adipocytes incubated with conditioned medium, with little release by control adipocytes. Treatment with TNFα induced substantial increases in MMP1 (>100-fold) and MMP3 (27-fold) mRNA level and MMP1 and MMP3 release in adipocytes, suggesting that this cytokine could contribute to the stimulation of MMP expression by macrophages. In conclusion, macrophage-secreted factors induce a major inflammatory response in human adipocytes, with expression of MMP family members being strongly up-regulated. The induction of MMP1 and other MMPs suggests that macrophages stimulate tissue remodelling during adipose tissue expansion in obesity.
TL;DR: In recent decades, Tourism Studies (and its bedfellow subjects, Tourism Management, Tourism Planning and Tourism Sciences) has blossomed as a somewhat commonplace area of tertiary education, and ha...
Abstract: In recent decades, Tourism Studies (and its bedfellow subjects, Tourism Management, Tourism Planning and Tourism Sciences) has blossomed as a somewhat commonplace area of tertiary education, and ha...
TL;DR: International specialists from complementary areas related to ageing research gathered to find clear attributes and definitions of the 'Healthy Ageing Phenotype', to identify potential mechanisms and interventions to improve healthy life expectancy of the population; and to highlight areas within ageing research that should be prioritised in the future.
Abstract: Previous research suggests that higher education employees experience comparatively high levels of job stress. A range of instruments, both generic and job‐specific, has been used to measure stressors and strains in this occupational context. The Work‐related Quality of Life (WRQoL) scale is a measure designed to capture perceptions of the working environment and employees’ responses to them. This study explores the factor structure of the WRQoL scale for higher education employees. Survey data were collected from workers in four higher education institutions in the UK (n = 2136). Confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to investigate the explanatory power of the scale using a six‐factor model (job and career satisfaction, general well‐being, home–work interface, stress at work, control at work and working conditions). A first‐order confirmatory factor analysis model fitted the data well, whilst a second‐order model produced an acceptable fit. Levels of WRQoL for each factor are consistent...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assessed relationships between three dimensions of emotional labour (emotional display rules, and the faking and suppression of emotions) and strain outcomes (psychological distress, work-life conflict and job satisfaction) in a sample of 124 cabin crew and 122 telesales agents.
Abstract: Purpose – Research suggests that “front‐line” service jobs typically require emotional labour owing to the high levels of interpersonal interaction inherent in such work. Although emotional labour can be performed face‐to‐face (in person) or voice‐to‐voice (on the telephone), little is known about whether the type of emotional demands and the relationships with strain outcomes differ according to mode of delivery. The purpose of this paper is to research these issues.Design/methodology/approach – Relationships are assessed between three dimensions of emotional labour (emotional display rules, and the faking and suppression of emotions) and strain outcomes (psychological distress, work‐life conflict and job satisfaction) in a sample of 124‐cabin crew (face‐to‐face interaction) and 122 telesales agents (voice‐to‐voice interaction). The emotional labour dimensions that are significant predictors of strain outcomes for both groups are examined by multiple regression.Findings – No significant differences were ...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the use of action research as a framework to investigate cooperative learning and tactical games as instructional models in physical education (PE) and conclude that the implementation of any new pedagogical approach is time-consuming and highly labour intensive.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of action research as a framework to investigate cooperative learning and tactical games as instructional models in physical education (PE). The teacher/researcher taught a tennis unit using a combination of Cooperative Learning and Teaching Games for Understanding to three classes of boys aged 11—12. Data collection included: teacher and pupil evaluations of skill, pupil reflections on the lessons, pupil interviews, teacher field journal and the documentation and course materials from the unit of work. Data analysis was conducted using inductive analysis and constant comparison (Denzin and Lincoln, 1994; Lincoln and Guba, 1985). The results of this research reinforce the concept that the implementation of any new pedagogical approach is time-consuming and highly labour intensive (Fullan, 1999). The conceptual shift the teacher/researcher made to relinquish control to students was one of the most difficult, but important, outcomes of this action research pr...
TL;DR: The participants concluded that these options for reduction have not been sufficiently utilized to date, and encouraged the use and promotion of these options as well as the dissemination of data related to reduction opportunities by the scientific community in order to boost the acceptance level of these approaches.
Abstract: In vivo genetic toxicology tests measure direct DNA damage or the formation of gene or chromosomal mutations, and are used to predict the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of compounds for regulatory purposes and/or to follow-up positive results from in vitro testing. These tests are widely used and consume large numbers of animals, with a foreseeable marked increase as a result of the EU chemicals legislation (REACH), which may require follow-up of any positive outcome in the in vitro standard battery with appropriate in vivo tests, regardless of the tonnage level of the chemical. A 2-day workshop with genotoxicity experts from academia, regulatory agencies and industry was hosted by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) in Ranco, Italy from 24 to 25 June 2008. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss how to reduce the number of animals in standard genotoxicity tests, whether the application of smarter test strategies can lead to lower animal numbers, and how the possibilities for reduction can be promoted and implemented. The workshop agreed that there are many reduction options available that are scientifically credible and therefore ready for use. Most of these are compliant with regulatory guidelines, i.e. the use of one sex only, one administration and two sampling times versus two or three administrations and one sampling time for micronucleus (MN), chromosomal aberration (CA) and Comet assays; and the integration of the MN endpoint into repeat-dose toxicity studies. The omission of a concurrent positive control in routine CA and MN tests has been proven to be scientifically acceptable, although the OECD guidelines still require this; also the combination of acute MN and Comet assay studies are compliant with guidelines, except for sampling times. Based on the data presented at the workshop, the participants concluded that these options have not been sufficiently utilized to date. Key factors for this seem to be the uncertainty regarding regulatory compliance/acceptance, lack of awareness, and an in many cases unjustified uncertainty regarding the scientific acceptance of reduction options. The workshop therefore encourages the use and promotion of these options as well as the dissemination of data related to reduction opportunities by the scientific community in order to boost the acceptance level of these approaches. Furthermore, experimental proof is needed and under way to demonstrate the credibility of additional options for reduction of the number of animals, such as the integration of the Comet assay into repeat-dose toxicity studies. © 2009 Elsevier B.V.