University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

The biology and genetics of curly hair.

Abstract: Hair fibres show wide diversity across and within all human populations, suggesting that hair fibre form and colour have been subject to much adaptive pressure over thousands of years. All human hair fibres typically have the same basic structure. However, the three-dimensional shape of the entire fibre varies considerably depending on ethnicity and geography, with examples from very straight hair with no rotational turn about the long axis, to the tightly sprung coils of African races. The creation of the highly complex biomaterials in hair follicle and how these confer mechanical functions on the fibre so formed is a topic that remains relatively unexplained thus far. We review the current understanding on how hair fibres are formed into a nonlinear coiled form and which genetic and biological factors are thought to be responsible for hair shape. We report on a new GWAS comparing low and high curl individuals in South Africa, revealing strong links to polymorphic variation in trichohyalin, a copper transporter protein CUTC and the inner root sheath component keratin 74. This builds onto the growing knowledge base describing the control of curly hair formation.

Geographic Information: Value, Pricing, Production, and Consumption

Abstract: Bringing producer and consumer debates together, Geographic Information: Value, Pricing, Production, and Consumption provides a coherent perspective on what have become emotional and territorial issues of IPR protection and liberation. This book addresses a range of issues relating to GI, from its definition, purpose, and use to how GI affects indi

Type of incision for below knee amputation

Abstract: Background Below knee amputation (BKA) may be necessary in patients with advanced critical limb ischaemia or diabetic foot sepsis in whom no other treatment option is available. There is no consensus as to which surgical technique achieves the maximum rehabilitation potential. This is the third update of the review first published in 2004. Objectives To assess the effects of different types of incision on the outcome of BKA in people with lower limb ischaemia or diabetic foot sepsis, or both. The main focus of the review was to assess the relative merits of skew flap amputation versus the long posterior flap technique. Search methods For this update the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator (TSC) searched the Specialised Register (last searched 28 March 2013) and CENTRAL (2013, Issue 2). Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials comparing two or more types of skin incision for BKA were identified. People with lower limb ischaemia (acute or chronic) or diabetic foot sepsis, or both, were considered for inclusion. People undergoing below knee amputation for other conditions were excluded. Data collection and analysis One review author identified potential trials. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data. Additional information, if required, was sought from study authors. Main results Three studies with a combined total of 309 participants were included in the review. One study compared two-stage versus one-stage BKA; one study compared skew flaps BKA versus long posterior flap BKA; and one study compared sagittal flaps BKA versus long posterior flap BKA. Overall the quality of the evidence from these studies was moderate. BKA using skew flaps or sagittal flaps conferred no advantage over the well established long posterior flap technique (primary stump healing was 60% for both skew flaps and long posterior flap (risk ratio (RR) 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 1.42) and primary stump healing was 58% for sagittal flaps and 55% for long posterior flap (Peto odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.43). For participants with wet gangrene, a two-stage procedure with a guillotine amputation at the ankle followed by a definitive long posterior flap amputation led to better primary stump healing than a one-stage procedure (Peto OR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.89). Post-operative infection rate or wound necrosis, reamputation, and mobility with a prosthetic limb were similar in the different comparisons. Authors' conclusions There is no evidence to show a benefit of one type of incision over another. However, in the presence of wet gangrene a two-stage procedure leads to better primary stump healing compared to a one-stage procedure. The choice of amputation technique can, therefore, be a matter of surgeon preference taking into account factors such as previous experience of a particular technique, the extent of non-viable tissue, and the location of pre-existing surgical scars.

Exploring Language Assessment and Testing: Language in Action

Abstract: Este libro ofrece una introduccion sencilla y accesible que parte de experiencias del mundo real y utiliza ejemplos practicos para introducir al lector en el campo academico de la evaluacion y las pruebas de idiomas. Ampliamente actualizada, con caracteristicas adicionales como tareas de lectura (con extensos comentarios del autor), un glosario de terminos clave y una seccion de lectura adicional anotada, esta segunda edicion proporciona cobertura de los desarrollos teoricos y tecnologicos recientes y explora propositos especificos para la evaluacion. Este libro, que incluye modelos y ejemplos concretos para guiar a los lectores hacia la literatura relevante, tambien ofrece una guia practica para educadores e investigadores sobre el diseno, desarrollo y uso de evaluaciones. Al proporcionar una encuesta inclusiva e imparcial tanto de la evaluacion en el aula por parte de los maestros como de las pruebas a mayor escala, esta es una introduccion indispensable para los estudiantes de posgrado y pregrado avanzado que estudian Educacion de idiomas, Linguistica aplicada y Evaluacion de idiomas.