Showing papers by "University of New South Wales published in 2004"
TL;DR: An "oxidative response to inflammation" model is proposed as a means of reconciling the response-to-injury and oxidative modification hypotheses of atherosclerosis.
Abstract: This review focuses on the role of oxidative processes in atherosclerosis and its resultant cardiovascular events. There is now a consensus that atherosclerosis represents a state of heightened oxidative stress characterized by lipid and protein oxidation in the vascular wall. The oxidative modification hypothesis of atherosclerosis predicts that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is an early event in atherosclerosis and that oxidized LDL contributes to atherogenesis. In support of this hypothesis, oxidized LDL can support foam cell formation in vitro, the lipid in human lesions is substantially oxidized, there is evidence for the presence of oxidized LDL in vivo, oxidized LDL has a number of potentially proatherogenic activities, and several structurally unrelated antioxidants inhibit atherosclerosis in animals. An emerging consensus also underscores the importance in vascular disease of oxidative events in addition to LDL oxidation. These include the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by vascular cells, as well as oxidative modifications contributing to important clinical manifestations of coronary artery disease such as endothelial dysfunction and plaque disruption. Despite these abundant data however, fundamental problems remain with implicating oxidative modification as a (requisite) pathophysiologically important cause for atherosclerosis. These include the poor performance of antioxidant strategies in limiting either atherosclerosis or cardiovascular events from atherosclerosis, and observations in animals that suggest dissociation between atherosclerosis and lipoprotein oxidation. Indeed, it remains to be established that oxidative events are a cause rather than an injurious response to atherogenesis. In this context, inflammation needs to be considered as a primary process of atherosclerosis, and oxidative stress as a secondary event. To address this issue, we have proposed an "oxidative response to inflammation" model as a means of reconciling the response-to-injury and oxidative modification hypotheses of atherosclerosis.
2,518 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a new framework that centers on the concept of progressive N limitation (PNL) for studying the interactions between C and N in terrestrial ecosystems, and examined conditions under which PNL may or may not constrain net primary production and carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystem.
Abstract: A highly controversial issue in global biogeochemistry is the regulation of terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration by soil nitrogen (N) availability. This controversy translates into great uncertainty in predicting future global terrestrial C sequestration. We propose a new framework that centers on the concept of progressive N limitation (PNL) for studying the interactions between C and N in terrestrial ecosystems. In PNL, available soil N becomes increasingly limiting as C and N are sequestered in long-lived plant biomass and soil organic matter. Our analysis focuses on the role of PNL in regulating ecosystem responses to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, but the concept applies to any perturbation that initially causes C and N to accumulate in organic forms. This article examines conditions under which PNL may or may not constrain net primary production and C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems. While the PNL-centered framework has the potential to explain diverse experimental...
1,196 citations
Saint Louis University1, Amgen2, University of New South Wales3, University of Toronto4, University College London5, Yale University6, Washington University in St. Louis7, University of Pennsylvania8, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven9, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis10, University of Picardie Jules Verne11, University of Paris12, University of California, Los Angeles13
TL;DR: Cinacalcet lowers parathyroid hormone levels and improves calcium-phosphorus homeostasis in patients receiving hemodialysis who have uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D and calcium in patients receiving dialysis is often complicated by hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia, which may contribute to cardiovascular disease and adverse clinical outcomes. Calcimimetics target the calcium-sensing receptor and lower parathyroid hormone levels without increasing calcium and phosphorus levels. We report the results of two identical randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the calcimimetic agent cinacalcet hydrochloride. METHODS: Patients who were receiving hemodialysis and who had inadequately controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism despite standard treatment were randomly assigned to receive cinacalcet (371 patients) or placebo (370 patients) for 26 weeks. Once-daily doses were increased from 30 mg to 180 mg to achieve intact parathyroid hormone levels of 250 pg per milliliter or less. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with values in this range during a 14-week efficacy-assessment phase. RESULTS: Forty-three percent of the cinacalcet group reached the primary end point, as compared with 5 percent of the placebo group (P<0.001). Overall, mean parathyroid hormone values decreased 43 percent in those receiving cinacalcet but increased 9 percent in the placebo group (P<0.001). The serum calcium-phosphorus product declined by 15 percent in the cinacalcet group and remained unchanged in the placebo group (P<0.001). Cinacalcet effectively reduced parathyroid hormone levels independently of disease severity or changes in vitamin D sterol dose. CONCLUSIONS: Cinacalcet lowers parathyroid hormone levels and improves calcium-phosphorus homeostasis in patients receiving hemodialysis who have uncontrolled secondary hyperparathyroidism.
1,016 citations
TL;DR: This article found that even after removing all remnants of sinister attributions, ostracism was similarly aversive, and they interpreted these results as strong evidence for a very primitive and automatic adaptive sensitivity to even the slightest hint of social exclusion.
972 citations
TL;DR: The basics of cognitive load theory are described, the origins of the instructional implications are sketched, the articles accepted for this special issue as a representative sample of current research in this area are introduced, and the overall results in the context of the theory are discussed.
Abstract: Within the cognitive load theory research community it has become customary to report theoretical and empirical progress at international conference symposia and in special issues of journals (e.g., Educational Psychologist 2003; Learning and Instruction 2002). The continuation of this custom at the 10th European Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction, 2003, in Padova, Italy, has materialized in this special issue of Instructional Science on the instructional implications of the interaction between information structures and cognitive architecture. Since the 1990s this interaction has begun to emerge as an explicit field of study for instructional designers and researchers. In this introduction, we describe the basics of cognitive load theory, sketch the origins of the instructional implications, introduce the articles accepted for this special issue as a representative sample of current research in this area, and discuss the overall results in the context of the theory. It is generally accepted that performance degrades at the cognitive load extremes of either excessively low load (underload) or excessively high load (overload) – see e.g., Teigen (1994). Under conditions of both underload and overload, learners may cease to learn. So, whereas learning situations with low processing demands will benefit from practice conditions that increase the load and challenge the learner, learning situations with an extremely high load will benefit from practice conditions that reduce the load to more manageable levels (Wulf and Shea 2002). Cognitive load theory (CLT; Paas, Renkl and Sweller 2003; Sweller 1988, 1999) is mainly concerned with the learning of complex cognitive tasks, where learners are often overwhelmed by the number of information elements and their interactions that need to be processed simultaneously before meaningful learning can commence. Instructional control of this (too) high load, in order to attain meaningful learning in complex cognitive domains, has
923 citations
TL;DR: Drinking water is a major source of microbial pathogens in developing regions, although poor sanitation and food sources are integral to enteric pathogen exposure, and various enteroviruses, C. jejuni and H. pylori are emerging issues in adults.
890 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the effects of organizational culture and leadership styles on job satisfaction and organisational commitment in samples of Hong Kong and Australian managers, and found significant differences between the two samples for measures of innovative and supportive organizational cultures, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment.
Abstract: This study examined the effects of organisational culture and leadership styles on job satisfaction and organisational commitment in samples of Hong Kong and Australian managers. Statistically significant differences between the two samples were found for measures of innovative and supportive organizational cultures, job satisfaction and organizational commitment, with the Australian sample having higher mean scores on all these variables. However, differences between the two samples for job satisfaction and commitment were removed after statistically controlling for organizational culture, leadership and respondents' demographic characteristics. For the combined samples, innovative and supportive cultures, and a consideration leadership style, had positive effects on both job satisfaction and commitment, with the effects of an innovative culture on satisfaction and commitment, and the effect of a consideration leadership style on commitment, being stronger in the Australian sample. Also, an “initiating Structure” leadership style had a negative effect on job satisfaction for the combined sample. Participants' level of education was found to have a slight negative effect on satisfaction, and a slight positive effect on commitment. National culture was found to moderate the effect of respondents' age on satisfaction, with the effect being more positive amongst Hong Kong managers.
868 citations
TL;DR: An integrated approach is described in which a single, waist-mounted accelerometry system is used to monitor a range of different parameters of human movement in an unsupervised setting.
Abstract: Accelerometry offers a practical and low cost method of objectively monitoring human movements, and has particular applicability to the monitoring of free-living subjects. Accelerometers have been used to monitor a range of different movements, including gait, sit-to-stand transfers, postural sway and falls. They have also been used to measure physical activity levels and to identify and classify movements performed by subjects. This paper reviews the use of accelerometer-based systems in each of these areas. The scope and applicability of such systems in unsupervised monitoring of human movement are considered. The different systems and monitoring techniques can be integrated to provide a more comprehensive system that is suitable for measuring a range of different parameters in an unsupervised monitoring context with free-living subjects. An integrated approach is described in which a single, waist-mounted accelerometry system is used to monitor a range of different parameters of human movement in an unsupervised setting.
735 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesize the current state of knowledge on management issues in networks and the contribution to managerial abilities in complex relationships, leading to a set of propositions describing the abilities firms will need to successfully manage complex business networks.
726 citations
TL;DR: Treatment with synbiotics or fermentable fiber is an alternative to lactulose for the management of MHE in patients with cirrhosis and was associated with a significant reduction in blood ammonia levels and reversal of M HE in 50% of patients.
588 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present arguments in support of CGE modelling as the preferred technique in analysing the economic impacts of tourism, and discusses its potential to drive future research in this area that is more relevant to real world tourism destinations.
Durham University1, Carnegie Mellon University2, University of New South Wales3, Johns Hopkins University4, Australian National University5, Liverpool John Moores University6, University of St Andrews7, University of Cambridge8, California Institute of Technology9, University of Nottingham10, ETH Zurich11, University of Edinburgh12
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the observed correlation between galaxy environment and Halpha emission-line strength, using volume-limited samples and group catalogues of 24 968 galaxies at 0.05 < z < 0.095, drawn from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey (M-bJ < -19.5) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey(M-r < -20.6).
Abstract: We analyse the observed correlation between galaxy environment and Halpha emission-line strength, using volume-limited samples and group catalogues of 24 968 galaxies at 0.05 < z < 0.095, drawn from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey (M-bJ < -19.5) and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (M-r < -20.6). We characterize the environment by: (1) Sigma(5), the surface number density of galaxies determined by the projected distance to the fifth nearest neighbour; and (2) rho(1.1) and rho(5.5), three-dimensional density estimates obtained by convolving the galaxy distribution with Gaussian kernels of dispersion 1.1 and 5.5 Mpc, respectively. We find that star-forming and quiescent galaxies form two distinct populations, as characterized by their H equivalent width, W-0(Halpha). The relative numbers of star-forming and quiescent galaxies vary strongly and continuously with local density. However, the distribution of W-0(Halpha) amongst the star-forming population is independent of environment. The fraction of star-forming galaxies shows strong sensitivity to the density on large scales, rho(5.5), which is likely independent of the trend with local density, rho(1.1). We use two differently selected group catalogues to demonstrate that the correlation with galaxy density is approximately independent of group velocity dispersion, for sigma = 200-1000 km s(-1). Even in the lowest-density environments, no more than similar to70 per cent of galaxies show significant Halpha emission. Based on these results, we conclude that the present-day correlation between star formation rate and environment is a result of short-time-scale mechanisms that take place preferentially at high redshift, such as starbursts induced by galaxy-galaxy interactions.
TL;DR: The functions of systemic macrophages are discussed and a large number of membranous and biochemical markers, which can assist in the identification of these cells are cataloged.
Abstract: The phenotypic differentiation of systemic macrophages that have infiltrated the central nervous system, pericytes, perivascular macrophages, and the "real" resident microglial cells is a major immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical concern for all users of cultures of brain cells and brain sections. It is not only important in assessing the purity of cell cultures; it is also of fundamental importance in the assessment of the pathogenetic significance of perivascular inflammatory phenomena within the brain. The lack of a single membranous and/or biochemical marker allowing conclusive identification of these cells is still a major problem in neurobiology. This review briefly discusses the functions of these cells and catalogs a large number of membranous and biochemical markers, which can assist in the identification of these cells.
TL;DR: A generic framework for the automated classification of human movements using an accelerometry monitoring system is introduced and a classifier to identify basic movements from the signals obtained from a single, waist-mounted triaxial accelerometer is developed.
Abstract: A generic framework for the automated classification of human movements using an accelerometry monitoring system is introduced. The framework was structured around a binary decision tree in which movements were divided into classes and subclasses at different hierarchical levels. General distinctions between movements were applied in the top levels, and successively more detailed subclassifications were made in the lower levels of the tree. The structure was modular and flexible: parts of the tree could be reordered, pruned or extended, without the remainder of the tree being affected. This framework was used to develop a classifier to identify basic movements from the signals obtained from a single, waist-mounted triaxial accelerometer. The movements were first divided into activity and rest. The activities were classified as falls, walking, transition between postural orientations, or other movement. The postural orientations during rest were classified as sitting, standing or lying. In controlled laboratory studies in which 26 normal, healthy subjects carried out a set of basic movements, the sensitivity of every classification exceeded 87%, and the specificity exceeded 94%; the overall accuracy of the system, measured as the number of correct classifications across all levels of the hierarchy, was a sensitivity of 97.7% and a specificity of 98.7% over a data set of 1309 movements.
TL;DR: In this paper, the benefits and harms of adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for treating chronic ulcers of the lower limb (diabetic foot ulcers, venous and arterial ulcers and pressure ulcers) were assessed.
Abstract: Chronic wounds are common and present a health problem with significant effect on quality of life. The wide range of therapeutic strategies for such wounds reflects the various pathologies that may cause tissue breakdown, including poor blood supply resulting in inadequate oxygenation of the wound bed. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been suggested to improve oxygen supply to wounds and therefore improve their healing. The objective of this review is to assess the benefits and harms of adjunctive HBOT for treating chronic ulcers of the lower limb (diabetic foot ulcers, venous and arterial ulcers and pressure ulcers).
TL;DR: Being the first study to empirically support the use of the SDQ in Australia, it is recommended that the youth and teacher-report forms of the measure receive similar attention in the future.
Abstract: Objective: We examine the Australian psychometric properties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SQD), a brief screening measure of behavioural and emotional problems in children and adolescents.Method: Using a large community sample (n = 1359) of young Australian children (4–9 years), we assessed the internal consistency, stability, and external validity of the parent-report SDQ. Normative data and cut-offs were also produced.Results: Moderate to strong internal reliability was exhibited across all SDQ subscales, and support was found for the original five-factor structure of the measure. Adequate validity was evidenced in the relationship of these scales to one another, while correlations between the SDQ subscales, teacher ratings, and diagnostic interviews demonstrated sound external validity. SDQ total difficulties scores were associated with concurrent treatment status and scores over a 12-month period were stable.Conclusions: The current study of the SDQ with Australian children present...
TL;DR: Two individuals with soma-wide, allele-specific and mosaic hypermethylation of the DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1 are reported, with one having had multiple primary tumors that show mismatch repair deficiency and both meeting clinical criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
Abstract: Epigenetic silencing can mimic genetic mutation by abolishing expression of a gene. We hypothesized that an epimutation could occur in any gene as a germline event that predisposes to disease and looked for examples in tumor suppressor genes in individuals with cancer. Here we report two individuals with soma-wide, allele-specific and mosaic hypermethylation of the DNA mismatch repair gene MLH1. Both individuals lack evidence of genetic mutation in any mismatch repair gene but have had multiple primary tumors that show mismatch repair deficiency, and both meet clinical criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. The epimutation was also present in spermatozoa of one of the individuals, indicating a germline defect and the potential for transmission to offspring. Germline epimutation provides a mechanism for phenocopying of genetic disease. The mosaicism and nonmendelian inheritance that are characteristic of epigenetic states could produce patterns of disease risk that resemble those of polygenic or complex traits.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the recent progress in atomic parity nonconservation and atomic electric dipole moments (time reversal symmetry violation), with a particular focus on the atomic theory required to interpret the measurements.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the cost-effectiveness of current and optimal treatments for mental disorders and the proportion of burden averable by each, and calculated the burden unavertable given current knowledge.
Abstract: Background Mental health survey data are now being used proactively to decide how the burden of disease might best be reduced.
Aims To study the cost-effectiveness of current and optimal treatments for mental disorders and the proportion of burden avertable by each.
Method Data for three affective, four anxiety and two alcohol use disorders and for schizophrenia were compared interms of cost, burden averted and efficiency of current and optimal treatment. We then calculated the burden unavertable given current knowledge. The unit of health gain was a reduction in the years lived with disability (YLDs).
Results Summing across all disorders, current treatment averted 13% of the burden, at an average cost of AUS$30 000 per YLD gained. Optimal treatment at current coverage could avert 20% of the burden, at an average cost of AUS$18 000 per YLD gained. Optimal treatment at optimal coverage could avert 28% of the burden, at AUS$16 000 per YLD gained. Sixty per cent of the burden of mental disorders was deemed to be unavertable.
Conclusions The efficiency of treatment varied more than tenfold across disorders. Although coverage of some of the more efficient treatments should be extended, other factors justify continued use of less-efficient treatments for some disorders.
TL;DR: All four measures provide acceptable levels of test-retest reliability for assessing both activity status and sedentariness, and moderate reliability for assessing total minutes of activity.
TL;DR: The hardness and tensile properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with nanometric Al2O3 particulate have been found to increase with the volume fraction of the reinforcement.
TL;DR: The main objective of this paper is to review the extensive research that has been done on fingerprint classification over the last four decades and discusses the fingerprint features that are useful for distinguishing fingerprint classes and reviews the methods of classification that have been applied to the problem.
Abstract: Biometrics is the automatic identification of an individual that is based on physiological or behavioural characteristics. Due to its security-related applications and the current world political climate, biometrics is currently the subject of intense research by both private and academic institutions. Fingerprints are emerging as the most common and trusted biometric for personal identification. The main objective of this paper is to review the extensive research that has been done on fingerprint classification over the last four decades. In particular, it discusses the fingerprint features that are useful for distinguishing fingerprint classes and reviews the methods of classification that have been applied to the problem. Finally, it presents empirical results from the state of the art fingerprint classification systems that have been tested using the NIST Special Database 4.
TL;DR: It is shown that nymphs and adult females reared on a high-protein diet lived longer than those on a low- protein diet, and adult males reared in this study died sooner than Those on low-protein diets because they invested more energy in calling during early adulthood.
Abstract: Only high-quality males can bear the costs of an extreme sexual display. As a consequence, such males are not only more attractive, but they often live longer than average. Recent theory predicts, however, that high-quality males should sometimes invest so heavily in sexual displays that they die sooner than lower quality males. We manipulated the phenotypic quality of field crickets, Teleogryllus commodus, by altering the protein content of their diet. Here we show that nymphs and adult females reared on a high-protein diet lived longer than those on a low-protein diet. In contrast, adult males reared on a high-protein diet died sooner than those on low-protein diets because they invested more energy in calling during early adulthood. Our findings uphold the theoretical prediction that the relationship between longevity and sexual advertisement may be dynamic (that is, either positive or negative), depending on local conditions such as resource availability. Moreover, they caution the use of longevity as a proxy for fitness in sexual selection studies, and suggest avenues for future research on the relationship between sexual attractiveness and ageing.
TL;DR: The effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and multidisciplinary intervention on elderly patients sent home from the emergency department (ED) are studied.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and multidisciplinary intervention on elderly patients sent home from the emergency department (ED). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial with 18 months of follow-up. SETTING: Large medical school–affiliated public hospital in an urban setting in Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 739 patients aged 75 and older discharged home from the ED were randomized into two groups. INTERVENTION: Patients randomized to the treatment group underwent initial CGA and were followed at home for up to 28 days by a hospital-based multidisciplinary outreach team. The team implemented or coordinated recommendations. The control group received usual care. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measure was all admissions, to the hospital within 30 days of the initial ED visit. Secondary outcome measures were elective and emergency admissions, and nursing home admissions and mortality. Additional outcomes included physical function (Barthel Index (total possible score 5 20) and instrumental activities of daily living (/12) and cognitive function (mental status questionnaire (/10)). RESULTS: Intervention patients had a lower rate of all admissions to the hospital during the first 30 days after the initial ED visit (16.5% vs 22.2%; P 5.048), a lower rate of emergency admissions during the 18-month follow-up (44.4% vs 54.3%; P 5.007), and longer time to first emergency admission (382 vs 348 days; P 5.011). There was no difference in admission to nursing homes or mortality. Patients randomized to the intervention group maintained a greater degree of physical and mental function (Barthel Index change from baseline at 6 months: � 0.25 vs � 0.75; Po.001; mental status questionnaire change from baseline at 12 months: � 0.21 vs � 0.64; Po.001). CONCLUSION: CGA and multidisciplinary intervention can improve health outcomes of older people at risk of deteriorating health and admission to hospital. Patients aged 75 and older should be referred for CGA after an ED visit. J Am Geriatr Soc 52:1417–1423, 2004.
TL;DR: In this paper, the application of the effective stress principle to unsaturated soils is critically reviewed, and the reasons underlying the difficulties in previous investigations of effective stress in unsaturated soil are highlighted.
Abstract: The application of the effective stress principle to unsaturated soils is critically reviewed, and the reasons underlying the difficulties in previous investigations of the effective stress in unsaturated soils are highlighted. The validity of the relationship proposed by Khalili and Khabbaz in 1998 for the determination of the effective stress parameter, χ, is examined using an extensive array of experimental data. It is shown that quantitative predictions of shear strength and volume change in unsaturated soils can be made using the effective stress concept. The uniqueness of the critical state line in the deviatoric stress–effective mean stress plane for saturated as well as unsaturated soils is investigated, and the incremental form of the effective stress parameter is derived.
TL;DR: The complete set of viable deletion strains in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was screened for sensitivity of mutants to five oxidants to identify cell functions involved in resistance to oxidative stress, highlighting the specificity of cellular responses to different oxidants.
Abstract: The complete set of viable deletion strains in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was screened for sensitivity of mutants to five oxidants to identify cell functions involved in resistance to oxidative stress. This screen identified a unique set of mainly constitutive functions providing the first line of defense against a particular oxidant; these functions are very dependent on the nature of the oxidant. Most of these functions are distinct from those involved in repair and recovery from damage, which are generally induced in response to stress, because there was little correlation between mutant sensitivity and the reported transcriptional response to oxidants of the relevant gene. The screen identified 456 mutants sensitive to at least one of five different types of oxidant, and these were ranked in order of sensitivity. Many genes identified were not previously known to have a role in resistance to reactive oxygen species. These encode functions including protein sorting, ergosterol metabolism, autophagy, and vacuolar acidification. Only two mutants were sensitive to all oxidants examined, only 12 were sensitive to at least four, and different oxidants had very different spectra of deletants that were sensitive. These findings highlight the specificity of cellular responses to different oxidants: No single oxidant is representative of general oxidative stress. Mitochondrial respiratory functions were overrepresented in mutants sensitive to H2O2, and vacuolar protein-sorting mutants were enriched in mutants sensitive to diamide. Core functions required for a broad range of oxidative-stress resistance include transcription, protein trafficking, and vacuolar function.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider how to understand, interpret, and use the Dirichlet framework for measuring the performance of a brand in a repeat-purchase market, including how many customers buy the brand, how often, and how much they also buy other brands.
TL;DR: In this paper, a multilevel theoretical model is proposed to investigate how the creativity of individual team members is related to team creativity, and the influence of climate for creativity in the workplace on individual and team creativity.
Abstract: Summary This paper investigates how the creativity of individual team members is related to team creativity, and the influence of climate for creativity in the workplace on individual and team creativity. A multilevel theoretical model is proposed, and the authors report a study which tests the model using a sample of 54 research and development teams. The results showed that team creativity scores could be explained statistically by aggregation processes across both people and time. Team creativity at a particular point in time could be explained as either the average or a weighted average of team member creativity; the creativity of project outcomes was explained by either the maximum of or average of team creativity across time-points. According to the model, failure to account for aggregation across time as well as across individuals can result in misleading empirical results, and can result in the erroneous conclusion that team climate influences team creativity directly rather than indirectly via individuals. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: Cognitive load theory both provides instructional design principles that would be difficult to devise without its particular view of human cognitive architecture and throws further light on that architecture.
Abstract: Evolution by natural selection may becharacterized as a system in which a largestore of genetic information will persistindefinitely while it remains coordinated withits environment but will continuously producesmall random variations that are tested forenvironmental effectiveness. In anyenvironment, effective variations will persistwhile ineffective variations will disappear.Similarly, human cognitive architectureincludes a large store of information held inlong-term memory that coordinates our cognitiveactivities. A very limited working memory teststhe effectiveness of small variations tolong-term memory with effective variationsaltering long-term memory while ineffectivevariations are lost. Both an existing geneticcode and information in long-term memoryprovide a central executive that guidesbehaviour. Such a central executive isunavailable when an environment alters or whenworking memory must be used to deal with novelinformation. A major function of instructionaldesign is to provide the otherwise missingstructure of a central executive when dealingwith novel information and to reduce thatstructural support as knowledge accumulates inlong-term memory. Cognitive load theory bothprovides instructional design principles thatwould be difficult to devise without itsparticular view of human cognitive architectureand throws further light on that architecture.
TL;DR: Laroscopic excision of endometriosis is more effective than placebo at reducing pain and improving quality of life, and surgery is associated with a 30% placebo response rate that is not dependent on severity of disease.