University of Nottingham

About: University of Nottingham is a education organization based out in Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 54772 authors who have published 119600 publications receiving 4227408 citations. The organization is also known as: The University of Nottingham & University College, Nottingham.

NMR 'diffraction' in solids?

Abstract: A new approach to the study of structure in solids by NMR is described. Multiple-pulse line-narrowing sequences and an applied magnetic field gradient are used. The theoretical analysis highlights the analogy with X-ray diffraction. Experimental results from a model one-dimensional lattice are presented.

Suppression of autoimmune inflammation of the central nervous system by interleukin 10 secreted by interleukin 27–stimulated T cells

Abstract: Excessive inflammation occurs during infection and autoimmunity in mice lacking the α-subunit of the interleukin 27 (IL-27) receptor. The molecular mechanisms underlying this increased inflammation are incompletely understood. Here we report that IL-27 upregulated IL-10 in effector T cells that produced interferon-γ and expressed the transcription factor T-bet but did not express the transcription factor Foxp3. These IFN-γ+T-bet+Foxp3− cells resembled effector T cells that have been identified as the main source of host-protective IL-10 during inflammation. IL-27-induced production of IL-10 was associated with less secretion of IL-17, and exogenous IL-27 reduced the severity of adoptively transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by a mechanism dependent on IL-10. Our data show that IL-27-induced production of IL-10 by effector T cells contributes to the immunomodulatory function of IL-27.

A Classification of Hyper-heuristic Approaches

Abstract: The current state of the art in hyper-heuristic research comprises a set of approaches that share the common goal of automating the design and adaptation of heuristic methods to solve hard computational search problems. The main goal is to produce more generally applicable search methodologies. In this chapter we present an overview of previous categorisations of hyper-heuristics and provide a unified classification and definition, which capture the work that is being undertaken in this field. We distinguish between two main hyper-heuristic categories: heuristic selection and heuristic generation. Some representative examples of each category are discussed in detail. Our goals are to clarify the mainfeatures of existing techniques and to suggest new directions for hyper-heuristic research.

Psychoeducation for Schizophrenia

Abstract: Background Schizophrenia can be a severe and chronic illness characterised by lack of insight and poor compliance with treatment. Psychoeducational approaches have been developed to increase patients' knowledge of, and insight into, their illness and its treatment. It is supposed that this increased knowledge and insight will enable people with schizophrenia to cope in a more effective way with their illness, thereby improving prognosis. Objectives To assess the effects of psychoeducational interventions compared to the standard levels of knowledge provision. Search strategy Electronic searches of CINAHL (1982-1999), The Cochrane Library CENTRAL (Issue 1, 1999), The Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Register (May 2001), EMBASE (1980-1999), MEDLINE (1966-1999), PsycLit (1974-1999), and Sociofile (1974-1999) were undertaken. These were supplemented by cross-reference searching and personal contact with authors of all included studies. Selection criteria All relevant randomised controlled trials focusing on psychoeducation for schizophrenia and/or related serious mental illnesses involving individuals or groups. Quasi-randomised trials were excluded. Data collection and analysis Data were extracted independently from included papers by at least two reviewers. Authors of trials were contacted for additional and missing data. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of homogeneous dichotomous data were calculated. A random effects model was used for heterogeneous dichotomous data. Where possible the numbers needed to treat (NNT) were also calculated. Weighted or standardised means were calculated for continuous data. Main results Ten studies are included in this review. All studies of group education included family members. Compliance with medication was significantly improved in a single study using brief group intervention (at one year) but other studies produced equivocal or skewed data. Any kind of psychoeducational intervention significantly decreased relapse or readmission rates at nine to 18 months follow-up compared with standard care (RR 0.8 CI 0.7-0.9 NNT 9 CI 6-22). Several of the secondary outcomes (knowledge gain, mental state, global level of functioning, expressed emotion in family members) were measured using scales that are difficult to interpret. Generally, however, findings were consistent with the possibility that psychoeducation has a positive effect on a persons' well being. No impact was found on insight, medication related attitudes or on overall satisfaction with services of patients or relatives but these findings rested on very few studies. Health economic outcome was only measured in one study and data were skewed. It was not possible to analyse whether different duration or formats of psychoeducation influenced effectiveness. Authors' conclusions Evidence from trials suggests that psychoeducational approaches are useful as a part of the treatment programme for people with schizophrenia and related illness. The fact that the interventions are brief and inexpensive should make them attractive to managers and policy makers. More well-designed, conducted and reported randomised studies investigating the efficacy of psychoeducation are needed.