Showing papers by "University of Salford published in 1994"
TL;DR: The activities of supervising radiographers in support of the undergraduate curriculum was investigated by means of the Delphi technique, and issues of consensus, validity and reliability were explored.
Abstract: As in nursing, recent curriculum reform in radiographer education has resulted in the development of undergraduate programmes, and a study referred to in this paper investigated the activities of supervising radiographers in support of the undergraduate curriculum. Following on from 'ward learning environments' research in nursing, the most important activities which assist radiography students' clinical learning were investigated by means of the Delphi technique. At the design stage, a deficiency in previous work using the technique was identified, in that decisions relating to consensus among research respondents appeared to be based on arbitrary or post hoc rationales rather than predetermined or objective criteria. As the Delphi technique is being increasingly employed in nursing and similar research, it is important to explore issues of consensus, validity and reliability. The paper makes recommendations for improving these aspects in future studies.
880 citations
TL;DR: The paper outlines the development of CBR in the US in the 1980s and describes the fundamental techniques ofCBR and contrasts its approach to that of model-based reasoning systems.
Abstract: Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a relatively recent problem solving technique that is attracting increasing attention. However, the number of people with first-hand theoretical or practical experience of CBR is still small. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject to people new to CBR. The paper outlines the development of CBR in the US in the 1980s. It describes the fundamental techniques of CBR and contrasts its approach to that of model-based reasoning systems.1 A critical review of currently available CBR software tools is followed by descriptions of CBR applications both from academic research and, in more detail, three CBR systems that are presently being used commercially. Each of the three commercial case studies highlights features that made CBR particularly suitable for the application. Moreover, the last case study describes a development methodology for implementing CBR systems. The paper concludes with a research agenda for CBR. A detailed categorized bibliography of CBR research is provided in a companion paper (Marir & Watson, 1994).
711 citations
TL;DR: A substantial proportion of Type 2 diabetic patients, often elderly patients who do not attend hospitals, suffered from peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease and these patients are at risk of foot ulceration and may benefit from preventive footcare.
Abstract: The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and foot ulceration in Type 2 diabetic patients in the community were determined in a community-based study. Eight hundred and eleven subjects (404 male, 407 female, mean age 65.4 (range 34-90) years, diabetes duration 7.4 (0-50) years) from 37 general practices in three UK cities were studied. Neuropathy was diagnosed clinically using modified neuropathy disability scores which were ascertained using structured interviews and clinical examinations by one observer in each city. Peripheral vascular disease was diagnosed if a history of revascularization was present or > or = 2 foot pulses were absent. History of current or previous foot ulceration was recorded. The prevalence of neuropathy was 41.6% (95% confidence limits 38.3-44.9%) and the prevalence of PVD, 11% (9.1-13.7%). Forty-eight percent of neuropathic patients reported significant neuropathic symptoms. Forty-three patients (5.3% (3.8-6.8%)) had current or past foot ulcers; 20 of these were pure neuropathic ulcers, 13 neuroischaemic, 5 pure vascular, and 5 were unclassified. Multiple logistic regression showed history of amputation, neuropathy disability score, and peripheral vascular disease to be significantly associated with foot ulceration after adjusting for age and diabetes duration. A substantial proportion of Type 2 diabetic patients, often elderly patients who do not attend hospitals, suffered from peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. These patients are at risk of foot ulceration and may benefit from preventive footcare.
332 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the impact of gender relations on the transition to democratic rule in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe, and develop a gendered analysis through a comparison of the different processes of transition.
Abstract: This article examines the impact of gender relations on democratization. It considers a number of key questions: what role do women's movements play in the transition to democratic rule and what impact does a return to competitive electoral politics have on women and women's movements. The starting point is a critique of the existing literature on democratization. That literature cannot provide a satisfactory analysis of the role of women in transition politics because of the narrow definitions of democracy used and the top-down focus of much of it. The article then develops a gendered analysis through a comparison of the different processes of transition in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. It highlights the significance of the relationship between civil society and the state and the existence of “political space.”
316 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new way to tailor the crystal chemistry of inorganic solids involves molecular recongnition between two-dimensional organic templates and embryonic inorganic aggregates.
Abstract: A new way to tailor the crystal chemistry of inorganic solids involves molecular recongnition between two‐dimensional organic templates and embryonic inorganic aggregates. Langmuir monolayers adopted as model surfaces offer opportunities for molecular engineering of the template. The Figure shows one example of oriented nucleation of vaterite under octadecylamine monolayers. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1994 Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
280 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the degree to which higher education institutions are aware of the complexity of the student's role and whether this complexity is considered in the development of an institutions mission statement.
Abstract: The Education Reform Act 1988 brought about a number of radical changes in the structure and funding of UK higher education institutions particularly within the “new university” and college sector. As a result, they now operate within a much greater competitive context and need therefore to incorporate a greater market orientation into their strategic planning process in order to acquire a competitive advantage over their rivals. Reports on exploratory research undertaken to assess the degree to which these higher education institutions are aware of the complexity of the student′s role and whether this complexity is considered in the development of an institutions mission statement. Assesses the degree to which institutions display an awareness of the various types of customer that need to be taken into consideration when formulating their strategic plans.
236 citations
TL;DR: Interruption of the putative ligand/receptor interaction could have a major effect on the growth and pathogenicity of A. fumigatus, providing opportunities for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies to those currently available.
Abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus are the most common cause of invasive mould infections worldwide and carry a high mortality. Corticosteroid therapy and Cushing's disease are associated with an increase in invasive aspergillosis. Corticosteroids impair immune function in mammals and, specifically, the conidicidal activity of human macrophages, which was thought to be sufficient explanation for this increased risk. However, we have found a 30-40% increase in growth rate of A. fumigatus and A. flavus exposed to pharmacological doses of hydrocortisone (a human glucocorticoid), suggesting an alternative or additional mechanism for the association. No significant effect was observed with other human steroids such as testosterone, oestradiol or progesterone, though a smaller (21%) but significant growth rate increase was obtained with the fungal sterol ergosterol. The presence of a ligand/receptor system is therefore possible in pathogenic Aspergillus spp. Although corticosterone-binding proteins have been identified in some yeast species, a demonstrable physiological effect has been lacking. Interruption of the putative ligand/receptor interaction could have a major effect on the growth and pathogenicity of A. fumigatus, providing opportunities for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies to those currently available.
192 citations
TL;DR: The frequency of polycystic ovaries (PCO) on ultrasound and the incidence of clear‐cut endocrine disorders leading to virilization in patients complaining of hirsutism or androgenic alopecia were determined to determine a coherent policy for the routine biochemical assessment of such women.
Abstract: Objective To determine the frequency of polycystic ovaries (PCO) on ultrasound and the incidence of clearcut endocrine disorders leading to virilization in patients complaining of hirsutism or androgenic alopecia. The major purpose was to determine a coherent policy for the routine biochemical assessment of such women. Design A prospective study of women attending a joint skin/endocrine clinic complaining of these problems. Patients Three hundred and fifty consecutive women with hirsutism and/or androgenic alopecia were assessed. Measurements Baseline endocrine screens were conducted on two occasions and included measurement of serum testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sex hormone binding globulin, LH, FSH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and PRL. The ovaries were visualized by high-resolution pelvic ultrasound scanning. Results Eight women were identified with relevant endocrine disorders; of these, one was acromegalic and one had a microprolactinoma--in both cases the association may have been fortuitous. Three had clear-cut 21-hydroxylase deficiency, one a rare hepatic enzyme deficiency (11-reductase), one a virilizing adrenal carcinoma and one a Leydig cell tumour. The latter six cases all had persistently elevated levels of serum testosterone (> 5 nmol/l). In all, 13 women had baseline testosterone levels in excess of 5 nmol/l. Polycystic ovaries were present in 81% of the cases who had erratic cycles and 52% of those with regular cycles; PCO were present in two of the women with 21-hydroxylase deficiency and in the woman with 11-oxoreductase deficiency. The Leydig cell tumour (1.2 cm diameter) was not detected on ultrasound or CT scan. Conclusions For the exclusion of enzyme deficiencies and virilizing tumours clinical assessment and a single serum testosterone measurement will suffice.
147 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that aerosolization of vomit was of major importance in transmission of infection during the outbreak of gastroenteritis and the implications for infection control are discussed.
146 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the basic principles of Generalized Beam Theory were introduced and used to analyse cold-formed sections in which distortion of the cross-section is significant, and the calculation procedure was illustrated by a detailed numerical example.
143 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the second-order terms associated with geometric nonlinearity were introduced into the basic equation of generalized beam theory to give rise to simple explicit equations for the load to cause buckling in individual modes under either axial load or uniform bending moment.
TL;DR: MRI changes, compatible with a disturbance in the water content of white matter, were present in all but 1 patient and the severity of abnormality was most strongly associated with the blood phenylalanine concentration at the time of imaging.
TL;DR: The possible functional significance of an IgG 4 response and the potential use of combined assessment of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 antibodies in serologic diagnosis and follow-up for human echinococcosis are discussed.
Abstract: Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass-specific antibody responses were investigated in both human cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. Sera were tested from 81 CE and 50 AE surgically confirmed cases using partially purified hydatid cyst fluid antigen B (EgB), and crude hydatid cyst fluid (EgCF) from Echinococcus granulosus and a protoscolex extract (EmP) prepared from E. multilocularis metacestodes. Eighty-nine percent of CE patients and 94% of AE patients were seropositive for total IgG antibodies. The dominant IgG antibody isotype in both CE and AE was IgG4, for which 73% of CE and 84% of AE cases were seropositive in the ELISA. Anti-Echinococcus IgG1 antibodies were detected in 58% of CE and 84% of AE patients. Sensitivity for IgG2 and IgG3 was significantly lower for both CE and AE patients. The IgG4 antibodies in CE patients predominantly recognized the E. granulosus antigen B subunits, i.e., at 20, 16 and 12 kD, while IgG1 antibodies primarily bound to the 38-kD subunit of antigen 5 from E. granulosus hydatid fluid. The possible functional significance of an IgG4 response and the potential use of combined assessment of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 antibodies in serologic diagnosis and follow-up for human echinococcosis are discussed.
TL;DR: The results show an age and sex dependent variation both in static and dynamic parameters, which differ, in some respects, from other studies and confirm the need for large regional studies to provide a database of normal morphometric results for a specific population.
Abstract: AIMS--To define the iliac crest histomorphometry of static variables in 234 individuals aged 16-100 years (91 men, 143 women) and of dynamic variables in 84 individuals aged 19-94 years (33 men, 51 women) from the North West of England. METHODS--Iliac crest biopsy specimens were sectioned, undecalcified, and examined using image analysis. RESULTS--The decrease in the quantity of cortical and trabecular bone and the connectivity of trabecular bone was more pronounced in women than men. This was associated with a reduction in bone formation and increased bone resorption which was greater in women at both the tissue and cellular level. Some of these histomorphometric differences first became evident at the natural menopause, and therefore provide clues as to the cause of the high prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS--These results show an age and sex dependent variation both in static and dynamic parameters, which differ, in some respects, from other studies and confirm the need for large regional studies to provide a database of normal morphometric results for a specific population.
TL;DR: This bibliographic categorization is an accompanying paper to a review of CBR by the same authors to help researchers quickly identify relevant references.
Abstract: Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is a fresh reasoning paradigm for the design of expert systems in domains that may not be appropriate for other reasoning paradigms such as model-based reasoning. As a result of this, and because of its resemblance to human reasoning, CBR has attracted increasing interest both from those experienced in developing expert systems and from novices. Although CBR is a relatively new discipline, there are an increasing number of papers and books being published on the subject. In this context, this bibliographic categorization is an accompanying paper to a review of CBR by the same authors. The objective of this paper is to help researchers quickly identify relevant references.
TL;DR: Rather than ‘urbanicity’ being an independent aetiological factor in schizophrenia, its effect may be largely explained in terms of migration and social class.
Abstract: It has long been thought that rates of mental illness are higher in cities than elsewhere, because of crowding and resultant stress. In the case of schizophrenia, there are some marked exceptions to generally higher prevalence rates in industrialised cities. Factors such as migration, culture, infectious disease, demographic rates, and other social processes may affect geographical differences in rates. The excess of schizophrenia in central city areas has been given two opposing explanations--the 'breeder' hypothesis and 'social drift'. Data on incidence from three cities are compared, but do not reveal a clear common picture. Environmental factors connected with urban living are of two main types--social and non-social--which are not mutually exclusive; 'urban' may also have a variety of meanings. Rather than 'urbanicity' being an independent aetiological factor in schizophrenia, its effect may be largely explained in terms of migration and social class.
TL;DR: The definition ofEPEC based on serotyping is inaccurate and should be replaced by methods that specifically detect the virulence properties of EPEC, as it is now apparent that many isolates belonging to these serogroups are not pathogenic or belong to other pathogenic groups of E. coli.
Abstract: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) organisms are an important cause of diarrheal disease in young children. The virulence of EPEC is a multifactorial process and involves a number of distinct stages. Initial adherence to intestinal mucosa is mediated by fimbriae which bring about a distinct form of adhesion, localized adhesion. Intimate adhesion of the bacterium to the eukaryotic membrane occurs, resulting in the activation of signal transduction pathways. Microvilli are disrupted and effaced from the apical membrane which then cups around the organism to form pedestal structures, the attaching and effacing lesion. Diarrhea may be produced by alteration of the permeability of the apical membrane and also through a malabsorption mechanism. The pathways involved in the production of the attaching and effacing lesion are described. EPEC organisms were originally thought to belong to a number of distinct serogroups; it is now apparent that many isolates belonging to these serogroups are not pathogenic or belong to other pathogenic groups of E. coli. In addition, isolates falling outside of these serogroups are considered to be true EPEC. The definition of EPEC based on serotyping is inaccurate and should be replaced by methods that specifically detect the virulence properties of EPEC.
TL;DR: The main concern of the paper is with the philosophy, underlying principles, assumptions and experiences in practice of delay-time analysis in practice, with references being given to more detailed accounts elsewhere.
TL;DR: In this article, a high-temperature catalytic membrane was used for the dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene using a hightemperature membrane reactor under isothermal conditions, and the membrane used in this study was a thin layer of Pd-23 wt% Ag on porous Vycor glass.
TL;DR: The direct transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary fossa has been used in the authors' unit since 1987 and does not require dissection of nasal mucosa or removal of septal cartilage, and compares favourably with other routes of access to the Pituitary Fossa.
Abstract: The direct transnasal transsphenoidal approach to the pituitary fossa has been used in our unit since 1987. We describe the procedure and report its use in 48 patients with pituitary lesions. Successful access to the pituitary fossa was made in 46 out of 50 operations (92%). In two cases, repeat transnasal exploration was successfully performed for recurrent tumour 3 and 5 years following an initial trans-nasal exploration.This approach is straightforward, quick and does not require dissection of nasal mucosa or removal of septal cartilage. There was a 5.8% rate of major post-operative complications, and this compares favourably with other routes of access to the pituitary fossa. No long-term nasal, septal or dental complications have occurred, such as may happen with the other routes to the sphenoid sinus and pituitary fossa.
TL;DR: In this paper, an analysis is made of private sector construction demand (quarterly new orders) grouped into housing, commercial and industrial construction, respectively and their relationship with a priori selected leading indicators of GNP, price level, real interest rate, unemployment and manufacturing profitability over the period 1974-1988.
Abstract: An analysis is made of private sector construction demand (quarterly new orders) grouped into housing, commercial and industrial construction, respectively and their relationship with a priori selected leading indicators of GNP, price level, real interest rate, unemployment and manufacturing profitability over the period 1974–1988. The results indicate that different variables explain the trends in these private sector construction demand subsectors. While construction price appeared to be an important elastic influence in housing investment, it was not found to be an important factor with respect to commercial and industrial construction. Trends in commercial and industrial constructions are explained by manufacturing profitability and economic conditions. The level of unemployment influences commercial construction only and with a negative inelastic relationship. Lead indicator forecasts of the groupings of private sector investment are above 10% accuracy due to the unusually deep cut in private constru...
08 May 1994
TL;DR: Experimental results indicate that accurate position control of a new high power/weight and power/volume braided pneumatic muscle actuator having considerable power output potential, combined with controllable motion and inherent compliance to prevent damage to handled objects.
Abstract: Problems with the control and compliance of pneumatic systems have prevented their widespread use in advanced robotics. However, their compactness, power/weight ratio and inherent safety are factors that could potentially be exploited in sophisticated dexterous manipulator designs. This paper considers the development of a new high power/weight and power/volume braided pneumatic muscle actuator (PMA) having considerable power output potential, combined with controllable motion and inherent compliance to prevent damage to handled objects. Control of these muscles is explored via adaptive pole-placement controllers. Experimental results indicate that accurate position control /spl plusmn/1/spl deg/ is feasible with power/weight outputs in excess of 1 kW/kg at 200 kPa being possible. >
TL;DR: In this article, a mixture of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) was copolymerized to 100% conversion by γ-irradiation, and the resultant solid xerogels were swollen in water to yield hydrogels of equilibrium water contents ranging from 15 to 76wt%.
Abstract: Mixtures of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) of various composition in the presence of fixed concentration of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) have been copolymerized to 100% conversion by γ-irradiation. The resultant solid xerogels were swollen in water to yield hydrogels of equilibrium water contents ranging from 15 to 76wt%. The state of water in the poly(MMA-co-VP) hydrogels has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the percentages of free freezing, freezable bound and nonfreezing water were found to vary with the xerogel composition, i.e. the degree of hydration of the hydrogels. At low equilibrium swelling, most of the water exists as a non-freezing type, whereas at higher equilibrium swelling the majority of water exists as free freezing water. The maximum number of non-freezing water molecules per VP unit in the hydrogel is about 7.5.
TL;DR: Reporting evaluations of food hygiene training programmes indicate that formal courses operated in settings divorced from the food handling environment are limited in effectiveness and evidence of consequential improved food handling behaviour is not clearly demonstrated.
Abstract: Education of food industry personnel in hygiene matters has been recommended as a means of improving food handling practices and thus the safety of food. Provision has been made within the Food Safety Act 1990 for the making of regulations to specify the nature and extent of such training. There is, however, a lack of documentary evidence of improvements in food hygiene standards which can be directly related to education or training. Evaluations of formal food hygiene education courses have identified increased knowledge levels of course participants, and improvements in the relationship between food industry and enforcement personnel by the development of common understanding. Reported evaluations of food hygiene training programmes indicate that formal courses operated in settings divorced from the food handling environment are limited in effectiveness. While course participants have increased knowledge, evidence of consequential improved food handling behaviour is not clearly demonstrated. Training pr...
TL;DR: The albumin:creatinine ratio is a better surrogate for AER than albumin concentration and its performance was better in women than men, and a direct rather than screening role is proposed in the management of diabetic nephropathy.
Abstract: One hundred and eighty-seven diabetic and 105 control subjects collected timed overnight urine samples to measure the inter-individual variation in creatinine excretion rate and its determinants, and to test the relationship between albumin excretion rate (AER) and two 'surrogate measures', the albumin concentration and albumin:creatinine ratio. Creatinine excretion was 55% higher in men than women (geometric mean 8.9 mumol min-1 (95% confidence limits 4.7-17.0) compared with 5.7 (3.0-10.9); p < 0.001). Gender accounted for 31% of the variation in creatinine excretion and body mass index 1.4%; neither age nor the diabetic state had a significant effect. The relationships between AER and the two surrogate measures differed between diabetic subjects and controls such that relationships constructed from non-diabetic data would not hold true for diabetes. Likewise, the relationship between AER and albumin:creatinine ratio differed between men and women such that a ratio of 4.0 mg mmol-1 corresponded to a predicted AER of 35 micrograms min-1 in men and 23 micrograms min-1 in women. The albumin:creatinine ratio outperformed albumin concentration in terms of sensitivity and specificity and its performance was better in women than men. We conclude that the albumin:creatinine ratio is a better surrogate for AER than albumin concentration. If 'action levels' are to be defined for screening programmes, they should be derived from diabetic and not non-diabetic data and should be different in men and women. We propose a direct rather than screening role for the albumin:creatinine ratio in the management of diabetic nephropathy.
TL;DR: This research proposes an interactive approach for producing formal specifications from English specifications using research in the area of natural language understanding to analyse English specifications in order to detect ambiguities.
Abstract: Specifications provide the foundation upon which a system can be formally developed. If a specification is wrong, then no matter what method of design is used, or what quality assurance procedures are in place, they will
not result in a system that meets the requirements.
The specification of a system involves people of different profiles who favour different representations. At the beginning natural language is used because the specification document acts as a contract between the user and the developers. Most of the time, the only representation that users understand and agree on is natural language. At the other end, developers find
natural language specifications ambiguous and incomplete and may therefore prefer formal specifications. The transition from informal specifications to formal ones is an error prone and time consuming process. This transition
must be supported to ensure that the formal specifications are consistent with the informal ones.
In this research we propose an interactive approach for producing formal specifications from English specifications. The approach uses research in the area of natural language understanding to analyse English specifications in order to detect ambiguities. The method used for analysing natural language text is based on McCord’s approach. This method consists of
translating natural language sentences into a logical form language representation.
This helps to identify ambiguities present in natural language specifications and to identify the entities and relationships. These entities and relationships are used as a basis for producing VDM data types.
We also investigate the production of data type invariants for restricted sentences and the production of some common specifications.
We test our approach by implementing it in Prolog-2 and apply it to an independent case study.
TL;DR: The results of a workshop on the structure and chemistry of CuInSe2 (CIS), held in Jackson Hole, WY (USA), are presented in this article, where issues in CIS properties and device performance are divided into those dominating common CIS and those relevant to the best CIS.
TL;DR: Perceived shortcomings in the applicability of capital equipment replacement modelling, identified in a 1987 survey within the UK are addressed and a robust replacement model formulated in the context of medical equipment where factors such as service and risk play a role in replacement decision-making.
Abstract: Perceived shortcomings in the applicability of capital equipment replacement modelling, identified in a 1987 survey within the UK are addressed and a robust replacement model formulated. First, however, a comparison between the 1987 survey and a similar 1988 survey undertaken within the USA is made and explanations for apparent differences in conclusions are presented. A replacement model is then developed in the context of medical equipment where factors such as service and risk play a role in replacement decision-making. A mechanism for quantitatively allowing for qualitative and for political type factors within a short time horizon replacement model is introduced by means of a penalty factor. A case example is presented for medical ventilator equipment.
TL;DR: The findings show that chronic trypanosomiasis in the rat model is accompanied by blood-brain barrier damage and vasogenic oedema, similar to previous descriptions.
Abstract: African sleeping sickness is characterized by progressive central nervous system (CNS) involvement, leading to the so-called secondary or late stage in which there are widespread inflammatory chang...
TL;DR: The interaction of nitric acid with a number of bases has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy in low-temperature matrices (principally argon) as mentioned in this paper.