Search

BackgroundStudies have reported elevated rates of dissociative symptoms and comorbid dissociative disorders in functional neurological disorder (FND); however, a comprehensive review is lacking.AimsTo systematically review the severity of dissociative symptoms and prevalence of comorbid dissociative disorders in FND and summarise their biological and clinical associations.MethodWe searched Embase, PsycInfo and MEDLINE up to June 2021, combining terms for FND and dissociation. Studies were eligible if reporting dissociative symptom scores or rates of comorbid dissociative disorder in FND samples. Risk of bias was appraised using modified Newcastle–Ottawa criteria. The findings weresynthesised qualitatively and dissociative symptom scores were included in a meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42020173263).ResultsSeventy-five studies were eligible (FND n = 3940; control n = 3073), most commonly prospective case–control studies (k = 54). Dissociative disorders were frequently comorbid in FND. Psychoform dissociation was elevated in FND compared with healthy (g = 0.90, 95% CI 0.66–1.14, I2 = 70%) and neurologicalcontrols (g = 0.56, 95% CI 0.19–0.92, I2 = 67%). Greater psychoform dissociation was observed in FND samples with seizure symptoms versus healthy controls (g = 0.94, 95% CI 0.65–1.22, I2 = 42%) and FND samples with motor symptoms (g = 0.40, 95% CI −0.18 to 1.00, I2 = 54%). Somatoform dissociation was elevated in FND versus healthy controls (g = 1.80, 95% CI 1.25–2.34,I2 = 75%). Dissociation in FND was associated with more severe functional symptoms, worse quality of life and brain alterations.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the potential clinical utility of assessing patients with FND for dissociative symptomatology. However, fewer studies investigated FND samples with motor symptoms and heterogeneity between studies and risk of bias were high. Rigorous investigation of the prevalence, features and mechanistic relevance of dissociation in FND is needed.

This paper describes a process of assessment reform designed to enhance Work Integrated Learning (WIL) approaches for two science courses at an Australian university. The project used a mixed-method approach involving online surveys, interviews, focus groups and workshops to gather student, industry and course team knowledge and understanding of WIL approaches to curricula. The investigation centred on the perceived value of collaborating with industry to facilitate enhancements in authentic assessment and on the barriers to, and challenges in, achieving successful outcomes. The action-research project, WIL-on-Campus (WoC), found that assessments oriented toward the inclusion of authentic tasks and processes, that contribute to the employability learning and job-readiness of students, is deemed important to students, industry and academics. However, reforms to assessment practice and process are required. For greatest impact, this study found that assessment reform processes require two critical interdependent factors: the socialisation of the shared institutional value of embedded WIL approaches to assessment, and the provision of top-down support to enable academic course teams to implement the ‘imposed’ changes. Further to this, while academics viewed the changes in approach to assessment design as challenging, they also noted that a shift is timely and believed that a course-wide WIL approach is possible and advantageous.

Many universities claim to provide flexible learning opportunities, but most still require students to keep pace with prescribed curriculum delivery and assessment deadlines, and few have disrupted the academiccalendar. In this paper, we report on an innovation called ‘Start anytime’ that was purposefully designed to break from a trimester model and instead give students the flexibility to study in their own space andpace online. Here we report on measures put in place to support students during self-paced online study, and share insights from research investigating students’ expectations and experience of ‘Start anytime’.For many students, the self-management required for self-paced study was a challenge, but for most students those challenges were out weighted by the benefits of flexible learning. Importantly, the majorityof students thought that access to learning support and teaching staff was the same or better in ‘Start anytime’ units than in a timetabled unit, and many students found that self-paced study was easier andmore enjoyable. Thus, we have shown that where it is carefully designed and supported, self-paced online learning and disruption of the academic calendar, can have considerable benefits for experienced adult learners who have difficulty fitting study around their busy lives.

This paper analyses parts of speech in a training corpus with 13,189 learning outcomes in which Bloom’s Taxonomy levels were previously classified by human experts for 3,496 subjects offered at an Australian university. This paper explores the automatic identification of verbs and other parts of speech impacting the semantic meaning and Bloom’s classification of learning outcome statements. The frequency with which words in learning outcomes appear as different parts of speech and at different Bloom’s levels is described as a preliminary step of a larger project that aims to automatically classify Bloom’s levels using a combination of table lookup and machine learning approaches. It is indicated that automated parts of speech classification can assist human learning and teaching designers to write clearer learning outcome statements. This is in addition to playing a role in automated Bloom’s Taxonomy classification, and identifying cases requiring

In response to government, industry, student and central University calls for initiatives to enhance graduate employability as a means for improved employment outcomes, a faculty within an Australian university formulated a five-year Work Integrated Learning (WIL) strategy (2015-2019). The Faculty goal was to re-new, develop, implement and evaluate scalable and sustainable intentional WIL-focused authentic curricula across every undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) course by the end of 2019. A ‘WIL Leadership Framework’ underpinned the whole-of-course team approach. This paper reports on the change-management processes and behaviours necessary to effect change from the bottom-up. Fostering academic staff capacity to build course-appropriate WIL curriculum has been slow and subtle and yet significant refinements to intentional and embedded WIL curriculum have occurred through a series of grounded research studies and curriculum renewal projects. WIL champions (the innovators), earmarked as change agents for enabling scalable curriculum transformation and renewal, were ‘hunted-out’ and nurtured. Their role was to influence teachers to enact context-specific and discipline-based WIL experiences into the curriculum. The main research findings to date reveal that STEM-specific WIL frameworks, concepts and assessment examples, presented as scholarly curriculum choices by WIL experts, and then actively and collegially discussed amongst the WIL champions and WIL early adopters, has been the most effective process to date for developing a WIL centred curriculum. The paper concludes by addressing the current operational goals predicated to have an impact on graduate employment for the Faculty.

The purpose of undergraduate engineering education is to develop graduates who are capable of commencing professional engineering practice. Professional education should equip graduates with the skills, knowledge and attitudes required for their initial professional practice. It should also enable the capacity to continue the professional development required to refresh knowledge and skills as the graduates mature and the nature of professional engineering work develops. However, it is true that many graduates from professional engineering programs, either immediately or at some later time, pursue a career outside of professional engineering. The reasons for this are widely speculated upon, and are no doubt complex. In this regard, the professional engineering workforce, the undergraduate engineering education system, the links between them, and the occupational outcomes for engineering graduates in Australia are similar to many other developed nations. Using the latest Australian national census data we present a detailed analysis of the makeup of the professional engineering workforce and the occupational outcomes for graduates of undergraduate engineering programs in Australia. The data show that the Australian professional engineering workforce is comprised of people with a wide range of educational qualifications, and, even immediately post-graduation, many Australian engineering graduates pursue non-engineering occupations. This analysis presents important findings for those designing undergraduate engineering curricula that seek to equip students for the best employment outcomes, given the nature of the professional engineering work environment, and the short- and long-term occupations that engineering graduates actually pursue in Australia.

Background Fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis are genetic syndromes that both have a high rate of comorbidity with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several lines of evidence suggest that these two monogenic disorders may converge at a molecular level through the dysfunction of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Methods To explore the characteristics of transcriptomic changes in these monogenic disorders, we profiled genome-wide gene expression levels in cerebellum and blood from murine models of fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. Results Differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways were distinct for the two murine models examined, with the exception of immune response-related pathways. In the cerebellum of the Fmr1 knockout (Fmr1- KO) model, the neuroactive ligand receptor interaction pathway and gene sets associated with synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation, gap junction, and axon guidance were the most significantly perturbed pathways. The phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway was significantly dysregulated in both cerebellum and blood of Fmr1-KO mice. In Tsc2 heterozygous (+/−) mice, immune system-related pathways, genes encoding ribosomal proteins, and glycolipid metabolism pathways were significantly changed in both tissues. Conclusions Our data suggest that distinct molecular pathways may be involved in ASD with known but different genetic causes and that blood gene expression profiles of Fmr1- KO and Tsc2+/− mice mirror some, but not all, of the perturbed molecular pathways in the brain.

Background: perineal suturing is a common event which affects women across a variety o finternational settings. Women have expressed pain related to perinea ltrauma in the postnatal period but little is known about pain during suturing. In addition, there is a lack of evidence to identify how professional decisions are made about pain management during the suturing process. Objective: to explore women and clinician's response to pain during the suturing of second degree tears and episiotomies. Design: mixed method feasibility study which included observation, questionnaires and interviews. Setting: a Hospital Trust in Northwest England. Participants: 40 women and 21 clinicians participated. Measurements and findings: mild, moderate and severe pain was measured via the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form(MCPQ-SF). Psychological distress was identified via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Semi-structured face to face interviews identified three themes, Psychological distress and future functioning; Variation in practice and Style of communication. Key conclusions: women who experienced psychological distress during previous or current childbirth scored higher on HADS and MCPQ-SF, and appeared to express more concerns about future functioning and healing. Variation in practice exists and style of communication had the potential to make the difference for women. Implications for practice and research: the process of suturing is complex and is not a standalone event for a woman. It is crucial that health professionals consider previous and subsequent experience of perineal suturing. Future research aims to develop a decision tree to support pain management during suturing.

A version of the Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) has been included in the Graduate Careers Council of Australia national survey of university graduates from 1993 onward. In addition to the quantitative response items noted above, the CEQ also includes an invitation to respondents to write open-ended comments on the best aspects (BA) of their university course experience and those aspects most needing improvement (NI).

Background: perineal suturing is a common event which affects women across a variety o finternational settings. Women have expressed pain related to perinea ltrauma in the postnatal period but little is known about pain during suturing. In addition, there is a lack of evidence to identify how professional decisions are made about pain management during the suturing process. Objective: to explore women and clinician's response to pain during the suturing of second degree tears and episiotomies. Design: mixed method feasibility study which included observation, questionnaires and interviews. Setting: a Hospital Trust in Northwest England. Participants: 40 women and 21 clinicians participated. Measurements and findings: mild, moderate and severe pain was measured via the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form(MCPQ-SF). Psychological distress was identified via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Semi-structured face to face interviews identified three themes, Psychological distress and future functioning; Variation in practice and Style of communication. Key conclusions: women who experienced psychological distress during previous or current childbirth scored higher on HADS and MCPQ-SF, and appeared to express more concerns about future functioning and healing. Variation in practice exists and style of communication had the potential to make the difference for women. Implications for practice and research: the process of suturing is complex and is not a standalone event for a woman. It is crucial that health professionals consider previous and subsequent experience of perineal suturing. Future research aims to develop a decision tree to support pain management during suturing.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) provides rich, relevant learning through a partnership between universities and employers. Through a collaborative approach to building knowledge, the capability and capacity of experienced WIL leaders in the university and orkplace will be enhanced for improved student outcomes. Having established how and where WIL leadership is situated, the project will identify the critical challenges to WIL leadership capabilities and structures. Through institutionally-based Master Classes that model and employ a distributed learning approach, through national Communities of Practice and a WIL Leadership Summit, a framework and guidelines to support WIL leadership capacity building nationally will be developed, trialled and validated. The project will draw upon expertise and experiences of staff from five Australian universities, each with a demonstrated strong WIL commitment. The distributive leadership approach to WIL will be developed and tested within employer-based individual disciplines. The framework and guidelines will be sustained nationally through the key WIL professional association, the Australian Collaborative Education Network.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates for breast cancer have increased significantly among Chinese women, accompanied by low utilization of breast screening and delay in symptom presentation. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore (1) views on breast cancer and breast health among Chinese women in the United Kingdom and (2) the potential influence of social and cultural context on views and screening behavior. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 22 Chinese women. Pertinent aspects of Grounded Theory methods, including simultaneous data collection and analysis, constant comparison, and memo writing, were used. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: cultural views on breast cancer, information sources and knowledge, breast screening practice, and views on healthcare services. The theme views on breast cancer had 3 subthemes: a fearful disease, taboo, and fatalism. Aspects of traditional Chinese culture had important influences on Chinese women's views on breast cancer. Self-care formed the most significant strategy to promote health and prevent illness. Although the study found high utilization of breast screening when offered, only 6 women reported breast awareness practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that traditional beliefs were not the sole determinant of breast health behavior. The way in which breast screening services are offered in the United Kingdom may reduce the significance of cultural views and shape individuals' health behavior. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings indicate that information on breast awareness should be delivered to this group of women in Chinese by health professionals through Chinese mass media.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates for breast cancer have increased significantly among Chinese women, accompanied by low utilization of breast screening and delay in symptom presentation. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore (1) views on breast cancer and breast health among Chinese women in the United Kingdom and (2) the potential influence of social and cultural context on views and screening behavior. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 22 Chinese women. Pertinent aspects of Grounded Theory methods, including simultaneous data collection and analysis, constant comparison, and memo writing, were used. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: cultural views on breast cancer, information sources and knowledge, breast screening practice, and views on healthcare services. The theme views on breast cancer had 3 subthemes: a fearful disease, taboo, and fatalism. Aspects of traditional Chinese culture had important influences on Chinese women's views on breast cancer. Self-care formed the most significant strategy to promote health and prevent illness. Although the study found high utilization of breast screening when offered, only 6 women reported breast awareness practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that traditional beliefs were not the sole determinant of breast health behavior. The way in which breast screening services are offered in the United Kingdom may reduce the significance of cultural views and shape individuals' health behavior. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings indicate that information on breast awareness should be delivered to this group of women in Chinese by health professionals through Chinese mass media.

CONTEXT: Both positive and negative results have been reported in the literature from the use of acupressure at the P6 point, providing evidence of highly suggestive but not conclusive results. OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether acupressure is effective in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. METHODS: A randomized, three-group, sham-controlled trial was designed. Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomized to receive standardized antiemetics and acupressure wristbands, sham acupressure wristbands, or antiemetics alone. Primary outcome assessment (nausea) was carried out daily for seven days per chemotherapy cycle over four cycles. Secondary outcomes included vomiting, psychological distress, and quality of life. RESULTS: Five hundred patients were randomized. Primary outcome analysis (nausea in Cycle 1) revealed no statistically significant differences between the three groups, although nausea levels in the proportion of patients using wristbands (both real and sham) were somewhat lower than those in the proportion of patients using antiemetics-only group. Adjusting for gender, age, and emetic risk of chemotherapy, the odds ratio of lower nausea experience was 1.18 and 1.42 for the acupressure and sham acupressure groups, respectively. A gender interaction effect was evident (P = 0.002). No significant differences were detected in relation to vomiting, anxiety, and quality-of-life measures. CONCLUSION: No clear recommendations can be made about the use of acupressure wristbands in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting as results did not reach statistical significance. However, the study provided evidence of encouraging signals in relation to improved nausea experience and warrants further consideration in both practice and further clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with the ISRCT register, number ISRCTN87604299.

CONTEXT: Both positive and negative results have been reported in the literature from the use of acupressure at the P6 point, providing evidence of highly suggestive but not conclusive results. OBJECTIVES: To clarify whether acupressure is effective in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. METHODS: A randomized, three-group, sham-controlled trial was designed. Patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomized to receive standardized antiemetics and acupressure wristbands, sham acupressure wristbands, or antiemetics alone. Primary outcome assessment (nausea) was carried out daily for seven days per chemotherapy cycle over four cycles. Secondary outcomes included vomiting, psychological distress, and quality of life. RESULTS: Five hundred patients were randomized. Primary outcome analysis (nausea in Cycle 1) revealed no statistically significant differences between the three groups, although nausea levels in the proportion of patients using wristbands (both real and sham) were somewhat lower than those in the proportion of patients using antiemetics-only group. Adjusting for gender, age, and emetic risk of chemotherapy, the odds ratio of lower nausea experience was 1.18 and 1.42 for the acupressure and sham acupressure groups, respectively. A gender interaction effect was evident (P = 0.002). No significant differences were detected in relation to vomiting, anxiety, and quality-of-life measures. CONCLUSION: No clear recommendations can be made about the use of acupressure wristbands in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting as results did not reach statistical significance. However, the study provided evidence of encouraging signals in relation to improved nausea experience and warrants further consideration in both practice and further clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial is registered with the ISRCT register, number ISRCTN87604299.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates for breast cancer have increased significantly among Chinese women, accompanied by low utilization of breast screening and delay in symptom presentation. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore (1) views on breast cancer and breast health among Chinese women in the United Kingdom and (2) the potential influence of social and cultural context on views and screening behavior. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 22 Chinese women. Pertinent aspects of Grounded Theory methods, including simultaneous data collection and analysis, constant comparison, and memo writing, were used. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: cultural views on breast cancer, information sources and knowledge, breast screening practice, and views on healthcare services. The theme views on breast cancer had 3 subthemes: a fearful disease, taboo, and fatalism. Aspects of traditional Chinese culture had important influences on Chinese women's views on breast cancer. Self-care formed the most significant strategy to promote health and prevent illness. Although the study found high utilization of breast screening when offered, only 6 women reported breast awareness practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that traditional beliefs were not the sole determinant of breast health behavior. The way in which breast screening services are offered in the United Kingdom may reduce the significance of cultural views and shape individuals' health behavior. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings indicate that information on breast awareness should be delivered to this group of women in Chinese by health professionals through Chinese mass media.

BACKGROUND: Incidence rates for breast cancer have increased significantly among Chinese women, accompanied by low utilization of breast screening and delay in symptom presentation. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to explore (1) views on breast cancer and breast health among Chinese women in the United Kingdom and (2) the potential influence of social and cultural context on views and screening behavior. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were carried out with 22 Chinese women. Pertinent aspects of Grounded Theory methods, including simultaneous data collection and analysis, constant comparison, and memo writing, were used. RESULTS: Four themes emerged: cultural views on breast cancer, information sources and knowledge, breast screening practice, and views on healthcare services. The theme views on breast cancer had 3 subthemes: a fearful disease, taboo, and fatalism. Aspects of traditional Chinese culture had important influences on Chinese women's views on breast cancer. Self-care formed the most significant strategy to promote health and prevent illness. Although the study found high utilization of breast screening when offered, only 6 women reported breast awareness practices. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that traditional beliefs were not the sole determinant of breast health behavior. The way in which breast screening services are offered in the United Kingdom may reduce the significance of cultural views and shape individuals' health behavior. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Findings indicate that information on breast awareness should be delivered to this group of women in Chinese by health professionals through Chinese mass media.

Australia national survey of graduates from 1993 onward. In addition to quantitative items, the CEQ also includes an invitation to respondents to write open-ended comments on the best aspects (BA) of their university course experience and those most needing improvement (NI). These responses provide a rich source additional information that can help in understanding what students had in mind when agreeing or disagreeing with the CEQ response items. Based on more than 160,000 comments from students graduating from 14 Australian universities over the period 2001-2004, Scott (2006) developed a five domain model (Outcomes, Staff, Course design, Assessment and Support) for the classification of CEQ comments, as well as a software package (CEQuery) to automate the analysis of CEQ BA and NI comment data. While computer automated comment analysis is convenient, there are a number of known limitations to this approach, and where the number of student comments is not large, manual coding/classification is a viable, and arguably superior, approach.

A family 15 carbohydrate esterase (CE15) from the white-rot basidiomycete, Phanerochaete carnosa (PcGCE), was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 and was expressed from the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Like other CE15 enzymes, PcGCE hydrolyzed methyl-4-O-methyl-d-glucopyranuronate and could target ester linkages that contribute to lignin-carbohydrate complexes that form in plant cell walls. Three independently transformed Arabidopsis lines were evaluated in terms of nine morphometric parameters, total sugar and lignin composition, cell wall anatomy, enzymatic saccharification and xylan extractability. The transgenic lines consistently displayed a leaf-yellowing phenotype, as well as reduced glucose and xylose content by as much as 30% and 35%, respectively. Histological analysis revealed 50% reduction in cell wall thickness in the interfascicular fibres of transgenic plants, and FT-IR microspectroscopy of interfascicular fibre walls indicated reduction in lignin cross-linking in plants overexpressing PcGCE. Notably, these characteristics could be correlated with improved xylose recovery in transgenic plants, up to 15%. The current analysis represents the first example whereby a fungal glucuronoyl esterase is expressed in Arabidopsis and shows that the promotion of glucuronoyl esterase activity in plants can alter the extent of intermolecular cross-linking within plant cell walls.

Aims. This article is a report of a study that aimed to establish a national picture of the implementation of Review recommendations over time in both Mental Health Trusts and Higher Education Institutions (Universities) in England. Background. The 2006 Review of Mental Health Nursing in England by the Chief Nursing Officer made 17 key recommendations for Mental Health Trusts and Universities to improve mental health nursing. This article outlines key findings from a national survey of National Health Service Trusts and Universities in England with regard to prioritization and progress on implementation of these recommendations. Methods. An e-survey was carried out in 2008-2009 based on the Chief Nursing Officer review recommendations and guidance. Participants included all Trusts which delivered mental health services (n=68) and Universities which delivered pre-registration mental health nursing education (n=50) in England. Results. There appears to be some evidence that the Chief Nursing Officer review of Mental Health Nursing in England continues to be implemented in both Mental Health Trusts and Universities. There is variety in levels of implementation, but Mental Health Trusts and Universities broadly agree on priority areas. Conclusions. The Chief Nursing Officer review has been influential in focusing the care and education of mental health nurses and services in England. There appears to be a range of barriers and facilitators which aid the implementation of healthcare policy. More attention is required from researchers to enhance and evaluate the impact of policy implementation on the quality of care provided. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Aims. This article is a report of a study that aimed to establish a national picture of the implementation of Review recommendations over time in both Mental Health Trusts and Higher Education Institutions (Universities) in England. Background. The 2006 Review of Mental Health Nursing in England by the Chief Nursing Officer made 17 key recommendations for Mental Health Trusts and Universities to improve mental health nursing. This article outlines key findings from a national survey of National Health Service Trusts and Universities in England with regard to prioritization and progress on implementation of these recommendations. Methods. An e-survey was carried out in 2008-2009 based on the Chief Nursing Officer review recommendations and guidance. Participants included all Trusts which delivered mental health services (n=68) and Universities which delivered pre-registration mental health nursing education (n=50) in England. Results. There appears to be some evidence that the Chief Nursing Officer review of Mental Health Nursing in England continues to be implemented in both Mental Health Trusts and Universities. There is variety in levels of implementation, but Mental Health Trusts and Universities broadly agree on priority areas. Conclusions. The Chief Nursing Officer review has been influential in focusing the care and education of mental health nurses and services in England. There appears to be a range of barriers and facilitators which aid the implementation of healthcare policy. More attention is required from researchers to enhance and evaluate the impact of policy implementation on the quality of care provided. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Objectives: To design and administer an attitude rating scale, exploring colorectal cancer patients’ views of involvement in decision making. To examine the impact of socio-demographic and/or treatment-related factors on decision making. To conduct principal components analysis to determine if the scale could be simplified into a number of factors for future clinical utility. Methods: An attitude rating scale was constructed based on previous qualitative work and administered to colorectal cancer patients using a cross-sectional survey approach. Results: 375 questionnaires were returned (81.7% response). For patients it was important to be informed and involved in the decision-making process. Information was not always used to make decisions as patients placed their trust in medical expertise. Women had more positive opinions on decision making and were more likely to want to make decisions. Written information was understood to a greater degree than verbal information. The scale could be simplified to a number of factors, indicating clinical utility. Conclusion: Few studies have explored the attitudes of colorectal cancer patients towards involvement in decision making. This study presents new insights into how patients view the concept of participation; important when considering current policy imperatives in the UK of involving service users in all aspects of care and treatment.

Objectives: To design and administer an attitude rating scale, exploring colorectal cancer patients’ views of involvement in decision making. To examine the impact of socio-demographic and/or treatment-related factors on decision making. To conduct principal components analysis to determine if the scale could be simplified into a number of factors for future clinical utility. Methods: An attitude rating scale was constructed based on previous qualitative work and administered to colorectal cancer patients using a cross-sectional survey approach. Results: 375 questionnaires were returned (81.7% response). For patients it was important to be informed and involved in the decision-making process. Information was not always used to make decisions as patients placed their trust in medical expertise. Women had more positive opinions on decision making and were more likely to want to make decisions. Written information was understood to a greater degree than verbal information. The scale could be simplified to a number of factors, indicating clinical utility. Conclusion: Few studies have explored the attitudes of colorectal cancer patients towards involvement in decision making. This study presents new insights into how patients view the concept of participation; important when considering current policy imperatives in the UK of involving service users in all aspects of care and treatment.

Objectives: To design and administer an attitude rating scale, exploring colorectal cancer patients’ views of involvement in decision making. To examine the impact of socio-demographic and/or treatment-related factors on decision making. To conduct principal components analysis to determine if the scale could be simplified into a number of factors for future clinical utility. Methods: An attitude rating scale was constructed based on previous qualitative work and administered to colorectal cancer patients using a cross-sectional survey approach. Results: 375 questionnaires were returned (81.7% response). For patients it was important to be informed and involved in the decision-making process. Information was not always used to make decisions as patients placed their trust in medical expertise. Women had more positive opinions on decision making and were more likely to want to make decisions. Written information was understood to a greater degree than verbal information. The scale could be simplified to a number of factors, indicating clinical utility. Conclusion: Few studies have explored the attitudes of colorectal cancer patients towards involvement in decision making. This study presents new insights into how patients view the concept of participation; important when considering current policy imperatives in the UK of involving service users in all aspects of care and treatment.

Objectives: To design and administer an attitude rating scale, exploring colorectal cancer patients’ views of involvement in decision making. To examine the impact of socio-demographic and/or treatment-related factors on decision making. To conduct principal components analysis to determine if the scale could be simplified into a number of factors for future clinical utility. Methods: An attitude rating scale was constructed based on previous qualitative work and administered to colorectal cancer patients using a cross-sectional survey approach. Results: 375 questionnaires were returned (81.7% response). For patients it was important to be informed and involved in the decision-making process. Information was not always used to make decisions as patients placed their trust in medical expertise. Women had more positive opinions on decision making and were more likely to want to make decisions. Written information was understood to a greater degree than verbal information. The scale could be simplified to a number of factors, indicating clinical utility. Conclusion: Few studies have explored the attitudes of colorectal cancer patients towards involvement in decision making. This study presents new insights into how patients view the concept of participation; important when considering current policy imperatives in the UK of involving service users in all aspects of care and treatment.

Stomata, dynamic pores found on the surfaces of plant leaves, control water loss from the plant and regulate the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis [1]. Stomatal aperture is controlled by the two guard cells that surround the stomatal pore [1]. When the two guard cells are fully turgid, the pore gapes open, whereas turgor loss results in stomatal closure. In order to set the most appropriate stomatal aperture for the prevailing environmental conditions, guard cells respond to multiple internal and external signals [2]. Although much is known about guard-cell signaling pathways [2-9], rather little is known about how changes in gene expression are involved in the control of stomatal aperture [10]. We show here that AtMYB61 (At1g09540), a gene encoding a member of the Arabidopsis thaliana R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors, is specifically expressed in guard cells in a manner consistent with involvement in the control of stomatal aperture. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutant analyses reveal that AtMYB61 expression is both sufficient and necessary to bring about reductions in stomatal aperture with consequent effects on gas exchange. Taken together, our data provide evidence that AtMYB61 encodes the first transcription factor implicated in the closure of stomata.

Stomata, dynamic pores found on the surfaces of plant leaves, control water loss from the plant and regulate the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis [1]. Stomatal aperture is controlled by the two guard cells that surround the stomatal pore [1]. When the two guard cells are fully turgid, the pore gapes open, whereas turgor loss results in stomatal closure. In order to set the most appropriate stomatal aperture for the prevailing environmental conditions, guard cells respond to multiple internal and external signals [2]. Although much is known about guard-cell signaling pathways [2-9], rather little is known about how changes in gene expression are involved in the control of stomatal aperture [10]. We show here that AtMYB61 (At1g09540), a gene encoding a member of the Arabidopsis thaliana R2R3-MYB family of transcription factors, is specifically expressed in guard cells in a manner consistent with involvement in the control of stomatal aperture. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutant analyses reveal that AtMYB61 expression is both sufficient and necessary to bring about reductions in stomatal aperture with consequent effects on gas exchange. Taken together, our data provide evidence that AtMYB61 encodes the first transcription factor implicated in the closure of stomata.

The Populus–Poplar Mosaic Virus (PopMV) pathosystem is the best characterized of all forest tree–virus interactions. The details of the host response to this virus are completely unknown. The transcript abundance for approximately 10 000 Populus genes was simultaneously interrogated using spotted cDNA microarrays. Relative transcript abundance was compared for RNA extracted from Populus leaves that were untreated, mock-inoculated leaves that were wounded by leaf abrasion and inoculated leaves that were abraded and then infected by virus. Statistical analysis of the microarray data identified suites of genes that exhibited increased or decreased transcript abundance in response to wounding, systemic PopMV infection or both together. Genes implicated in programmed cell death, and cell wall reinforcement were a major feature of the wound response, whereas genes encoding metallothionein-like proteins, and proteins implicated in cell wall remodelling were a major feature of the PopMV response. The identification of wound- and PopMV-regulated genes opens the door for future studies aimed at testing specific hypotheses related to the mechanisms used by forest trees to contend with stress.

La próxima generación de científicosde las ciencias naturales, está en estemomento haciendo sus estudios depregrado –y el éxito de esta generación dependede la calidad de la educación que reciban. Esclaro que las expectativas para la educación depregrado están cambiando (Collins et al. 2003).

Electronic access restricted; authentication may be required, 0299223302, 0299223345, American Council of Learned Societies History E-Book Project, (heb) heb08405.0001.001, http://hdl.handle.net/2027/heb.08405, Permission must be received for any subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please contact info@hebook.org for more information.

Experimental data for the thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, specific heat, and emittance of 0 and 0, 45, 90, 135sub s laminates of HTS/NR 150B2 and HTS/PMR 15 are presented. Measurements were made over the temperature range 116 K to 588 K (-250 F to 600 F). Results for the two materials were similar with some differences attributable to laminate quality. Higher expansion coefficients for the HTS/PMR 15 specimens in the resin-dominated directions indicate a higher coefficient for PMR 15 than NR 150B2. (MM)

The primary objectives of the program were to select a series of plastics and composites by a survey of the Aerospace Companies, most likely to be used for cryogenic applications, and to determine the thermophysical properties of these materials from -423 to 75F. This information is required for use in the design of current and proposed missiles and space vehicles which utilize cryogenic propellants or are exposed to the cryogenic conditions of a space environment. Existing room temperature test methods for the determination of specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion were modified so that measurements could be made at temperatures down to -423F. Seventeen materials were evaluated. Thermal conductivity measurements on laminated materials parallel to a continuous reinforcement were as much as four times as high as measurements made normal to the reinforcement. The use of higher conductivity reinforcements resulted in higher conductivity laminates. Thermal expansion measurements on laminated materials showed that in the direction normal to the reinforcement, the component with the largest coefficient of thermal expansion has the greatest influence on the overall expansion. In directions parallel to the reinforcement, the expansion of the higher modulus component controlled the overall expansion. (Author), See also Part 2, AD-464 555.

Objective To compare traditional hospital follow-up with telephone follow-up by specialist nurses after treatment for breast cancer. Design A two centre randomised equivalence trial in which women remained in the study for a mean of 24 months. Setting Outpatient clinics in two NHS hospital trusts in the north west of England Participants 374 women treated for breast cancer who were at low to moderate risk of recurrence. Interventions Participants were randomised to traditional hospital follow-up (consultation, clinical examination, and mammography as per hospital policy) or telephone follow-up by specialist nurses (consultation with structured intervention and mammography according to hospital policy). Main outcome measures Psychological morbidity (state-trait anxiety inventory, general health questionnaire (GHQ-12)), participants’ needs for information, participants’ satisfaction, clinical investigations ordered, and time to detection of recurrent disease. Results The 95% confidence interval for difference in mean state-trait scores adjusted for treatment received (−3.33 to 2.07) was within the predefined equivalence region (−3.5 to 3.5). The women in the telephone group were no more anxious as a result of foregoing clinic examinations and face-to-face consultations and reported higher levels of satisfaction than those attending hospital clinics (intention to treat P<0.001). The numbers of clinical investigations ordered did not differ between groups. Recurrences were few (4.5%), with no differences between groups for time to detection (median 60.5 (range 37-131) days in hospital group v 39.0 (10-152) days in telephone group; P=0.228). Conclusions Telephone follow-up was well received by participants, with no physical or psychological disadvantage. It is suitable for women at low

Objective To compare traditional hospital follow-up with telephone follow-up by specialist nurses after treatment for breast cancer. Design A two centre randomised equivalence trial in which women remained in the study for a mean of 24 months. Setting Outpatient clinics in two NHS hospital trusts in the north west of England Participants 374 women treated for breast cancer who were at low to moderate risk of recurrence. Interventions Participants were randomised to traditional hospital follow-up (consultation, clinical examination, and mammography as per hospital policy) or telephone follow-up by specialist nurses (consultation with structured intervention and mammography according to hospital policy). Main outcome measures Psychological morbidity (state-trait anxiety inventory, general health questionnaire (GHQ-12)), participants’ needs for information, participants’ satisfaction, clinical investigations ordered, and time to detection of recurrent disease. Results The 95% confidence interval for difference in mean state-trait scores adjusted for treatment received (−3.33 to 2.07) was within the predefined equivalence region (−3.5 to 3.5). The women in the telephone group were no more anxious as a result of foregoing clinic examinations and face-to-face consultations and reported higher levels of satisfaction than those attending hospital clinics (intention to treat P<0.001). The numbers of clinical investigations ordered did not differ between groups. Recurrences were few (4.5%), with no differences between groups for time to detection (median 60.5 (range 37-131) days in hospital group v 39.0 (10-152) days in telephone group; P=0.228). Conclusions Telephone follow-up was well received by participants, with no physical or psychological disadvantage. It is suitable for women at low

Part I of this thesis is concerned essentially with structure elucidations of naturally-occurring plant sesquiterpenoids. To this end, the utility of derivatization of certain functional groups has been investigated in Part II, in order that spectroscopic data may be supplemented and structure elucidation facilitated.