Search

Nurse researchers who seek to study the experiences of adolescents have limited resources to assist them with the process. Although some elements of interviewing are standard practice, special approaches are needed for the adolescent participating in research. Interviews are especially challenging. The purpose of this article is to present strategies to assist researchers as they engage this cohort in research. These strategies include evaluating the adolescent's developmental level, designing developmentally appropriate questions, and refining interviewing techniques to optimize the experience for the participants. Strategies presented are useful to clinicians who wish to establish a therapeutic rapport with young patients. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on service failure and recovery has to date tended to focus on American experiences or on single nation studies. As large numbers of service firms continue to seek opportunities in foreign markets, more effort needs to be directed at assessing cross-national similarities and differences so that appropriate strategies can be developed. This study compares the effects of failure and recovery strategies in the restaurant sector of two countries with very different dining traditions—the United States and Ireland. Analysis of over 700 personal interviews with restaurant customers shows that there is much commonality with regard to service failures but significant differences in recovery efforts. Especially noteworthy, however is that American customers are much more likely to expect such measures. In both countries, overcompensation methods do not appear to influence customer repeat patronage intentions, nor do they have significant influence on the rating of recovery effort. This last finding suggests that restaurants could and should use less expensive recovery methods. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Investigates the mode of triclosan binding to isonicotinic acid hydrazide (Inh) A. Identification of additional lead compounds that act directly on Mycobacterium tuberculosis InhA; Determination of the structure of InhA with triclosan.

Imaging spectroscopy provides the opportunity to monitor nutrient status of vegetation. In crops, prior studies have generally been limited in scope, either to a small wavelength range (e.g., 400–1300 nm), a small number of crop cultivars, a single growth stage or single growing season. Methods that are not time- or site-specific are needed to use imaging spectroscopy for routine monitoring of crop status. Using data from four cultivars of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), three growth stages and two growing seasons, we demonstrate the capacity of full-range (400–2350 nm) imaging spectroscopy to quantify nutrient status (petiole nitrate, whole leaf and vine total nitrogen) and predict tuber yield in potatoes across cultivars, growth stages and growing seasons. We specifically tested the capabilities of: (1) ordinary least-squares regression (OLSR) using traditional hyperspectral vegetation indices (VIs); (2) partial least-squares regression (PLSR) using full spectrum (400–2350 nm), VNIR- (visible-to-near infrared: 400–1300 nm) or SWIR-only (shortwave infrared: 1400–2350 nm) wavelengths; (3) predictive models developed for one potato type or planting season on withheld data from a different type or season. Our results show that OLSR models produced poor predictions with data from all dates pooled together (validation R 2 < 0.01). Single-date OLSR models performed better (R 2 = 0.20–0.60, relative RMSE = 15–30%). PLSR models performed well and were comparable using different spectral regions (full-spectrum, VNIR-only and SWIR-only), with validation R 2 = 0.68–0.82 and RRMSE = 12–25%. Testing across potato types, models produced reliable predictions (R 2 = 0.45–0.75, RRMSE = 13–30%), but with some bias. Cross-season models had validation R 2 = 0.46–0.75 and RRMSE = 17–100%, with a more significant bias than the cross-potato type models. To achieve models that are generalizable and robust, we recommend: (1) obtaining ground measurements that capture the full range of plant growth conditions and developmental stages, and (2) ensuring that image processing approaches minimize spectral discrepancies among dates. • Aerial hyperspectral data are used for modelling potato plant nitrogen. • Three nitrogen variables (petiole NO3-N, leaf and canopy N) are modelled. • SWIR wavelength are important for modelling crop N variables. • Cultivar- or season-specific models show prediction bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firewood roomheaters are popular, widespread and important for reaching European CO 2 emission targets. Since they contribute significantly to local air pollution, they have to be optimized towards minimal emission release, especially in real-life operation. Draught conditions and user behavior, particularly the ignition technique, significantly affect the emission and efficiency performance of firewood roomheaters. This study assessed the effects of the respective parameters experimentally. The results revealed a clear correlation between draught conditions and thermal efficiency. Increased draught conditions up to 48 Pa significantly decreased thermal efficiency by 6%–11% absolutely. However, for gaseous emissions no clear trend was observed. Accordingly, CO and OGC emissions increased at higher draught conditions for one tested roomheater by 30% and 60%, but decreased for two other tested roomheaters by 13%–45%. For PM emissions no effect of increased draught conditions was evident. Top-down ignition technique did not lead to a significant decrease of PM emissions compared to bottom-up ignition. In contrast, bottom-up ignition led to best thermal efficiencies. The use of either spruce or beech as kindling material revealed no significant relevance for the ignition performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]