Feedback GAP : study protocol for a cluster-randomized trial of goal setting and action plans to increase the effectiveness of audit and feedback interventions in primary care

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Isotropic soft-core potentials with two characteristic length scales and anomalous behaviour

Isotropic soft-core potentials with two characteristic length scales have been used since 40 years to describe systems with polymorphism. In the recent years intense research is showing that these potentials also display polyamorphism and several anomalies, including structural, diffusion and density anomaly. These anomalies occur in a hierarchy that resembles the anomalies of water. However, the absence of directional bonding in these isotropic potentials makes them different from water. Other systems, such as colloidal suspensions, protein solutions or liquid metals, can be well described by these family of potentials, opening the possibility of studying the mechanism generating the polyamorphism and anomalies in these complex liquids

Digital information support for concept design

This paper outlines the issues in effective utilisation of digital resources in conceptual design. Access to appropriate information acts as stimuli and can lead to better substantiated concepts. This paper addresses the issues of presenting such information in a digital form for effective use, exploring digital libraries and groupware as relevant literature areas, and argues that improved integration of these two technologies is necessary to better support the concept generation task. The development of the LauLima learning environment and digital library is consequently outlined. Despite its attempts to integrate the designers' working space and digital resources, continuing issues in library utilisation and migration of information to design concepts are highlighted through a class study. In light of this, new models of interaction to increase information use are explored

LDLR-Gene therapy for familial hypercholesterolaemia: Problems, progress, and perspectives

Coronary artery diseases (CAD) inflict a heavy economical and social burden on most populations and contribute significantly to their morbidity and mortality rates. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) associated familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is the most frequent Mendelian disorder and is a major risk factor for the development of CAD. To date there is no cure for FH. The primary goal of clinical management is to control hypercholesterolaemia in order to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and to prevent CAD. Permanent phenotypic correction with single administration of a gene therapeutic vector is a goal still needing to be achieved. The first ex vivo clinical trial of gene therapy in FH was conducted nearly 18 years ago. Patients who had inherited LDLR gene mutations were subjected to an aggressive surgical intervention involving partial hepatectomy to obtain the patient's own hepatocytes for ex vivo gene transfer with a replication deficient LDLR-retroviral vector. After successful re-infusion of transduced cells through a catheter placed in the inferior mesenteric vein at the time of liver resection, only low-level expression of the transferred LDLR gene was observed in the five patients enrolled in the trial. In contrast, full reversal of hypercholesterolaemia was later demonstrated in in vivo preclinical studies using LDLR-adenovirus mediated gene transfer. However, the high efficiency of cell division independent gene transfer by adenovirus vectors is limited by their short-term persistence due to episomal maintenance and the cytotoxicity of these highly immunogenic viruses. Novel long-term persisting vectors derived from adeno-associated viruses and lentiviruses, are now available and investigations are underway to determine their safety and efficiency in preparation for clinical application for a variety of diseases. Several novel non-viral based therapies have also been developed recently to lower LDL-C serum levels in FH patients. This article reviews the progress made in the 18 years since the first clinical trial for gene therapy of FH, with emphasis on the development, design, performance and limitations of viral based gene transfer vectors used in studies to ameliorate the effects of LDLR deficiency

The Helicobacter cinaedi antigen CAIP participates in atherosclerotic inflammation by promoting the differentiation of macrophages in foam cells

open12siopenD'Elios, Mario Milco; Vallese, Francesca; Capitani, Nagaja; Benagiano, Marisa; Bernardini, Maria Lina; Rossi, Mirko; Rossi, Gianpaolo; Ferrari, Mauro; Baldari, Cosima Tatiana; Zanotti, Giuseppe; DE BERNARD, Marina; Codolo, GaiaD'Elios, Mario Milco; Vallese, Francesca; Capitani, Nagaja; Benagiano, Marisa; Bernardini, Maria Lina; Rossi, Mirko; Rossi, Gianpaolo; Ferrari, Mauro; Baldari, Cosima Tatiana; Zanotti, Giuseppe; DE BERNARD, Marina; Codolo, Gai

Density minimum and liquid-liquid phase transition

We present a high-resolution computer simulation study of the equation of state of ST2 water, evaluating the liquid-state properties at 2718 state points, and precisely locating the liquid-liquid critical point (LLCP) occurring in this model. We are thereby able to reveal the interconnected set of density anomalies, spinodal instabilities and response function extrema that occur in the vicinity of a LLCP for the case of a realistic, off-lattice model of a liquid with local tetrahedral order. In particular, we unambiguously identify a density minimum in the liquid state, define its relationship to other anomalies, and show that it arises due to the approach of the liquid structure to a defect-free random tetrahedral network of hydrogen bonds.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Enhancing design learning using groupware

Project work is increasingly used to help engineering students integrate, apply and expand on knowledge gained from theoretical classes in their curriculum and expose students to 'real world' tasks [1]. To help facilitate this process, the department of Design, Manufacture and Engineering Management at the University of Strathclyde has developed a web±based groupware product called LauLima to help students store, share, structure and apply information when they are working in design teams. This paper describes a distributed design project class in which LauLima has been deployed in accordance with a Design Knowledge Framework that describes how design knowledge is generated and acquired in industry, suggesting modes of design teaching and learning. Alterations to the presentation, delivery and format of the class are discussed, and primarily relate to embedding a more rigorous form of project-based learning. The key educational changes introduced to the project were: the linking of information concepts to support the design process; a multidisciplinary team approach to coaching; and a distinction between formal and informal resource collections. The result was a marked improvement in student learning and ideation