3,880 research outputs found
Genetic improvement and utilisation of indigenous tilapia in southern Africa: final technical report, December 1st 1998 to June 31st, 2002
Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is an indigenous tilapia species in southern Africa, until now the majority of genetic research has been carried out on Asian species of tilapia but this project aims to look at this African species. Those most suited to further development in aquaculture in southern Africa have now been
identified. The genetic characterisation of strains has been completed. This information has aided the choice of strains for use in small scale aquaculture and for genetically male tilapia (GMT) production. They will form the basis of future strategies for further genetic improvement, and management of genetic diversity of Mozambique tilapia. The information will also contribute towards responsible management and development of
genetic resources, particularly with regard to indigenous species of tilapia. Good progress has been made with the adaptation and implementation of producing the supermale fish required to produce all male offspring, resulting in faster growing populations of tilapia. The presence of the project and its associated activity has been a catalyst for a surge in interest in tilapia culture throughout southern Africa. [PDF contains 183 pages
Vagal nerve stimulation therapy: what is being stimulated?
Vagal nerve stimulation in cardiac therapy involves delivering electrical current to the vagal sympathetic complex in patients experiencing heart failure. The therapy has shown promise but the mechanisms by which any benefit accrues is not understood. In this paper we model the response to increased levels of stimulation of individual components of the vagal sympathetic complex as a differential activation of each component in the control of heart rate. The model provides insight beyond what is available in the animal experiment in as much as allowing the simultaneous assessment of neuronal activity throughout the cardiac neural axis. The results indicate that there is sensitivity of the neural network to low level subthreshold stimulation. This leads us to propose that the chronic effects of vagal nerve stimulation therapy lie within the indirect pathways that target intrinsic cardiac local circuit neurons because they have the capacity for plasticity
Fluid flow analysis by a modified, white light, Lau interferometer
This paper presents a sharp focussing schlieren system based upon a modified Lau interferometer. A method of reducing the depth of focus of the system is demonstrated and the development of the system to study large fields of view by theincorporation of flexible membrane mirrors is discussed
Measurements of Grain Motion in a Dense, Three-Dimensional Granular Fluid
We have used an NMR technique to measure the short-time, three-dimensional
displacement of grains in a system of mustard seeds vibrated vertically at 15g.
The technique averages over a time interval in which the grains move
ballistically, giving a direct measurement of the granular temperature profile.
The dense, lower portion of the sample is well described by a recent
hydrodynamic theory for inelastic hard spheres. Near the free upper surface the
mean free path is longer than the particle diameter and the hydrodynamic
description fails.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Liquid Metal Sources in Ion Microscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
This paper reports on state-of-the-art developments in liquid metal sources and some of the finer points of their operating characteristics that are especially relevant to the satisfactory functioning of analytical ion scanning microscopes equipped with secondary ion mass spectrometers. Such effects include unwanted emissions from the source and their exclusion by means of filters and mass separators in the ion-optical column. The design of the ion-optical column is also discussed and some applications of this rapidly advancing form of analytical microscopy are described
Findings from a pilot randomised trial of an asthma internet self-management intervention (RAISIN)
<b>Objective </b>To evaluate the feasibility of a phase 3
randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a website (Living
Well with Asthma) to support self-management.<p></p>
<b>Design and setting</b> Phase 2, parallel group, RCT,
participants recruited from 20 general practices across
Glasgow, UK. Randomisation through automated voice
response, after baseline data collection, to website
access for minimum 12 weeks or usual care.<p></p>
<b>Participants </b>Adults (age≥16 years) with physician
diagnosed, symptomatic asthma (Asthma Control
Questionnaire (ACQ) score ≥1). People with unstable
asthma or other lung disease were excluded.<p></p>
<b>Intervention</b> Living Well with Asthma’ is a desktop/
laptop compatible interactive website designed with
input from asthma/ behaviour change specialists, and
adults with asthma. It aims to support optimal
medication management, promote use of action plans,
encourage attendance at asthma reviews and increase
physical activity.<p></p>
<b>Outcome measures</b> Primary outcomes were
recruitment/retention, website use, ACQ and mini-
Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).
Secondary outcomes included patient activation,
prescribing, adherence, spirometry, lung inflammation
and health service contacts after 12 weeks. Blinding
postrandomisation was not possible.<p></p>
<b>Results </b>Recruitment target met. 51 participants
randomised (25 intervention group). Age range
16–78 years; 75% female; 28% from most deprived
quintile. 45/51 (88%; 20 intervention group) followed
up. 19 (76% of the intervention group) used the
website, for a mean of 18 min (range 0–49). 17 went
beyond the 2 ‘core’ modules. Median number of logins
was 1 (IQR 1–2, range 0–7). No significant difference
in the prespecified primary efficacy measures of ACQ
scores (−0.36; 95% CI −0.96 to 0.23; p=0.225), and
mini-AQLQ scores (0.38; −0.13 to 0.89; p=0.136). No
adverse events.<p></p>
<b>Conclusions</b> Recruitment and retention confirmed
feasibility; trends to improved outcomes suggest use of
Living Well with Asthma may improve self-management
in adults with asthma and merits further development
followed by investigation in a phase 3 trial
- …