2,048 research outputs found
Transforming Data into Knowledge
Hans Selye, the first major researcher of stress coined the word âstressâ in 1936 and defined it as âa non-specific response of the body to any demand for changeâ. Selye (1974) is of the view that stress is a facet of life which human beings cannot avoid. In fact he confidently declares that âtotal freedom from stress is deathâ Selye (1976) stated that stress in moderate levels enhances function. Kaplan and Sadock (2000) in their study on students also found out that moderate stress among students enhances learning ability. Pfeiffer (2001) emphasizes that stress helps students to peak their performance. However, stressors become a problem when they are excessive and tend to decrease the function of the individual
Addressing patient treatment preferences at trial recruitment.
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A comparison of multiple regression computer programs and their usefulness in analysis of variance
This research will examine the multiple regression programs from major statistical packages and document for each the statistical procedure used, the cost, the difficulty of use, and the output. Each program will be utilized for analyses of variance in balanced and unbalanced designs with an interest in determining the accuracy of and the statistical techniques employed by each package. The regression procedures, while using dummy variables, are superior to the ANOVA subroutines for the solution to ANOVA. All four packages studied have regression programs that can be used in an unbalanced ANOVA. The REGR procedure in SAS is best for the standard form of regression, while SPSS and BMD are best for stepwise regression. All packages have the limitation of not giving all types of correct analyses. Therefore, Appendix 4 gives an ANOVA program written for the Programming Language One Optimizing Compiler for a two factor design that will give five correct analyses
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Corticotropinoma as a Component of Carney Complex.
Known germline gene abnormalities cause one-fifth of the pituitary adenomas in children and adolescents, but, in contrast with other pituitary tumor types, the genetic causes of corticotropinomas are largely unknown. In this study, we report a case of Cushing disease (CD) due to a loss-of-function mutation in PRKAR1A, providing evidence for association of this gene with a corticotropinoma. A 15-year-old male presenting with hypercortisolemia was diagnosed with CD. Remission was achieved after surgical resection of a corticotropin (ACTH)-producing pituitary microadenoma, but recurrence 3 years later prompted reoperation and radiotherapy. Five years after the original diagnosis, the patient developed ACTH-independent Cushing syndrome, and a diagnosis of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease was confirmed. A PRKAR1A mutation (c.671delG, p.G225Afs*16) was detected in a germline DNA sample from the patient, which displayed loss of heterozygosity in the corticotropinoma. No other germline or somatic mutations of interest were found. As corticotropinomas are not a known component of Carney complex (CNC), we performed loss of heterozygosity and messenger RNA stability studies in the patient's tissues, and analyzed the effect of Prkar1a silencing on AtT-20/D16v-F2 mouse corticotropinoma cells. No PRKAR1A defects were found among 97 other pediatric CD patients studied. Our clinical case and experimental data support a role for PRKAR1A in the pathogenesis of a corticotroph cell tumor. This is a molecularly confirmed report of a corticotropinoma presenting in association with CNC. We conclude that germline PRKAR1A mutations are a novel, albeit apparently infrequent, cause of CD
The Politics of Service Delivery Reform
This article identifies the leaders, the supporters and the resisters of public service reform. It adopts a principalâagent framework, comparing reality with an âidealâ situation in which citizens are the principals over political policy-makers as their agents, and policy-makers are the principals over public service officials as their agents. Reform in most developing countries is complicated by an additional set of external actors â international financial institutions and donors. In practice, international agencies and core government officials usually act as the âprincipalsâ in the determination of reforms. The analysis identifies the interests involved in reform, indicating how the balance between them is affected by institutional and sectoral factors. Organizational reforms, particularly in the social sectors, present greater difficulties than first generation economic policy reforms
Guidelines on the use of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry in Geomorphic Research
As a topographic modelling technique, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry combines the utility of digital photogrammetry with a flexibility and ease of use derived from multi-view computer vision methods. In conjunction with the rapidly increasing availability of imagery, particularly from unmanned aerial vehicles, SfM photogrammetry represents a powerful tool for geomorphological research. However, to fully realize this potential, its application must be carefully underpinned by photogrammetric considerations, surveys should be reported in sufficient detail to be repeatable (if practical) and results appropriately assessed to understand fully the potential errors involved. To deliver these goals, robust survey and reporting must be supported through (i) using appropriate survey design, (ii) applying suitable statistics to identify systematic error (bias) and to estimate precision within results, and (iii) propagating uncertainty estimates into the final data products
Guidelines on the use of Structure from Motion Photogrammetry in Geomorphic Research
As a topographic modelling technique, structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry combines the utility of digital photogrammetry with a flexibility and ease of use derived from multi-view computer vision methods. In conjunction with the rapidly increasing availability of imagery, particularly from unmanned aerial vehicles, SfM photogrammetry represents a powerful tool for geomorphological research. However, to fully realize this potential, its application must be carefully underpinned by photogrammetric considerations, surveys should be reported in sufficient detail to be repeatable (if practical) and results appropriately assessed to understand fully the potential errors involved. To deliver these goals, robust survey and reporting must be supported through (i) using appropriate survey design, (ii) applying suitable statistics to identify systematic error (bias) and to estimate precision within results, and (iii) propagating uncertainty estimates into the final data products
Precision Nutrition and the Microbiome, Part I: Current State of the Science
peer-reviewedThe gut microbiota is a highly complex community which evolves and adapts to its host
over a lifetime. It has been described as a virtual organ owing to the myriad of functions it performs,
including the production of bioactive metabolites, regulation of immunity, energy homeostasis and
protection against pathogens. These activities are dependent on the quantity and quality of the
microbiota alongside its metabolic potential, which are dictated by a number of factors, including
diet and host genetics. In this regard, the gut microbiome is malleable and varies significantly from
host to host. These two features render the gut microbiome a candidate âorganâ for the possibility of
precision microbiomicsâthe use of the gut microbiome as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to
specific dietary constituents to generate precision diets and interventions for optimal health. With this
in mind, this two-part review investigates the current state of the science in terms of the influence of
diet and specific dietary components on the gut microbiota and subsequent consequences for health
status, along with opportunities to modulate the microbiota for improved health and the potential of
the microbiome as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to dietary components. In particular, in Part
I, we examine the development of the microbiota from birth and its role in health. We investigate the
consequences of poor-quality diet in relation to infection and inflammation and discuss diet-derived
microbial metabolites which negatively impact health. We look at the role of diet in shaping the
microbiome and the influence of specific dietary components, namely protein, fat and carbohydrates,
on gut microbiota composition
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