293,828 research outputs found
Systematic analysis of funding awarded to institutions in the United Kingdom for infectious disease research, 1997-2010.
No full textOBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the research investments made to UK institutions for all infectious disease research and identify the direction of spend by institution. DESIGN: Systematic analysis. Databases and websites were systematically searched for information on relevant studies funded for the period 1997-2010. SETTING: UK institutions carrying out infectious disease research. PARTICIPANTS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Twenty academic institutions receiving greatest sum investments across infection are included here, also NHS sites, Sanger Institute, Health Protection Agency and the Medical Research Council. We measured total funding, median award size, disease areas and position of research along the R&D value chain. RESULTS: Included institutions accounted for £2.1 billion across 5003 studies. Imperial College and University of Oxford received the most investment. Imperial College led the most studies. The Liverpool and London Schools of Tropical Medicine had highest median award size, whereas the NHS sites combined had many smaller studies. Sum NHS funding appears to be declining over time, whilst university income is relatively stable. Several institutions concentrate almost exclusively on pre-clinical research. In some areas, there is clearly a leading institution, e.g. Aberdeen and mycology research or UCL and antimicrobial resistance. CONCLUSION: UK institutions carry out research across a wide range of infectious disease areas. This analysis can identify centres of excellence and help inform future resource allocation for research priorities. Institutions can use this analysis for establishing expertise within their groups, identifying external collaborators and informing local research strategy
Exploring the integration of Mathematics and Music within the STEAM Framework: Insights from the Medieval Quadrivium
No full textVariability of blowfly head optomotor responses
No full textRosner R, Egelhaaf M, Grewe J, Warzecha A-K. Variability of blowfly head optomotor responses. Journal of Experimental Biology. 2009;212(8):1170-1184
Desmoid tumors of the head and neck: A therapeutic challenge
No full textItem does not contain fulltextDesmoid tumor, or aggressive fibromatosis, is a rare, histologically benign, fibroblastic lesion that infrequently presents in the head and neck. Desmoid tumors often grow locally, invasively, and may, in rare instances, be fatal secondary to invasion into critical structures, such as airway or major vessels. The most common treatment is surgery, but desmoid tumors are characteristically associated with a high local recurrence rate after resection. Although the margin status seems to be of importance, operations that avoid function loss and esthetic disfigurement should be the primary goal. The efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy is controversial. Its potential benefit should be carefully balanced against possible radiation-induced adverse effects. Alternative treatment modalities, such as primary radiotherapy and medical treatment or a wait-and-see policy, may be preferable to mutilating surgery. Considering all the aforementioned, it seems obvious that desmoid tumors of the head and neck present a therapeutic challenge and require an individualized approach. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 36: 1517-1526, 2014
Comparison of early literacy attitudes of Head Start teachers and the frequency of literacy activities in Wisconsin Head Start classrooms
No full textPlan BHead Start began a school readiness focus in 2000 with an emphasis on accountability when the National Head Start Bureau issued an outcomes framework for all Head Start programs. This was followed up by President Bush’s early childhood initiative, Good Start, Grow Smart. This initiative focused on early literacy and national accountability for all Head Start programs. In response to the national early literacy emphasis, the researcher developed a teacher survey to focus on early literacy attitudes, importance of early literacy activities and frequency of early literacy activities in Head Start classrooms. Demographic information was utilized to compare years of experience and educational level of teachers to attitudes and importance of early literacy in Head Start. Data was collected by sending a survey to 200 Head Start teachers in 56 Head Start agencies throughout the state of Wisconsin in February, 2002. One hundred forty six surveys were returned to the researcher, which yields a return rate of 73%. The Head Start teachers in Wisconsin were asked to participate in the study through their Head Start Director. The Head Start Directors asked teachers in their programs to complete the surveys. If the teachers wished to participate in the study, they completed the survey and returned it in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Level of teacher education and years of teaching experience made a difference in early literacy in Head Start classrooms. As educational level increases, attitudes about early literacy tend to also increase. A statistical significant difference was found at the .05 level between teachers with Associate degrees from those with Bachelor and Master level degrees. Along with early literacy attitudes increasing with educational attainment, the researcher also concluded that teachers feel more skilled teaching early literacy activities as their educational level increases. A significant difference at the .01 level was found between teachers with CDA’s, Associate and Bachelor degrees from those with Master’s degrees. As with level of education, a significant difference was found when comparing early literacy attitudes with years of teaching experience. Teachers with 3-5 years experience scored significantly different at the .05 level from those with 6-10 years of experience. Teachers with 6-10 years of experience scored highest in section two of the survey, attitudes about literacy. Teachers with 2 years or less of teaching experience scored the highest in section three of the survey, importance of teaching early literacy skills and teachers with 11 years or more of teaching experience scored highest on section four of the survey, frequency of literacy activities. This study would be beneficial if repeated one year from now, once the Head Start teachers have been trained in the CIRLCE literacy model and have had a chance to implement literacy strategies in the classroom. Comparing current early literacy attitudes, early literacy importance and frequency early literacy activities may be very different one year from now in Head Start classrooms based on continued training and mentoring support within their programs. The information collected though this survey was very useful in delineating necessary literacy training and technical assistance areas for Head Start teachers. Teachers reported spending the least amount of time on helping students to find letters in words and act out events from stories. These activities are two important literacy aspects for young children to experience. The data also showed teachers with 2 years or less teaching experience reported the highest scores in importance of early literacy skills. It is important for training and technical assistance providers to appreciate teacher differences based on years of teaching experience and level of education
Virtual Tumor Boards for Remote Learning in Head and Neck Surgical Oncology
No full textImportance: In addition to their patient management value, multidisciplinary tumor boards have been recognized as effective learning tools. However, the value of using a virtual tumor board as a learning tool for head and neck surgical oncology fellows has not been studied.
Objective: To describe the structure and content of the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) Virtual Tumor Board and assess its educational value as perceived by attendees.
Design, setting, and participants: All sessions of the AHNS Virtual Tumor Board from April 8, 2020, to June 1, 2022, were reviewed. Topics, presenters, participants, and viewership data were collected as of October 15, 2022, from session recordings posted to an online video sharing and social media platform. Additionally, an anonymous, 14-question online survey was designed to elicit feedback from head and neck surgery trainees on virtual tumor board engagement, strengths, and weaknesses. The survey was electronically distributed in June and July 2022 to the 101 fellows enrolled in AHNS-accredited programs between July 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022.
Main outcomes and measures: The primary aim was to tabulate online viewership of the sessions. The secondary aim was to qualitatively assess the experience of head and neck trainees with the AHNS Virtual Tumor Board using a survey.
Results: Forty-two sessions of the virtual tumor board were held between April 8, 2020, and June 1, 2022. Almost all sessions (41 [98%]) were case based. One hundred and sixteen cases were presented, representing 2 to 3 cases per session, by 75 unique faculty members. Each session was viewed a mean of 217 times (range, 64-2216 views). In the 2021 to 2022 academic year, a mean of 60 viewers (range, 30-92 viewers) attended each live session. In all, 29 survey responses were collected from 101 fellows in AHNS-accredited programs (29% response rate). Most respondents felt the format allowed for excellent teaching (18 of 26 respondents [69%]) and discussion (19 of 26 respondents [73%]). Most respondents (22 of 29 respondents [76%]) believed that practicing head and neck surgeons would benefit from the sessions.
Conclusions and relevance: This survey study found that the AHNS Virtual Tumor Board was well-attended and well-reviewed by head and neck surgical oncology trainees. The virtual tumor board format could be used as model of remote learning for other organizations
Systematic analysis of funding awarded for norovirus research to institutions in the United Kingdom, 1997-2010.
No full textObjectivesNorovirus infections pose great economic and disease burden to health systems around the world. This study quantifies the investments in norovirus research awarded to UK institutions over a 14-year time period.DesignA systematic analysis of public and philanthropic infectious disease research investments awarded to UK institutions between 1997 and 2010.ParticipantsNoneSettingUK institutions carrying out infectious disease research.Main outcome measuresTotal funding for infectious disease research, total funding for norovirus research, position of norovirus research along the R&D value chain.ResultsThe total dataset consisted of 6165 studies with sum funding of £2.6 billion. Twelve norovirus studies were identified with a total funding of £5.1 million, 0.2% of the total dataset. Of these, eight were categorized as pre-clinical, three as intervention studies and one as implementation research. Median funding was £200,620.ConclusionsResearch funding for norovirus infections in the UK appears to be unacceptably low, given the burden of disease and disability produced by these infections. There is a clear need for new research initiatives along the R&D value chain: from pre-clinical through to implementation research, including trials to assess cost-effectiveness of infection control policies as well as clinical, public health and environmental interventions in hospitals, congregate settings and in the community
Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma: Initial Clinical Outcomes
No full textBackground
The purpose of this study was to report outcomes of proton therapy in head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 26 patients treated between 2004 and 2012. Twenty patients (77%) had base of skull involvement; 19 (73%) were treated for initial disease and 7 (27%) for recurrent disease. Twenty patients were treated postoperatively, 6 after biopsy alone and 24 had positive margins or gross residual disease. Median dose delivered was 72 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]).
Results
Median follow-up was 25 months (range, 7–50 months). The 2-year overall survival was 93% for initial disease course and 57% for recurrent disease (p = .19). The 2-year local control was 95% for initial disease and 86% for recurrent disease (p = .48). The 2-year distant metastatic rate was 25%. Late toxicity of grade 0 or 1 was seen in 17 patients, grade 2 in 5, grade 3 in 2, grade 4 in 1, and grade 5 in 1.
Conclusion
Initial outcomes of proton therapy are encouraging. Longer follow-up is required
Corrected head position.
No full textBackground: Historically, many reference lines and planes of the human skull have been used in an attempt to depict the head in a natural head position (NHP) which is a relaxed/balanced position when looking ahead at their eye level. Head position correction has been attempted in fields such as anatomy, art, anthropology, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, plastic surgery, and forensics. In orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and plastic surgery, corrected head position (CHP) is particularly important for diagnosis of the normality/protrusion/retrusion of the patient’s facial skeleton. Usually a single plane, such as Frankfurt horizontal, is used to correct head position, but its angulation is variable between individuals, because each individual’s anatomy is unique. It has been found previously that the Neutral Horizontal Axis (NHA), Frankfurt horizontal (FH), Krogman-Walker plane (KW plane), and Palatal plane (P plane) demonstrated near parallelism, and these planes averaged -1 to -2 degrees from the true horizontal (HOR, which is a horizontal plane determined as being perpendicular to the earth’s gravitational force) with subjects in NHP. Methods: Craniofacial planes were measured in an Aboriginal Australian sample and in two contemporary samples obtained from Australian orthodontic practices, and the findings were compared with previous studies. Each sample consisted of 40 individuals (20 males and 20 females) with subjects in NHP. The Aboriginal Australian sample was longitudinal (T1, mean age 10 years; T2, mean age 14 years, and T3, mean age 18 years) enabling NHP to be assessed over approximately 8 years. A soft tissue Ear - nose plane (EN plane) was also investigated. Results: NHP reproducibility over 8 years demonstrated a mean of absolute difference of 2.9 degrees, with a range of differences from -7.9 to 8.2 degrees and a standard deviation of differences equal to 3.6 degrees. The Neutral Horizontal Axis (NHA), Frankfurt horizontal (FH), Krogman-Walker plane (KW plane), and Palatal plane (P plane) demonstrated near parallelism with each other, and averaged between 0 and -3 degrees from HOR. On average, EN plane was horizontal but was variable. Conclusions: NHP is not consistently reproducible at the individual level. For hard tissue images, the combined use of NHA, FH, KW plane, and P plane enables prediction of CHP. Additionally, the rectangular shape of the lower orbit - nasal airway region appears to be useful for correcting head position. In facial soft tissue images, EN plane in combination with other visual factors helps to correct head position. Simple geometry enables this head position correction to be performed from any view of the head where relevant landmarks are seen.Thesis (D.Clin.Dent.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Dentistry, 200
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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