Oral Presentations: Preparation and Performance

A short lecture on presentation skills in an academic environment

International conference paper presentations: A multimodal analysis to determine effectiveness

International conference presentations represent one of the biggest challenges for academics using English as a Lingua Franca (ELF). This paper aims to initiate exploration into the multimodal academic discourse of oral presentations, including the verbal, written, non-verbal material (NVM) and body language modes. It offers a Systemic Functional Linguistic (SFL) and multimodal framework of presentations to enhance mixed-disciplinary ELF academics' awareness of what needs to be taken into account to communicate effectively at conferences. The model is also used to establish evaluation criteria for the presenters' talks and to carry out a multimodal discourse analysis of four well-rated 20-min talks, two from the technical sciences and two from the social sciences in a workshop scenario. The findings from the analysis and interviews indicate that: (a) a greater awareness of the mode affordances and their combinations can lead to improved performances; (b) higher reliance on the visual modes can compensate for verbal deficiencies; and (c) effective speakers tend to use a variety of modes that often overlap but work together to convey specific meanings. However, firm conclusions cannot be drawn on the basis of workshop presentations, and further studies on the multimodal analysis of ‘real conferences’ within specific disciplines are encouraged.

Regional workshops on bicycle safety : presentations, participant problems, programs and ideas, and recommendations /

Mode of access: Internet.

Evaluation of alternative technical markers for the pelvic coordinate system

In this study, we evaluated alternative technical markers for the motion analysis of the pelvic segment. Thirteen subjects walked eight times while tri-dimensional kinematics were recorded for one stride of each trial. Five marker sets were evaluated, and we compared the tilt, obliquity, and rotation angles of the pelvis segment: (1) standard: markers at the anterior and posterior superior iliac spines (ASIS and PSIS); (2) markers at the PSIS and at the hip joint centers, HJCs (estimated by a functional method and described with clusters of markers at the thighs); (3) markers at the PSIS and HJCs (estimated by a predictive method and described with clusters of markers at the thighs); (4) markers at the PSIS and HJCs (estimated by a predictive method and described with skin-mounted markers at the thighs based on the Helen-Hayes marker set); (5) markers at the PSIS and at the iliac spines. Concerning the pelvic angles, evaluation of the alternative technical marker sets evinced that all marker sets demonstrated similar precision across trials (about 1 degrees) but different accuracies (ranging from 1 degrees to 3 degrees) in comparison to the standard marker set. We suggest that all the investigated marker sets are reliable alternatives to the standard pelvic marker set. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photoinduced Degradation of the Herbicide Clomazone Model Reactions for Natural and Technical Systems

The photodegradation of the herbicide clomazone in the presence of S(2)O(8)(2-) or of humic substances of different origin was investigated. A value of (9.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(8) m(-1) s(-1) was measured for the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of sulfate radicals with clomazone in flash-photolysis experiments. Steady state photolysis of peroxydisulfate, leading to the formation of the sulfate radicals, in the presence of clomazone was shown to be an efficient photodegradation method of the herbicide. This is a relevant result regarding the in situ chemical oxidation procedures involving peroxydisulfate as the oxidant. The main reaction products are 2-chlorobenzylalcohol and 2-chlorobenzaldehyde. The degradation kinetics of clomazone was also studied under steady state conditions induced by photolysis of Aldrich humic acid or a vermicompost extract (VCE). The results indicate that singlet oxygen is the main species responsible for clomazone degradation. The quantum yield of O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) generation (lambda = 400 nm) for the VCE in D(2)O, Phi(Delta) = (1.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(-3), was determined by measuring the O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) phosphorescence at 1270 nm. The value of the overall quenching constant of O(2)(a(1)Delta(g)) by clomazone was found to be (5.7 +/- 0.3) x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1) in D(2)O. The bimolecular rate constant for the reaction of clomazone with singlet oxygen was k(r) = (5.4 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) m(-1) s(-1), which means that the quenching process is mainly reactive.

Technical and economical evaluation of a harvester, working under different spacing and planting arrangement conditions in eucalypts plantations

Plantation spacing selection has the primary objective of assigning each tree enough space for maximum growth and best quality to be attained with a minimum cost. From the harvest standpoint, an increase in stand density directly implies a decrease of individual tree volume, reducing also harvester productive capacity. The objective of this research is to assess the effects of several initial spacings and arrangements in eucalyptus plantations on production capacity, operational capacity and costs of forest harvester. Real operational data were collected from two eucalypt plantations at different initial spacing of 6.0, 7.5, 9.0, 12 and 18 m(2) per tree. Simulation data were obtained from a forest harvester simulator. Using spacing (E), mean tree volume (MV), diameter at breast height (DBH) and height (H) values, a stepwise regression test procedure was run, and correlations computed in order to measure their participation in operational capacity. Operational costs were computed with an accounting method proposed by FAO. Mean tree volume (MV) explained 88% of forest harvester operational capacity. Spacing (E) affected 8.5% of harvester operational capacity; wider spacings were related to higher individual tree volumes. Harvesting operation costs were lower in wider spaced treatments.

Brazilian Network of Food Data Systems and LATINFOODS Regional Technical Compilation Committee: Food composition activities (2006-2009)

The Brazilian Network of Food Data Systems (BRASILFOODS) has been keeping the Brazilian Food Composition Database-USP (TBCA-USP) (http://www.fcf.usp.br/tabela) since 1998. Besides the constant compilation, analysis and update work in the database, the network tries to innovate through the introduction of food information that may contribute to decrease the risk for non-transmissible chronic diseases, such as the profile of carbohydrates and flavonoids in foods. In 2008, data on carbohydrates, individually analyzed, of 112 foods, and 41 data related to the glycemic response produced by foods widely consumed in the country were included in the TBCA-USP. Data (773) about the different flavonoid subclasses of 197 Brazilian foods were compiled and the quality of each data was evaluated according to the USDAs data quality evaluation system. In 2007, BRASILFOODS/USP and INFOODS/FAO organized the 7th International Food Data Conference ""Food Composition and Biodiversity"". This conference was a unique opportunity for interaction between renowned researchers and participants from several countries and it allowed the discussion of aspects that may improve the food composition area. During the period, the LATINFOODS Regional Technical Compilation Committee and BRASILFOODS disseminated to Latin America the Form and Manual for Data Compilation, version 2009, ministered a Food Composition Data Compilation course and developed many activities related to data production and compilation. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesis summary: Standardized dried extracts of Brazilian medicinal plants: Assessment of technical and economic feasibility of spouted bed drying

This study is an integral part of a research project which seeks the establishment of protocols for the production of standardized herbal dried extracts emphasizing the spouted bed drying. This thesis was conducted at faculty of Pharmaceutical Science of Ribeiro Preto/University of So Paulo, Brazil, under supervision of Prof. Dr. Wanderley Pereira Oliveira*, defended on September 28, 2007.

Assessment of Swedish snus for tobacco harm reduction: technical appendix

This technical appendix details the methods used in an assessment of the potential of snus for tobacco harm reduction using simulation modelling.

The effect of repeated prepulse and reflex stimulus presentations on startle prepulse inhibition

The magnitude of a startle reflex is inhibited if the reflex-eliciting stimuli is preceded by a prepulse stimulus at a short lead interval. Previous research in humans has shown that the extent of prepulse inhibition decreases over repeated presentations of reflex stimuli and prepulse-reflex stimulus pairings. The present study (N=70) investigated the effect of repeated presentations of prepulse stimuli, reflex stimuli, or prepulse-reflex stimulus pairings on prepulse inhibition. Five groups of subjects were presented during habituation training with either (a) reflex stimuli, (b) prepulse-reflex stimulus pairings, (c) a random sequence of prepulse and reflex stimuli, (d) prepulse stimuli, or (e) experimentally irrelevant light stimuli. Prepulse inhibition was reduced if startle stimuli were presented during habituation ((a), (b), (c)), but not after repeated presentation of the prepulse or the light stimulus ((d), (e)). The reduction in prepulse inhibition was abolished after dishabituation of the startle reflex. The present results indicate that habituation of the startle reflex can result in a reduction of prepulse inhibition. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Some challenging group presentations

We study some challenging presentations which arise as groups of deficiency zero. In four cases we settle finiteness: we show that two presentations are for finite groups while two are fur infinite groups. Thus we answer three explicit questions in the literature and we provide the first published deficiency zero presentation for a group with derived length seven. The tools we use are coset enumeration and Knuth-Bendix rewriting, which are well-established as methods for proving finiteness or otherwise of a finitely presented group. We briefly comment on their capabilities and compare their performance.

Rationalization, Kunstwollen and technical means of expressivity. The example of the romantic piano

This article seeks to retrace some of the empirical, historical and sociological elements of Max Weber Sociology of music. Even if he is first and foremost interested in the process of rationalisation throughout western civilisation, his Sociology of music is founded on the idea of the technical medium, which he explores in several different directions. This idea will be examined here by means of several examples drawn from western music, particularly from the romantic piano repertoire.

Arteriovenous fistula for chronic hemodialysis in pediatric candidates for renal transplantation: Technical details and refinements

AVFs may be considered the best type of venous access for chronic hemodialysis in pediatric patients with more than 20 kg who are not likely to receive a kidney transplant or be transitioned to peritoneal dialysis within one yr. The aim of the study was to report the experience in the creation of AVFs in pediatric candidates for renal transplantation using microsurgical vascular techniques, with emphasis on the details of the surgical technique. Forty children underwent 50 fistula creations - 31 radial-cephalic, 11 brachial-cephalic, five brachial-basilic and three saphenous-femoral. The vein was anastomosed to the artery in an end-to-lateral fashion by using two separate 8/0 prolene running sutures. The overall patency rate was 76.0%:22 (70.9%) of the radial-cephalic fistulas, nine (81.8%) of the brachial-cephalic, five (100.0%) of the brachial-basilic and two (66.6%) of the saphenous-femoral. There was no significant difference in patency rates between the brachial-cephalic, brachial-basilic and radial-cephalic fistulas. The incidences of fistula patency were not different for patients weighing < 20 kg compared with patients weighing > 20 kg. AVF remains as a satisfactory method for providing hemodialysis in children. The utilization of microsurgical techniques with some technical refinements described herein permits the achievement of high fistula patency rates.

Transanal endorectal pull-through in children with Hirschsprung`s disease-technical refinements and comparison of results with the Duhamel procedure

Purpose: Transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) has drastically changed the treatment of Hirschsprung`s disease (HD). A short follow-up of children Submitted to TEPT reveals results that are similar to the classic transabdominal pull-through procedures. However, few reports compare the late results of TEPT with transabdominal pull-through procedures with respect to complication rates and the fecal continence. The aims of the present work are to describe some technical refinements that we introduced in the procedure and to compare the short and long-term outcome of TEPT with the outcomes of a group of patients with HD who previously underwent the Duhamel procedure. Methods: Thirty-five patients who underwent TEPT were prospectively studied and compared to a group of 29 patients who were treated with colostomy followed by a classical Duhamel pull-through. The main modifications introduced in the TEPT group were no preoperative colon preparation, operation conducted under general anesthesia in addition to regional sacral anesthesia, use of only one purse-string Suture in the rectal mucosa before transanal submucosal dissection, and no use of retractors and electrocautery during file submucosal dissection. Results: The most frequent early complications of TEPT group were perineal dermatitis (22.8%) and anastomotic strictures (8.6%). The comparison with patients who underwent Duhamel procedure revealed no difference in the incidence of preoperative enterocolitis, the patients of the TEPT group were younger at the time of diagnosis and of surgery, they had shorter operating times, and they began oral feeding more quickly after the operation. The incidence of wound infection was lower in the TEPT group. Moreover, the TEPT and Duhamel groups showed no difference in the incidences of mortality, postoperative partial continence, and total incontinence. Although the incidences of complete continence and postoperative enterocolitis were not different, a tendency to the increased incidence in the TEPT group was observed. Conclusions: This study further supports the technical advantages, the simplicity, and the decreased incidence of complications of a primary TEPT procedure when compared to a classical form of pull-through. Sonic technical refinements are described, and no preoperative colon preparation was necessary for the patients studied here. The results show that the long-term outcomes of the modified TEPT procedure are generally better than those obtained with classical approaches. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Organ-Sparing Microsurgical Resection of Incidental Testicular Tumors Plus Microdissection for Sperm Extraction and Cryopreservation in Azoospermic Patients: Surgical Aspects and Technical Refinements

INTRODUCTION The management of nonpalpable testicular masses is a challenging task, and coexisting infertility can further complicate the treatment decisions. We present our technique for microsurgical organ-sparing resection of incidental nonpalpable testicular nodules combined with microdissection for testicular sperm extraction and tissue cryopreservation in azoospermic patients. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS Five infertile patients with azoospermia presented with nonpalpable hypoechoic testicular masses that were detected by Ultrasonography and underwent organ-sparing surgery. The testis was delivered through an inguinal incision, and the blood circulation was interrupted with a vascular clamp placed on the spermatic cord. Sludged ice was used to prevent warm ischemia, and a temperature probe was used to control the temperature at 12 degrees-15 degrees C. Real-time reflex ultrasonography was used to locate the tumor, and a stereotaxic hook-shaped needle was inserted under ultrasound guidance. The needle was placed adjacent to the tumor to guide the microsurgical resection. The tunica albuginea was incised over the tumor, which was dissected and removed, along with the adjoining parenchymal tissue. Frozen section studies were performed and, if malignancy was confirmed, biopsies of the tumor cavity margins and remaining parenchyma were obtained to ensure the absence of residual tumor. Microdissection was performed for excision of selected enlarged tubules that were processed and cryopreserved. CONCLUSIONS We present a technique for microsurgical organ-sparing resection of testicular tumor and sperm extraction that can be used in selected infertile patients with azoospermia in whom incidental masses have been diagnosed by ultrasonography. This conservative approach should be especially considered for patients with a solitary testis or bilateral tumors. UROLOGY 73: 887-892, 2009. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc.