Values underlying the National Service Framework for coronary heart disease in England : a discourse analysis

OBJECTIVES: The National Service Framework (NSF) for Coronary Heart Disease--published by the English Department of Health in 2000--sets out how those within the health service should seek to prevent and treat coronary heart disease and care for people with the disease. Its prescriptions are partly based on what is known about coronary heart disease and partly on its underlying 'values'. This paper seeks to identify those values.

METHODS:An analysis of the discourses within the text of the NSF based on critical discourse analysis.

RESULTS: Three different discourses can be identified: the managerial, the clinical and the political. The managerial discourse is dominant. Each discourse has its own values. The main 'aspirational' values within the NSF are efficiency, effectiveness, autonomy (choice), universalism and equity. Some aspirational values--particularly equity--appear to be largely rhetorical and lead to few recommendations or prescriptions. Some values that might have been expected to underlie the framework, such as compassion and democracy, are largely absent.

CONCLUSIONS: Discourse analysis provides a more systematic and transparent method of describing the values behind health care policy than the methods that have been used previously.

Management of SPMD based parallel processing on clusters of workstations

Current attempts to manage parallel applications on Clusters of Workstations (COWs) have either generally followed the parallel execution environment approach or been extensions to existing network operating systems, both of which do not provide complete or satisfactory solutions. The efficient and transparent management of parallelism within the COW environment requires enhanced methods of process instantiation, mapping of parallel process to workstations, maintenance of process relationships, process communication facilities, and process coordination mechanisms. The aim of this research is to synthesise, design, develop and experimentally study a system capable of efficiently and transparently managing SPMD parallelism on a COW. This system should both improve the performance of SPMD based parallel programs and relieve the programmer from the involvement into parallelism management in order to allow them to concentrate on application programming. It is also the aim of this research to show that such a system, to achieve these objectives, is best achieved by adding new special services and exploiting the existing services of a client/server and microkernel based distributed operating system. To achieve these goals the research methods of the experimental computer science should be employed. In order to specify the scope of this project, this work investigated the issues related to parallel processing on COWs and surveyed a number of relevant systems including PVM, NOW and MOSIX. It was shown that although the MOSIX system provide a number of good services related to parallelism management, none of the system forms a complete solution. The problems identified with these systems include: instantiation services that are not suited to parallel processing; duplication of services between the parallelism management environment and the operating system; and poor levels of transparency. A high performance and transparent system capable of managing the execution of SPMD parallel applications was synthesised and the specific services of process instantiation, process mapping and process interaction detailed. The process instantiation service designed here provides the capability to instantiate parallel processes using either creation or duplication methods and also supports multiple and group based instantiation which is specifically design for SPMD parallel processing. The process mapping service provides the combination of process allocation and dynamic load balancing to ensure the load of a COW remains balanced not only at the time a parallel program is initialised but also during the execution of the program. The process interaction service guarantees to maintain transparently process relationships, communications and coordination services between parallel processes regardless of their location within the COW. The combination of these services provides an original architecture and organisation of a system that is capable of fully managing the execution of SPMD parallel applications on a COW. A logical design of a parallelism management system was developed derived from the synthesised system and was shown that it should ideally be based on a distributed operating system employing the client server model. The client/server based distributed operating system provides the level of transparency, modularity and flexibility necessary for a complete parallelism management system. The services identified in the synthesised system have been mapped to a set of server processes including: Process Instantiation Server providing advanced multiple and group based process creation and duplication; Process Mapping Server combining load collection, process allocation and dynamic load balancing services; and Process Interaction Server providing transparent interprocess communication and coordination. A Process Migration Server was also identified as vital to support both the instantiation and mapping servers. The RHODOS client/server and microkernel based distributed operating system was selected to carry out research into the detailed design and to be used for the implementation this parallelism management system. RHODOS was enhanced to provide the required servers and resulted in the development of the REX Manager, Global Scheduler and Process Migration Manager to provide the services of process instantiation, mapping and migration, respectively. The process interaction services were already provided within RHODOS and only required some extensions to the existing Process Manager and IPC Managers. Through a variety of experiments it was shown that when this system was used to support the execution of SPMD parallel applications the overall execution times were improved, especially when multiple and group based instantiation services are employed. The RHODOS PMS was also shown to greatly reduce the programming burden experienced by users when writing SPMD parallel applications by providing a small set of powerful primitives specially designed to support parallel processing. The system was also shown to be applicable and has been used in a variety of other research areas such as Distributed Shared Memory, Parallelising Compilers and assisting the port of PVM to the RHODOS system. The RHODOS Parallelism Management System (PMS) provides a unique and creative solution to the problem of transparently and efficiently controlling the execution of SPMD parallel applications on COWs. Combining advanced services such as multiple and group based process creation and duplication; combined process allocation and dynamic load balancing; and complete COW wide transparency produces a totally new system that addresses many of the problems not addressed in other systems.

Ultraviolet-sensitive vision in long-lived birds

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light generates substantial damage, and in mammals, visual sensitivity to UV is restricted to short-lived diurnal rodents and certain marsupials. In humans, the cornea and lens absorb all UV-A and most of the terrestrial UV-B radiation, preventing the reactive and damaging shorter wavelengths from reaching the retina. This is not the case in certain species of long-lived diurnal birds, which possess UV-sensitive (UVS) visual pigments, maximally sensitive below 400 nm. The Order Psittaciformes contains some of the longest lived bird species, and the two species examined so far have been shown to possess UVS pigments. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of UVS pigments across long-lived parrots, macaws and cockatoos, and therefore assess whether they need to cope with the accumulated effects of exposure to UV-A and UV-B over a long period of time. Sequences from the SWS1 opsin gene revealed that all 14 species investigated possess a key substitution that has been shown to determine a UVS pigment. Furthermore, in vitro regeneration data, and lens transparency, corroborate the molecular findings of UV sensitivity. Our findings thus support the claim that the Psittaciformes are the only avian Order in which UVS pigments are ubiquitous, and indicate that these long-lived birds have UV sensitivity, despite the risks of photodamage.

In situ synchrotron SAXS study of polymerizable microemulsions

We present for the first time a real-time small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) study of the structural transition of fluid microemulsion to solid polymerized material in a silicone polymerizable microemulsion system. A reactive methacrylate-terminated siloxane macromonomer (MTSM, Mn ∼ 1000 g/mol) was synthesized and used for microemulsion formulations comprising MTSM (oil phase), water, and a mixture of nonionic surfactant (Teric G9A8) with isopropanol. In situ synchrotron SAXS was used to investigate time-dependent nanostructure evolution during the polymerization reaction, which was directly initiated by X-ray radiation. The SAXS data were analyzed using both the Teubner-Strey model and the core-shell model. The results obtained by the Teubner-Strey model showed that the domain size (d) decreased while the correlation length (ξ) increased upon polymerization. The analysis in terms of the core-shell model displayed that adding water to the precursor microemulsion caused the water droplets to start swelling, which resulted in the discontinuity of water in oil microemulsion. There exhibited large differences in morphologies of polymerized materials from the microemulsion formulations with different water and surfactant contents. The core and shell sizes of water droplets decreased during the course of polymerization when there was 15 wt % or more water in the microemulsion formulation; the polymerized material thus exhibited increasingly discrete granular morphology. When there was 10 wt % or less water content in the precursor microemulsion, the rearrangement of water domains could be minimized during the course of polymerization and transparent polymerized material was obtained.

Establishing trust in hybrid cloud computing environments

Establishing trust for resource sharing and collaboration has become an important issue in distributed computing environment. In this paper, we investigate the problem of establishing trust in hybrid cloud computing environments. As the scope of federated cloud computing enlarges to ubiquitous and pervasive computing, there will be a need to assess and maintain the trustworthiness of the cloud computing entities. We present a fully distributed framework that enable trust-based cloud customer and cloud service provider interactions. The framework aids a service consumer in assigning an appropriate weight to the feedback of different raters regarding a prospective service provider. Based on the framework, we developed a mechanism for controlling falsified feedback ratings from iteratively exerting trust level contamination due to falsified feedback ratings. The experimental analysis shows that the proposed framework successfully dilutes the effects of falsified feedback ratings, thereby facilitating accurate and fair assessment of the service reputations.

A distributed directory scheme for information access in mobile computers

In this paper, we discuss the design aspects of a dynamic distributed directory scheme (DDS) to facilitate efficient and transparent access to information files in mobile environments. The proposed directory interface enables users of mobile computers to view a distributed file system on a network of computers as a globally shared file system. In order to counter some of the limitations of wireless communications, we propose improvised invalidation schemes that avoid false sharing and ensure uninterrupted usage under disconnected and low bandwidth conditions.

When is property inherently defeasible for the purposes of s 51(xxxi)?

This article traces the development of the jurisprudence surrounding compulsory acquisition of property with a particular focus on the application of s 51(xxxi) of the Australian Constitution to statutory property. The examination reveals a clearly articulated methodology developed by the High Court that is principled, transparent and logically consistent with the purpose of the provision. This is contrasted with two recent decisions of the High Court, ICM Agriculture Pty Ltd v Commonwealth and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia Ltd v Commonwealth which indicate a concerning development to move away from such methodology and introduce new factors for consideration. It is argued that such development threatens to undermine the principled and transparent application of s 51(xxxi) and may reintroduce unnecessary methodological uncertainty.

Conservation gone to the dogs : when canids rule the beach in small coastal reserves

On most developed coastlines, dunes backing ocean beaches constitute an urbanised landscape mosaic containing remnant pockets of small conservation areas. Urbanised beaches are also prime sites for domestic dogs, known to be environmentally harmful in many other settings. It is unknown, however, whether small, protected parcels of dune are adequate for biological conservation and whether dogs compromise their functional conservation objectives. Here we examine, for two small (2 km ocean boundary) reserves in Eastern Australia abutting an urban area, whether such small reserves can continue to function as effective conservation instruments on ocean beaches, using scavenger community composition and efficiency to assess ecosystem function. Two non-native species of canids—domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)—were ubiquitous and numerous inside conservation areas, to the point of having become the most abundant vertebrate scavengers at the beach-dune interface, outcompeting native scavengers for wave-cast carrion. Dogs and foxes have effectively supplanted raptors, normally abundant on non-urban beaches in the region, and other avian scavengers, as the principal consumers of animal carcasses both inside the declared reserves and at the urban beach. Whilst the ecological threats posed by foxes are widely and intensively addressed in Australia in the form of fox-control programs, dog controls are less common and stringent. Our data emphasize, however, that managing domestic dogs may be required to the same extent in order to maintain key forms and functions in coastal reserves situated close to urban areas.

Taxonomy of contention management in interconnected distributed systems

Interconnected distributed computing systems, such as computing Grids and federated Clouds, have been of special importance in both industry and academia. Resources provided in these environments are usually shared between users from different groups and/or organizations. Therefore these environments are prone to contention between user requests for accessing resources. Particularly, resource contention takes place when a user requests cannot be admitted or cannot sufficiently access resources because they are occupied by other requests. In this paper, we deal with different types of resource contentions occurring in interconnected distributed systems as well as approaches for resolving them. Approaches developed to resolve resource contentions share similarities in many aspects while being different in other aspects. We investigate the features of these approaches, identify and categorize the similarities and differences of them. Additionally, we review various resource management systems of interconnected distributed systems and group them based on the identified specifications.

Silk films as a repair material for perforations of the tympanic membrane

Large, chronic perforations of the tympanic membrane or eardrum can cause hearing loss as well as a range of secondary health problems. Current methods of repair usually involve grafting a material such as cartilage from another site on the body across the perforation. However, given problems such as possible infections at the graft donor site and the inability to see through the graft to assess infection within the middle ear, there is a need to develop an alternative material that is strong, readily available and transparent. Such a material would allow for less invasive surgery and potentially result in a superior hearing outcome for the patient. Our recent work has identified silk fibroin films as a promising material for this application. This paper reviews the repair of large perforations and compares the mechanical properties of silk with some existing graft materials. It also briefly discusses the difficulties in defining and comparing these properties with such different materials.

Banrisul: do PROES ao IPO com governança corporativa

The scene prevalecente, in this work was to analyze the capacity of BANRISUL - Bank of the State of the Rio Grande Do Sul, as bank of public control, was assumen of the continued increase of the profitability of the Brazilian banking sector, remaining itself as a brought up to date financial institution tecnologicamente and managemental structuralized by mechanisms of brought up to date taking of decision and permanently revised in compatibility with the increasing instabilidades imposed for the incited competition of the banking sector in adequacy with the macroeconomic volatillidades. On the basis of the extremely positive performance in the analyzed period enters 1997 the 2007, the commercial strategy remains focada in the constant improvement of the rendering of services and in the growth of the credit average small the physical people and the e companies. The abrangência of the attendance points and the ample base of customers are aggregate advantages to an exclusive differential: the Banricompras, the biggest card of proper mark of Latin America. Stronger and income-producing, with an adequate and transparent management, the BANRISUL follows in propósito de to gain position of prominence in the national economic-financial scene.

Meta inflação: uma nova abordagem para a política monetária

Este estudo introduz uma nova abordagem estratégica para a política monetária: o regime de meta de inflação. O trabalho começa com uma revisão da literatura sobre política monetária desde a Curva de Phillips, a seguir os regimes clássicos de política monetária são analisados e se introduz a estrutura conceitual do regime de meta de inflação. As experiências práticas de quatro países (Alemanha, Nova Zelândia, Canadá e Inglaterra) são detalhadamente examinadas. A análise de séries temporais é empregada para comparar o padrão de autoregressividade da inflação sob o novo regime com o período precedente. O estudo aponta o regime de meta de inflação como uma estratégia mais eficiente no longo prazo porque responde melhor aos desafios da teoria e da prática.

Auditoria de tecnologia da informação na administração pública: o caso dos municípios do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

A difusão das doutrinas de gerenciamento orientadas para resultados no Brasil tem levado as organizações públicas a realizarem investimentos relevantes em tecnologia da informação como um componente de transparência para as ações governamentais e como suporte para a tomada de decisões pelos gestores públicos. O uso intensivo da informática em um mundo cada vez mais interconectado expõe a administração pública a novos tipos de ameaças e vulnerabilidades. Nesse contexto, as entidades de fiscalização devem ampliar sua forma de atuação, realizando controles mais rigorosos por meio de técnicas próprias de auditorias de tecnologia da informação, que visam assegurar a integridade e segurança dos dados que trafegam pelas redes e sistemas de informação. O objetivo da presente pesquisa consistiu em identificar as principais impropriedades associadas ao uso da informática nas administrações municipais sob a jurisdição do TCE-RJ, por meio do estudo de caso de sua experiência na realização de auditorias operacionais em tecnologia da informação. A pesquisa foi realizada com base na literatura e na análise dos achados das auditorias de sistemas, mostrando que este tipo de auditoria tem contribuído para tornar a gestão pública municipal mais eficiente, eficaz e transparente.

Três ensaios sobre política monetária e crédito

In the first essay, "Determinants of Credit Expansion in Brazil", analyzes the determinants of credit using an extensive bank level panel dataset. Brazilian economy has experienced a major boost in leverage in the first decade of 2000 as a result of a set factors ranging from macroeconomic stability to the abundant liquidity in international financial markets before 2008 and a set of deliberate decisions taken by President Lula's to expand credit, boost consumption and gain political support from the lower social strata. As relevant conclusions to our investigation we verify that: credit expansion relied on the reduction of the monetary policy rate, international financial markets are an important source of funds, payroll-guaranteed credit and investment grade status affected positively credit supply. We were not able to confirm the importance of financial inclusion efforts. The importance of financial sector sanity indicators of credit conditions cannot be underestimated. These results raise questions over the sustainability of this expansion process and financial stability in the future. The second essay, “Public Credit, Monetary Policy and Financial Stability”, discusses the role of public credit. The supply of public credit in Brazil has successfully served to relaunch the economy after the Lehman-Brothers demise. It was later transformed into a driver for economic growth as well as a regulation device to force private banks to reduce interest rates. We argue that the use of public funds to finance economic growth has three important drawbacks: it generates inflation, induces higher loan rates and may induce financial instability. An additional effect is the prevention of market credit solutions. This study contributes to the understanding of the costs and benefits of credit as a fiscal policy tool. The third essay, “Bayesian Forecasting of Interest Rates: Do Priors Matter?”, discusses the choice of priors when forecasting short-term interest rates. Central Banks that commit to an Inflation Target monetary regime are bound to respond to inflation expectation spikes and product hiatus widening in a clear and transparent way by abiding to a Taylor rule. There are various reports of central banks being more responsive to inflationary than to deflationary shocks rendering the monetary policy response to be indeed non-linear. Besides that there is no guarantee that coefficients remain stable during time. Central Banks may switch to a dual target regime to consider deviations from inflation and the output gap. The estimation of a Taylor rule may therefore have to consider a non-linear model with time varying parameters. This paper uses Bayesian forecasting methods to predict short-term interest rates. We take two different approaches: from a theoretic perspective we focus on an augmented version of the Taylor rule and include the Real Exchange Rate, the Credit-to-GDP and the Net Public Debt-to-GDP ratios. We also take an ”atheoretic” approach based on the Expectations Theory of the Term Structure to model short-term interest. The selection of priors is particularly relevant for predictive accuracy yet, ideally, forecasting models should require as little a priori expert insight as possible. We present recent developments in prior selection, in particular we propose the use of hierarchical hyper-g priors for better forecasting in a framework that can be easily extended to other key macroeconomic indicators.

Sistemas microemulsionados como carreador lipídico para fármacos insolúveis

Several pharmaceutical products have been developed in recent years aiming to enhance the treatment of diseases by increasing the effectiveness of drugs. Many of these new products are based on new drug delivery systems. Among these, microemulsions, which were first studied in 1943 by Hoar and Schulman, is of great interest. Microemulsion can be defined as a thermodynamically stable, isotropic, translucent and transparent system of two immiscible liquids stabilized by a surfactant film located in the oil / water interface. The aim os this work was the incorporation of Amphotericin B and Simvasatin to a microemulsion system and analyzes its physicochemical properties and their therapeutical activity when incorporated into this system. Some very promising results were achieved as the reduction of the toxicity and maintenance of the efficacy of the Amphotericin B incorpored into a microemulsion, which was demonstrated in the in vitro pharmacotoxicological study. As for the incorporation of Simvastatin in microemulsion, it was observed a significant improvement in the potential antiinflammatory and anti-infective properties when the system was use to treat infected wounds (simvastatin pleiotropic effects). Therefore, it can be concluded that the incorporation of these drugs into microemulsion system reveal the potential of microemulsions as a promising and novel dosage form, qualifying them for future trials in order to make them available in the pharmaceutical market