Electrical impedance tomography in extremely prematurely born infants and during high frequency oscillatory ventilation analyzed in the frequency domain

Functional electrical impedance tomography (EIT) measures relative impedance change that occurs in the chest during a distinct observation period and an EIT image describing regional relative impedance change is generated. Analysis of such an EIT image may be erroneous because it is based on an impedance signal that has several components. Most of the change in relative impedance in the chest is caused by air movement but other physiological events such as cardiac activity change in end expiratory level or pressure swings originating from a ventilator circuit can influence the impedance signal. We obtained EIT images and signals in spontaneously breathing healthy adults, in extremely prematurely born infants on continuous positive airway pressure and in ventilated sheep on conventional mechanical or high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). Data were analyzed in the frequency domain and results presented after band pass filtering within the frequency range of the physiological event of interest. Band pass filtering of EIT data is necessary in premature infants and on HFOV to differentiate and eliminate relative impedance changes caused by physiological events other than the one of interest.

Women, computing and the 'ideal worker': A comparison of professional occupations

In this paper we use recent census data supplemented with case study evidence to investigate the extent to which professional computing occupations in Australia are constructed around the notion of an ‘ideal’ worker. Census data are used to compare computer professionals with other selected professional occupational groups, illustrating different models of accommodating (or not accommodating) workers who do not fit the ideal model. The computer professionals group is shown to be distinctive in combining low but consistent levels of female representation across age groups, average rates of parenthood and minimal provisions for working-time flexibility. One strategy employed by women in this environment is selection of relatively routine technical roles over more time intensive consultancy based work.

Different routes to pure food allergens: extraction, recombinant techniques and total chemical synthesis for obtaining the plant-food pan-allergen LTP

La richiesta di allergeni puri è in continuo aumento per scopi diagnostici, come standard per metodi di rilevamento e di quantificazione, per l'immunoterapia e per lo studio a livello molecolare dei meccanismi delle reazioni allergiche, al fine di facilitare lo sviluppo di possibili cure. In questa tesi di dottorato sono descritte diverse strategie per l’ottenimento di forme pure di non-specific Lipid Transfer Proteins (nsLTPs), le quali sono state riconosciute essere rilevanti allergeni alimentari in molti frutti e verdure comunemente consumati e sono state definite come modello di veri allergeni alimentari. Una LTP potenzialmente allergenica, non nota in precedenza, è stata isolata dalle mandorle, mentre una LTP dall’allergenicità nota contenuta nelle noci è stata prodotta mediante tecniche di DNA ricombinante. Oltre a questi approcci classici, metodi per la sintesi chimica totale di proteine sono stati applicati per la prima volta alla produzione di un allergene, utilizzando Pru p 3, la LTP prototipica e principale allergene della pesca nell'area mediterranea, come modello. La sintesi chimica totale di proteinepermette di controllarne completamente la sequenza e di studiare la loro funzione a livello atomico. La sua applicazione alla produzione di allergeni costituisce perciò un importante passo avanti nel campo della ricerca sulle allergie alimentari. La proteina Pru p 3 è stata prodotta nella sua intera lunghezza e sono necessari solo due passaggi finali di deprotezione per ottenere il target nella sua forma nativa. Le condizioni sperimentali per tali deprotezioni sono state messe a punto durante la produzione dei peptidi sPru p 3 (1-37) e sPru p 3 (38-91), componenti insieme l'intera proteina. Tecniche avanzate di spettrometria di massa sono state usate per caratterizzare tutti i composti ottenuti, mentre la loro allergenicità è stata studiata attraverso test immunologici o approcci in silico.

Women, power and politics

This is major new introduction to women's political involvement and role in the liberal democratic world drawing examples from a wide range of countries to illustrate key common features and divergences. Stevens assesses women's participation and representation in government, parliaments and at the grassroots. Does gender make a difference?

Women, anger, and aggression an interpretative phenomenological analysis

This study reports a qualitative phenomenological investigation of anger and anger-related aggression in the context of the lives of individual women. Semistructured interviews with five women are analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This inductive approach aims to capture the richness and complexity of the lived experience of emotional life. In particular, it draws attention to the context-dependent and relational dimension of angry feelings and aggressive behavior. Three analytic themes are presented here: the subjective experience of anger, which includes the perceptual confusion and bodily change felt by the women when angry, crying, and the presence of multiple emotions; the forms and contexts of aggression, paying particular attention to the range of aggressive strategies used; and anger as moral judgment, in particular perceptions of injustice and unfairness. The authors conclude by examining the analytic observations in light of phenomenological thinking.

Current practice and opinion in special schools for the maladjusted in England and Wales

This study seeks to describe current practice and opinion in schools for the maladjusted in England and Wales and to exarnlne how far this coincides with earlier descriptions. A review of the literature provides an account of this earlier work, and data accrued from questionnaires completed by 114 schools describe current practice and opinion. The study represents the most extensive empirical enquiry into the work of these schools since 1955 and provides a wide data basis for future research and assessment of progress and change. The data suggest that there is much communality of practice and opinion within the schools, with most schools emphasising their therapeutic rather than their educational purpose. The work is characterised by the wide use and perceived efficacy of warm, caring adult to child relationships, improvement of pupil self-image through success, and individual counselling and discussion, which permeate a structure of routine, discipline and educational concern. Specialised treatments are not used widely and involve only a minority of pupils. Practice tends to be in reference to conduct disordered pupils who are now perceived as the largest single disorder group within the schools, whereas previously neurotic disorders formed the largest single group. The majority of pupils are perceived as underachieving on entry and requiring remedial help: consequently the educational programme has a remedial bias. For staff, qualities of personality are considered to be more valuable than professional skills. The schools differ in the emphasis they allocate to one or more of four identified areas of treatment described as concern for pupils' needs; degree of pupil participation; theoretical orientation: and the use of external controls. There is a diminished reference to psychoanalytical theory and an increased reference to behaviourist theory relative to previous practice. Similarly, the use and perceived importance and effectiveness of pupil participation and unconditional affection has diminished.

Impact of suspected food allergy on emotional distress and family life of parents prior to allergy diagnosis

Background: Food allergy is associated with psychological distress in both child and parent. It is unknown whether parental distress is present prior to clinical diagnosis or whether experiences at clinic can reduce any distress present. This study aimed to assess anxiety and depression in parents and the impact of suspected food allergy on the lives of families before and after a visit to an allergy clinic. Methods: One hundred and twenty-four parents visiting an allergy clinic for the first time to have their child assessed for food allergy completed a study-specific questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; 50 parents completed these 4-6 wk later in their own home. Results: Most parents (86.4%) reported suspected food allergy had an impact on their family life prior to clinic attendance; 76% had made changes to their child's diet. 32.5% of parents had mild-to-severe anxiety before their clinic visit; 17.5% had mild-to-moderate depression. Post-clinic, 40% had mild-to-severe anxiety; 13.1% had mild-to-moderate depression. There were no significant differences in anxiety (p = 0.34) or depression scores (p = 0.09) before and after the clinic visit. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression is present in a small proportion of parents prior to diagnosis of food allergy in their child and this does not reduce in the short term after the clinic visit. Identification of parents at risk of suffering from distress is needed and ways in which we communicate allergy information before and at clinic should be investigated to see if we can reduce distress. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.