The mechanism and kinetics of the spontaneous decomposition of 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)propan-1,3-diol (DBNPG) and its decomposition daughter products were determined in aqueous solution at a temperatures range between 30 and 70 degrees C and pH from 7.0 to 9.5. DBNPG decomposition in basic aqueous solutions involves release of bromide ions through a sequential formation of 3-bromomethyl-3-hydroxym...

Texture-discrimination tasks reveal a pronounced performance asymmetry depending on which texture represents the foreground region (small area) and which represents the ground (large area). This asymmetry implies that some global processes are involved in the segmentation process. We examined this problem within the context of the texture-segmentation algorithm, assuming two filtering stages. T...

In this paper we propose an approach to organizing Adaptive Problem-Based Learning (PBL) leading to the development of Higher-Order Thinking (HOT) skills and collaborative skills in students. Adaptability of PBL is expressed by changes in fixed instructor assessments caused by the dynamics of developing HOT skills needed for problem solving, flexible choice of control tests and problems for stu...

Partial stage and complete life-cycle growth curves of Brahman cattle were obtained for small, medium, and large frame sizes for a herd under grazing conditions in a subtropical environment. Data were grouped into three stages: birth to weaning (stage 1), weaning to 20 mo (males) or 32 mo (females) of age (stage 2), and 32 mo of age to maturity (females only; stage 3). Within each stage, multip...

This study was conducted in three stages in a semi-rural region of Eskisehir, Turkey. In the first stage, individuals selected by random sampling were evaluated for cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the second stage, Group I and Group II training materials were randomly distributed. In the third stage, the subjects were screened one year later to assess and determine if there had been any...

This paper explores the following question: what kind of statistical guarantees can be given when doing variable selection in high dimensional models? In particular, we look at the error rates and power of some multi-stage regression methods. In the first stage we fit a set of candidate models. In the second stage we select one model by cross-validation. In the third stage we use hypothesis tes...

Phase II oncology trials are conducted to evaluate whether the tumour activity of a new treatment is promising enough to warrant further investigation. The most commonly used approach in this context is a two-stage single-arm design with binary endpoint. As for all designs with interim analysis, its efficiency strongly depends on the relation between recruitment rate and follow-up time required...

BACKGROUND At a time of growing emphasis on both the use of research and accountability, it is important for research funders, researchers and other stakeholders to monitor and evaluate the extent to which research contributes to better action for health, and find ways to enhance the likelihood that beneficial contributions are realized. Past attempts to assess research 'impact' struggle with o...

Background The PAAD Study (Probiotics for Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea in care homes) involves 2 stages. The first stage is a prospective 12 month observational study to collect data on the amount and type of antibiotic prescribed episodes of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhoea and C.difficile Associated Diarrhoea and outcome in a randomly selected sample of 9 care homes. The second stage is cur...

Oil biodegradation by native bacteria is one of the most important natural processes that can attenuate the environmental impacts of marine oil spills. Existing models for oil biodegradation kinetics are mostly for dissolved oil. This work developed a new mathematical model for the biodegradation of oil droplets and applied the model to estimate the time scale for oil biodegradation under condi...