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These pages show two examples of typical abstracts from honours theses. Notice that the stages of the abstracts have been labelled, so that you can see the function of each sentence or part-sentence. You can also see that there are differences in the type of information that is included in each abstract, as well as differences in level of detail.
Sample 1: GENETIC MECHANISMS AND DISSEMINATION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Abstract
Background statement The spread of antibiotic resistance is aided
by mobile elements such as transposons and conjugative plasmids. Narrowing
statement Recently, integrons have been recognised as genetic elements that
have the capacity to contribute to the spread of resistance. Elaboration
of narrowing statement Integrons constitute an efficient means of capturing
gene cassettes and allow expression of encoded resistance. Aims The aims
of this study were to screen clinical isolates for integrons, characterise
gene cassettes and extended spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) genes. extended
aim Subsequent to this, genetic linkage between ESBL genes and gentamicin resistance
was investigated. Results In this study, 41 % of multiple antibiotic
resistant bacteria and 79 % of extended-spectrum b-lactamase producing organisms
were found to carry either one or two integrons, as detected by PCR. Results A novel gene cassette contained within an integron was identified from Stenotrophomonas
maltophilia, encoding a protein that belongs to the small multidrug resistance
(SMR) family of transporters. Results pLJ1, a transferable plasmid that was
present in 86 % of the extended-spectrum b-lactamase producing collection,
was found to harbour an integron carrying aadB, a gene cassette for gentamicin,
kanamycin and tobramycin resistance and a blaSHV-12 gene for third generation
cephalosporin resistance. Justification of results The presence of this plasmid
accounts for the gentamicin resistance phenotype that is often associated with
organisms displaying an extended-spectrum b-lactamase phenotype.
(Jones 2004, p.9)
Sample 2: PERMEABLE TREATMENT WALLS
Abstract
Background statement A review of groundwater remediation
in use today shows that new techniques are required that solve the problems
of pump and treat, containment and in-situ treatment. Narrowing
statement One
such technique is the method that involves the use of permeable treatment
walls. Elaboration These methods use
a reactive medium such as iron to remediate contaminated groundwater. Aim* Several
methods of implementing this remediation strategy have been described. Elaboration
of aim These methods include injection and trenching. Specific
focus of aim The use of a funnel and gate system via a trench has
been examined in detail Methods using a groundwater
modelling option of the FLAC program. Methods The
modelling involved an analysis of the effect of changing the lengths of the
walls and gate, varying the permeability, and varying the number of gates. Results The
results showed that increasing the wall length, gate length and permeability
increases the size of the plume captured. Key
result An important factor in designing the walls is the residence
time of the water in the gate or the contact time of the contaminant with
the reactive media. Evaluation of results A
sensitivity analysis has been conducted that shows that increasing the size
of the capture zone decreases the residence time Limitations which
will limit the design. Future
applications and research The results of the modelling and sensitivity
analysis are presented such that they can be used as an aid to the design
of permeable treatment walls.
(Dasey G. 1996 p.i)
* This is the aim of the research, but it is not very clearly stated. It might be better if the aim was made more explicit.