Journal articles on the topic 'Concern refinement'
To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Concern refinement.
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 journal articles for your research on the topic 'Concern refinement.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse journal articles on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Blum, Thorsten B., Dominique Housset, Max T. B. Clabbers, Eric van Genderen, Maria Bacia-Verloop, Ulrich Zander, Andrew A. McCarthy, Guy Schoehn, Wai Li Ling, and Jan Pieter Abrahams. "Statistically correcting dynamical electron scattering improves the refinement of protein nanocrystals, including charge refinement of coordinated metals." Acta Crystallographica Section D Structural Biology 77, no. 1 (January 1, 2021): 75–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s2059798320014540.
Full textAbstract:
Electron diffraction allows protein structure determination when only nanosized crystals are available. Nevertheless, multiple elastic (or dynamical) scattering, which is prominent in electron diffraction, is a concern. Current methods for modeling dynamical scattering by multi-slice or Bloch wave approaches are not suitable for protein crystals because they are not designed to cope with large molecules. Here, dynamical scattering of nanocrystals of insulin, thermolysin and thaumatin was limited by collecting data from thin crystals. To accurately measure the weak diffraction signal from the few unit cells in the thin crystals, a low-noise hybrid pixel Timepix electron-counting detector was used. The remaining dynamical component was further reduced in refinement using a likelihood-based correction, which was introduced previously for analyzing electron diffraction data of small-molecule nanocrystals and was adapted here for protein crystals. The procedure is shown to notably improve the structural refinement, in one case allowing the location of solvent molecules. It also allowed refinement of the charge states of bound metal atoms, an important element in protein function, through B-factor analysis of the metal atoms and their ligands. These results clearly increase the value of macromolecular electron crystallography as a complementary structural biology technique.
2
Herbst-Irmer, Regine. "Experimental charge density studies: Discard valid data and overfit?" Acta Crystallographica Section A Foundations and Advances 70, a1 (August 5, 2014): C282. http://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s2053273314097174.
Full textAbstract:
In experimental charge density investigation it is indispensable to use the highest possible quality of data. Therefore the multiplicity should be as high as possible, but poor data should be omitted. To decide about resolution limit and discarding outlier data often limits for Rint or I/σ(I) are used. A better approach is the `paired refinement method' [1] comparing two data sets by the fit of the models derived by the same refinement protocol to both data sets. For macromolecular data sets it could be shown that a higher resolution should be used than normally derived from the above mentioned criteria. First results for charge density data seem to show the same tendency but of course on a different level. The paired refinement strategy can also be used to investigate the influence of different scaling methods. In a recent version of SADABS [2] a new error model and a 3λ correction is implemented. With the paired refinement strategy the improvement in data quality gets obvious. A further concern in charge density investigation is the question of overfitting. In macromolecular refinement this is answered by the Rfree concept [3]. Here a refinement protocol is developed by refining against a work set of reflections, e.g. 90 % of the data. The remaining reflections are untouched in the whole refinement process but an Rfree value is calculated using only this test set of reflections. An overfitting can clearly be identified by a decrease in Rwork but an increase in Rfree. This refinement protocol is then used for a final refinement against all data. It will be discussed how this method could support charge density studies.
3
Priestle, John P. "Improved dihedral-angle restraints for protein structure refinement." Journal of Applied Crystallography 36, no. 1 (January 21, 2003): 34–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s0021889802018265.
Full textAbstract:
Because of the relatively low-resolution diffraction of typical protein crystals, structure refinement is usually carried out employing stereochemical restraints to increase the effective number of observations. Well defined values for bond lengths and angles are available from small-molecule crystal structures. Such values do not exist for dihedral angles because of the concern that the strong crystal contacts in small-molecule crystal structures could distort the dihedral angles. This paper examines the dihedral-angle distributions in ultra-high-resolution protein structures (1.2 Å or better) as a means of analysing the population frequencies of dihedral angles in proteins and compares these with the stereochemical restraints currently used in one of the more widely used molecular-dynamics refinement packages,X-PLOR, and its successor,CNS. Discrepancies between the restraints used in these programs and what is actually seen in high-resolution protein structures are examined and an improved set of dihedral-angle restraint parameters are derived from these inspections.
4
Wolny, Janusz, Ireneusz Buganski, Pawel Kuczera, and Radoslaw Strzalka. "Pushing the limits of crystallography." Journal of Applied Crystallography 49, no. 6 (November 18, 2016): 2106–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s160057671601637x.
Full textAbstract:
A very serious concern of scientists dealing with crystal structure refinement, including theoretical research, pertains to the characteristic bias in calculatedversusmeasured diffraction intensities, observed particularly in the weak reflection regime. This bias is here attributed to corrective factors for phonons and, even more distinctly, phasons, and credible proof supporting this assumption is given. The lack of a consistent theory of phasons in quasicrystals significantly contributes to this characteristic bias. It is shown that the most commonly used exponential Debye–Waller factor for phasons fails in the case of quasicrystals, and a novel method of calculating the correction factor within a statistical approach is proposed. The results obtained for model quasiperiodic systems show that phasonic perturbations can be successfully described and refinement fits of high quality are achievable. The standard Debye–Waller factor for phonons works equally well for periodic and quasiperiodic crystals, and it is only in the last steps of a refinement that different correction functions need to be applied to improve the fit quality.
5
Geldreich, Edwin. "Control of Microorganisms of Public Health Concern in Water." Journal of the IEST 29, no. 2 (March 1, 1986): 34–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.17764/jiet.1.29.2.8273n444t436513k.
Full textAbstract:
The concept of microbial barriers in water supply and wastewater treatment involves a variety of processes other than disinfection. Many of these treatment processes have evolved from the enhancement of some factors associated with natural self-purification (sedimentation, aeration, nutrient limitations, water pH, etc.). Utilizing the multiple barrier concept in treatment of wastes before discharge to receiving waters and the further refinement possible by natural self-purification processes in the stream are beneficial in optimizing the quality of this raw water resource prior to further processing into drinking water supplies. A flow diagram based on typical percent removals in various treatment processes illustrates how water contaminated with fecal wastes can be improved in quality to protect downstream users from microbial hazards.
6
Downes, Stephen. "Szymanowski and Narcissism." Journal of the Royal Musical Association 121, no. 1 (1996): 58–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jrma/121.1.58.
Full textAbstract:
The ‘cultivation of the self’, which Carl E. Schorske has identified as a characteristic of the Viennese bourgeoisie, establishes a ‘link between a devotion to art and a concern with the psyche’. Such a life ‘appropriated the aesthetic, sensuous sensibility’ leading to ‘narcissism and a hypertrophy of the life of feeling’. Szymanowski, who was for many years fascinated by Viennese culture, reflects many of these characteristics. He was, furthermore, greatly influenced by the work of Pater and Wilde, central figures in the English ‘decadent’ scene which, in Arthur Symons's words, was marked by ‘an intense self-consciousness, a restless curiosity in research, an over-subtilizing refinement upon refinement, a spiritual and moral perversity’. It is unsurprising, therefore, to find narcissism appearing as a prominent theme in many of Szymanowski's works.
7
Golding-Wood, David G. "Temporal bone dissection for display." Journal of Laryngology & Otology 108, no. 1 (January 1994): 3–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022215100125691.
Full textAbstract:
Increasing concern with medicolegal issues has heightened the need for surgical simulation in training. Familiarity with the surgical anatomy of the temporal bone is essential for effective and safe otological surgery. Refinement of surgical technique and intimate knowledge of temporal bone anatomy can be gained by accurate dissection. The products of such endeavours are both illustrative and instructive. The issues, methods and techniques necessary for display of anatomical dissections are discussed.
8
Xuezhi, Zhang, and Zhang Li-wen. "On the “Ultimate Concern” in Song-Ming Study of Principle." Yearbook for Eastern and Western Philosophy 2020, no. 5 (August 1, 2020): 77–107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/yewph-2023-0005.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Albeit their variated manifestations, a distinct humanistic spirit that is also characteristic of Chinese philosophy as a whole is found among the thoughts of the masters of Song-Ming Study of Principle. They advocated the pursuit of transcendence through concrete cultivation which generates refined faith, sincerity, courage and an enjoyable state-of-attainment. These contributions played a decisive part in the refinement of Confucian thought regarding theories of transcendence, for developments in the theory of spiritual effort in pursuit of transcendence during this period are unique both with respect to China and abroad. This essay explores this uniqueness, through which we can enrich our understanding of Song-Ming Study of Principle as a tradition, and further appreciate the transcendental dimension from the perspective of social practice. Exemplifications of a quest for self-transcendence, including self-cultivation and the concern for ultimate values are rooted in everyday life and carried out in concrete social practice.
9
Balls, Michael, and Michelle Hudson. "Comments on UK Options for Transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU." Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 40, no. 2 (May 2012): 109–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/026119291204000210.
Full textAbstract:
The British Government's proposals for the transposition of European Directive 2010/63/EU are discussed under five main headings: direct transposition without major effects on the UK legislation, introduction of stricter requirements in the Directive, retention of stricter controls in the Animals [Scientific Procedures] Act 1986, questions requiring further consideration, and matters of concern. The Home Office had published a consultation on the options in 2011, which resulted in 98 responses from organisations and 13,458 responses from individuals. Our main concerns relate to the use of non-human primates, the annual publication of the UK statistics on laboratory animal use, and the provision of greater transparency on how animals are used, and why. Finally, we conclude that the new Directive and its transposition into the national laws of the Member states provide a renewed opportunity for genuine commitment to the Three Rs, leading to progressive and significant Reduction, Refinement and Replacement.
10
Mrotz, Victoria J., Kaitlyn M. Nestor, Taronna R. Maines, Nathaniel Powell, and Jessica A. Belser. "Effects of Buprenorphine Treatment on Influenza Pathogenesis in the Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)." Comparative Medicine 72, no. 1 (February 1, 2022): 22–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.30802/aalas-cm-21-000087.
Full textAbstract:
Ferrets are the gold-standard model for influenza A virus (IAV) research due to their natural susceptibility to human and zoonotic IAV, comparable respiratory anatomy and physiology to humans, and development of clinical signs similar to those seen in infected people. Because the presence and progression of clinical signs can be useful in infectious disease research, uncertainty in how analgesics alter research outcomes or compromise characteristics of disease progression have outweighed the concern regarding animal discomfort from these symptoms. Nonetheless, the principles of animal research require consideration of refinements for this important model for IAV research. Opioids offer a possible refinement option that would not directly affect the inflammatory cascade involved in IAV infection. Mirroring pathogenicity studies that use ferrets, 12 ferrets were inoculated intranasally with the A(H3N2) IAV A/Panama/2007/1999 and divided into 3 treatment groups ( n = 4 each), of which 2 groups received buprenorphine treatments on different schedules and the third received a saline control. The duration and location of viral replication, lymphohematopoietic changes, and clinical signs were comparable across all groups at all time points. High quantities of infectious virus in nasal wash specimens were detected in ferrets from all groups through day 5 after inoculation, and peak viral titers from the upper respiratory tract did not differ between ferrets receiving buprenorphine treatments on either schedule. Compared with the saline group, ferrets receiving buprenorphine exhibited transient weight loss and pyrexia, but all groups ultimately achieved similar peaks in both of these measurements. Collectively, these findings support the continued evaluation of buprenorphine as a refinement for IAV-challenged ferrets.
11
Hong, Sung-Mook, and Colin D. Caust. "A Factor Analytic Evaluation of the Concern over Negative Consequences of Success Scale." Psychological Reports 56, no. 1 (February 1985): 331–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.2466/pr0.1985.56.1.331.
Full textAbstract:
Ho and Zemaitis constructed a measure of fear of success called Concern Over Negative Consequences of Success Scale on the basis of American data. In the present study, data from 188 male and 161 female Australian college students were used to evaluate the factor structure of the scale in the Australian context. The five-factor solution produced three common factors for the two sexes and indicated some differences in their factor structures as well. The assumption of unidimensionality underlying the measure was not supported, and many factors appeared to tap dimensions unrelated to fear of success. Because the measure was factorially complex, scores of men and women were not considered comparable. Sex differences in over-all factor structure and in interfactor correlations suggested need for further refinement of the scale to be used in the Australian context.
12
Benz, Anton. "Outline of the foundations for a theory of implicatures." ZAS Papers in Linguistics 51 (January 1, 2009): 153–201. http://dx.doi.org/10.21248/zaspil.51.2009.378.
Full textAbstract:
In this paper, we outline the foundations of a theory of implicatures. It divides into two parts. The first part contains the base model. It introduces signalling games, optimal answer models, and a general definition of implicatures in terms of natural information. The second part contains a refinement in which we consider noisy communication with efficient clarification requests. Throughout, we assume a fully cooperative speaker who knows the information state of the hearer. The purpose of this paper is not the study of examples. Our concern is the framework for doing these studies.
13
White, Charmaine, Cliff Richardson, and Libertad Raibstein. "High-Frequency Ventilation and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation." AACN Advanced Critical Care 1, no. 2 (August 1, 1990): 427–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.4037/15597768-1990-2022.
Full textAbstract:
Dramatic improvement in morbidity and mortality associated with neonatal respiratory failure has evolved over the last 30 years. Favorable survival statistics can be directly related to the institution and refinement of assisted ventilation techniques. Short-and long-term pulmonary complications continue to be of major concern. New ways to support the neonate in respiratory failure are being investigated. Concentrated efforts are being undertaken to find ways to safely and effectively treat these infants while decreasing the morbidity associated with therapy. Two such therapies, both experimental and controversial, which are gaining widespread recognition, are high-frequency ventilation (HFV) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
14
Matveev, S. S., D. V. Idrisov, N. I. Gurakov, Gopalakrishna Gangisetty, I. A. Zubrilin, S. G. Matveev, and E. A. Shchepakina. "Simulation of CO and CO2 emissions in model combustion chamber based on the combination LES and Reactor Network model." E3S Web of Conferences 80 (2019): 03008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20198003008.
Full textAbstract:
Air pollution is a major concern of recent decades, which has a serious toxicological impact on human health and the environment. It has a number of different emission sources, but one of the main sources of environmental pollutions is transported systems, in particular aviation gas turbine engines (GTE). Currently environmental issues of GTE are mainly solved by using semi-empirical techniques and experimental refinement of prototypes. In this paper we presented an algorithm for simulating the emission of CO and CO2 in a model combustion chamber under various initial conditions and compared the results, validated with an experimental data.
15
Chow, Aloysius, Sok Huang Teo, Jing Wen Kong, Simon Lee, Yee Kiat Heng, Maurice van Steensel, and Helen Smith. "Patients’ Experiences of Telemedicine for Their Skin Problems: Qualitative Study." JMIR Dermatology 5, no. 1 (February 22, 2022): e24956. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/24956.
Full textAbstract:
Background Teledermatology is a cost-effective treatment modality for the management of skin disorders. Most evaluations use quantitative data, and far less is understood about the patients’ experience. Objective This qualitative study aimed to explore patients’ perceptions of a teledermatology service linking public primary care clinics to the national specialist dermatology clinic in Singapore. A better understanding of patients’ experiences can help refine and develop the care provided. Methods Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with patients who had been referred to the teledermatology service. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed before undergoing thematic content analysis. Results A total of 21 patients aged between 22 and 72 years were recruited. The following 3 themes were identified from the data of patients’ experiences: positive perceptions of teledermatology, concerns about teledermatology, and ideas for improving the teledermatology service. The patients found the teledermatology service convenient, saving them time and expense and liberating them from the stresses incurred when making an in-person visit to a specialist facility. They valued the confidence and reassurance they gained from having a dermatologist involved in deciding their management. The patients’ concern included data security and the quality of the images shared. Nonetheless, they were keen to see the service expanded beyond the polyclinics. Their experiences and perceptions will inform future service refinement and development. Conclusions This narrative exploration of users’ experiences of teledermatology produced rich data enabling a better understanding of the patients’ journey, the way they understand and interpret their experiences, and ideas for service refinement. Telemedicine reduces traveling and enables safe distancing, factors that are much needed during pandemics.
16
Jirkof, Paulin, Juliane Rudeck, and Lars Lewejohann. "Assessing Affective State in Laboratory Rodents to Promote Animal Welfare—What Is the Progress in Applied Refinement Research?" Animals 9, no. 12 (November 25, 2019): 1026. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9121026.
Full textAbstract:
An animal’s capacity to suffer is a prerequisite for any animal welfare concern, and the minimization of suffering is a key aim of refinement research. In contrast to the traditional focus on avoiding or reducing negative welfare states, modern animal welfare concepts highlight the importance of promoting positive welfare states in laboratory animals. Reliable assessments of affective states, as well as the knowledge of how to elicit positive affective states, are central to this concept. Important achievements have been made to assess pain and other negative affective states in animals in the last decades, but it is only recently that the neurobiology of positive emotions in humans and animals has been gaining more interest. Thereby, the need for promotion of positive affective states for laboratory animals is gaining more acceptance, and methods allowing the assessment of affective states in animals have been increasingly introduced. In this overview article, we present common and emerging methods to assess affective states in laboratory rodents. We focus on the implementation of these methods into applied refinement research to identify achieved progress as well as the future potential of these tools to improve animal welfare in animal-based research.
17
Jun-Hui, Chai, Lv Zhong-Jie, Shen Zheng-Xiang, Zhang Zi-Jiang, Bo Xu, Shen Jian-Min, Qian Sheng-Jie, and Yang Fu. "Magnetic Method for Evaluating Mechanical Properties of Steel Cylinders." Materials Evaluation 80, no. 8 (August 1, 2022): 32–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.32548/2022.me-04262.
Full textAbstract:
Using a nondestructive testing method based on hysteresis behavior, the structural-mechanical dependence of the coercive force of 35CrMo steel components was compared with that of standard specimens. As described in the magnetic Jiles–Atherton model, the magnetic coercive force of the cylinders was inversely proportional to the grain refinement, which was validated by means of metallographic examination and hardness tests. Simultaneously, this study presented an experimental validation by destructive testing for determining the relationship between the measured magnetic parameter and the property of concern and a linear correlation between coercive force and hardness. These observations provide a method to quickly and nondestructively evaluate the mechanical properties of steel components.
18
Venier, L. A., C. Hébert, L. De Grandpré, A. Arsenault, R. Walton, and D. M. Morris. "Modelling deadwood supply for biodiversity conservation: Considerations, challenges and recommendations." Forestry Chronicle 91, no. 04 (August 2015): 407–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.5558/tfc2015-070.
Full textAbstract:
There are concerns that deadwood supply (both snags and downed wood) may become a limiting resource for biodiversity conservation as the bio-economy develops. Despite this concern, it remains difficult to monitor all elements of biodiversity to ensure that forest management activities are not reducing deadwood below minimum thresholds. As a dynamic resource, deadwood quantity and quality does change throughout forest succession. Simulation modelling represents one approach to integrating this variability and supporting the refinement of forest management guidelines. In this paper, we review important considerations for developing deadwood models that address biodiversity concerns. These include defining initial conditions, estimating deadwood inputs over time, identifying parameters necessary to represent biodiversity, identifying data available to parameterize, calibrate and validate models, and identifying requirements for model validation and documentation. In addition, we consider how deadwood characteristics such as form, size, state of decay, tree species, cause of mortality and position can be treated in models to represent the full range of biodiversity requirements. Lastly, we review examples of stand-alone and study-specific deadwood modelling approaches to provide a road map for development of a robust, temporally dynamic deadwood model that addresses biodiversity and sustainability issues related to biomass harvest for bioenergy.
19
Jones, Dorothy, Margaret Lunney, Gail Keenan, and Sue Moorhead. "Standardized Nursing Languages Essential for the Nursing Workforce." Annual Review of Nursing Research 28, no. 1 (December 2010): 253–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/0739-6686.28.253.
Full textAbstract:
The evolution of standardized nursing languages (SNLs) has been occurring for more than four decades. The importance of this work continues to be acknowledged as an effective strategy to delineate professional nursing practice. In today's health care environment, the demand to deliver cost-effective, safe, quality patient care is an essential mandate embedded in all health reform policies. Communicating the contributions of professional nursing practice to other nurses, health providers, and other members of the health care team requires the articulation of nursing's focus of concern and responses to these concerns to improve patient outcomes. The visibility of the electronic health record (EHR) in practice settings has accelerated the need for nursing to communicate its practice within the structure of the electronic format. The integration of SNLs into the patient record offers nurses an opportunity to describe the focus of their practice through the identification of nursing diagnosis, interventions and outcomes (IOM, 2010). Continued development, testing, and refinement of SNLs offers nursing an accurate and reliable way to use data elements across populations and settings to communicate nursing practice, enable nursing administrators and leaders in health care to delineate needed resources, cost out nursing care with greater precision, and design new models of care that reflect nursepatient ratios and patient acuity that are data driven (Pesut & Herman, 1998). The continued use of nursing languages and acceleration of nursing research using this data can provide the needed evidence to help link nursing knowledge to evidence-driven, cost-effective, quality outcomes that more accurately reflect nursing's impact on patient care as well as the health care system of which they are a part. The evaluation of research to support the development, use, and continued refinement of nursing language is critical to research and the transformation of patient care by nurses on a global level.
20
Muñoz-Rojas, Pablo A., M. A. Luersen, T. A. Carniel, and E. Bertoti. "Design of Multifunctional Truss-Like Periodic Materials Using a Global-Local Optimization Method." Defect and Diffusion Forum 312-315 (April 2011): 1073–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/ddf.312-315.1073.
Full textAbstract:
Porous materials have gained wide use in high level engineering structures due to their high stiffness/weight ratio, good energy absorption properties, etc. Frequently, thermal behavior is also an issue of concern and optimized multifunctional thermo-mechanical responses are sought for. This paper presents the application of a hybrid two-stage method for achieving an optimized layout of periodic truss-like structures in order to obtain a good compromise between thermal and mechanical elastic properties. The first stage employs a derivative free optimization method, which explores the design space, not getting trapped by local minima. The second stage uses a derivative based optimization algorithm to perform a refinement of the solution obtained in the first stage.
21
Abul-Ez, Mahmoud, and Mohra Zayed. "Criteria in Nuclear Fréchet Spaces and Silva Spaces with Refinement of the Cannon-Whittaker Theory." Journal of Function Spaces 2020 (November 7, 2020): 1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8817877.
Full textAbstract:
Along with the theory of bases in function spaces, the existence of a basis is not always guaranteed. The class of power series spaces contains many classical function spaces, and it is of interest to look for a criterion for this class to ensure the existence of bases which can be expressed in an easier form than in the classical case given by Cannon or even by Newns. In this article, a functional analytical method is provided to determine a criterion for basis transforms in nuclear Fréchet spaces ((NF)-spaces), which is indeed a refinement and a generalization of those given in this concern through the theory of Whittaker on polynomial bases. The provided results are supported by illustrative examples. Then, we give the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of bases in Silva spaces. Moreover, a nuclearity criterion is given for Silva spaces with bases. Subsequently, we show that the presented results refine and generalize the fundamental theory of Cannon-Whittaker on the effectiveness property in the sense of infinite matrices.
22
Malcata, Francisco B., P. Theo Pepler, Emily L. O'Reilly, Nicola Brady, P. David Eckersall, Ruth N. Zadoks, and Lorenzo Viora. "Point-of-care tests for bovine clinical mastitis: what do we have and what do we need?" Journal of Dairy Research 87, S1 (July 30, 2020): 60–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002202992000062x.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractMastitis, inflammation of the bovine mammary gland, is generally caused by intramammary infection with bacteria, and antimicrobials have long been a corner stone of mastitis control. As societal concern about antimicrobial use in animal agriculture grows, there is pressure to reduce antimicrobial use in dairy farming. Point-of-care tests for on-farm use are increasingly available as tools to support this. In this Research Reflection, we consider available culture-dependent and culture-independent tests in the context of ASSURED criteria for low-resource settings, including convenience criteria, scientific criteria and societal criteria that can be used to evaluate test performance. As tests become more sophisticated and sensitive, we may be generating more data than we need. Special attention is given to the relationship between test outcomes and treatment decisions, including issues of diagnostic refinement, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and detection of viable organisms. In addition, we explore the role of technology, big data and people in improved performance and uptake of point-of-care tests, recognising that societal barriers may limit uptake of available or future tests. Finally, we propose that the 3Rs of reduction, refinement and replacement, which have been used in an animal welfare context for many years, could be applied to antimicrobial use for mastitis control on dairy farms.
23
Rastogi, Rohit, Mamta Saxena, Devendra K. Chaturvedi, Sheelu Sagar, Akshit Rajan Rastogi, Divya Sharma, Harshit Gupta, Neha Gupta, Manu Bhardwaj, and Pranav Sharma. "Surveillance on Emission of Herbal Woods and Cow Dung for Refinement of Atmosphere With Vedic Mantra." International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development 13, no. 1 (January 2022): 1–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijsesd.293242.
Full textAbstract:
Earth's atmosphere is made of two gases Nitrogen and Oxygen. Five major air pollutants are Ground level Ozone, Airborne particles or aerosols, Carbon monoxide, Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide. Air pollutants risky to human health are Ground level Ozone and Aerosols. They are the main ingredients of Smog . The ground level ozone is formed when sunlight reacts with certain chemical emissions like nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide or methane These chemicals are emitted from industrial waste, car exhaust, gasoline vapors etc. Air quality is measured with the Air Quality Index. An AQI under 50 is considered as good air quality however as the AQI number increases , it becomes a concern for human health . Researcher measured the PM level (PM 2.5 and PM 10), temperature, Humidity and other related parameters continuously on different woods in different times in a fixed size room and constrained environment to establish that Yagya is a reliable source to reduce environment pollution .
24
Rolin, Kristina. "SCIENTIFIC DISSENT AND A FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF EPISTEMIC RESPONSIBILITY." Public Affairs Quarterly 31, no. 3 (July 1, 2017): 209–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/44732793.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract There is a growing concern about the epistemic harms that may be caused by what appears to be politically and economically motivated dissent within scientific communities. Acknowledging the urgency to develop criteria for normatively appropriate dissent in science, many philosophers have turned to Helen Longino’s account of epistemically ideal communities suggesting that dissenters as well as consensus scientists ought to follow the four criteria of publicly recognized scientific venues, uptake of criticism, shared standards, and tempered equality of intellectual authority. I argue that Longino’s account is in need of refinement. In order to minimize the epistemic harms that may be caused by scientific dissent, the criterion of uptake needs to include a requirement for a fair distribution of epistemic responsibility.
25
Zobel, Dieter, and Marianna Strumpel. "Electron density: historical remarks with a focus on the Berlin school." Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials 233, no. 9-10 (September 25, 2018): 595–606. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/zkri-2018-2062.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract The history of electron density (ED) research is surveyed and its historical highlights in the 20th century are summarized. The progress, reached at the beginnig of the 21st century, is described including contributions from the Berlin school. Key experimental advances concern X-ray sources and synchrotron radiation, measuring reflection data at very low temperatures (down to ~10 K), as well as the introduction of area detectors. Methodological progress was reached by new software systems for the refinement and analysis of ED data sets. This allowed to obtain quantitative ED properties, making use of Bader’s Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). More recently methods, which combine experimental X-ray data and quantum-chemically derived wave functions, established the rapidly developing new field of “Quantum Crystallography.”
26
Lou, Maria E., Samantha T. Porter, Jason S. Massey, Beth Ventura, John Deen, and Yuzhi Li. "The Application of 3D Landmark-Based Geometric Morphometrics towards Refinement of the Piglet Grimace Scale." Animals 12, no. 15 (July 30, 2022): 1944. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12151944.
Full textAbstract:
Proper methods of assessment to objectively identify pain are essential for welfare improvements of piglets undergoing surgical castration on commercial farms. The Piglet Grimace Scale (PGS) is used to identify changes in facial expressions caused by acute pain in piglets undergoing tail docking and castration. However, subjective scoring methods are a concern for the validation of the PGS. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and refine the PGS through 3D landmark geometric morphometrics. Male piglets (n = 88) were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: castration and sham-castration. Piglet facial images were taken at four time points (before treatment, immediately post-treatment, 1 h post-treatment, and 4 h post-treatment) using a photogrammetry rig. Images were scored by four raters using five facial action units (FAUs): orbital tightening, ear position, temporal tension, lip contraction, and nose bulge/cheek tension. Three-dimensional facial models were generated and landmarked denoting 3 FAUs (orbital tightening, lip contraction, and nose bulge/cheek tension). Results suggest that orbital tightening and ear position may be reliable FAUs for the PGS. However, neither the PGS nor 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics were able (both p > 0.10) to reliably identify facial indicators of pain in piglets undergoing castration.
27
Tarazona, Jose V., Irene Cattaneo, Lars Niemann, Susana Pedraza-Diaz, Maria Carmen González-Caballero, Mercedes de Alba-Gonzalez, Ana Cañas, et al. "A Tiered Approach for Assessing Individual and Combined Risk of Pyrethroids Using Human Biomonitoring Data." Toxics 10, no. 8 (August 4, 2022): 451. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080451.
Full textAbstract:
Pyrethroids are a major insecticide class, suitable for biomonitoring in humans. Due to similarities in structure and metabolic pathways, urinary metabolites are common to various active substances. A tiered approach is proposed for risk assessment. Tier I was a conservative screening for overall pyrethroid exposure, based on phenoxybenzoic acid metabolites. Subsequently, probabilistic approaches and more specific metabolites were used for refining the risk estimates. Exposure was based on 95th percentiles from HBM4EU aligned studies (2014–2021) covering children in Belgium, Cyprus, France, Israel, Slovenia, and The Netherlands and adults in France, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland. In all children populations, the 95th percentiles for 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) exceeded the screening value. The probabilistic refinement quantified the risk level of the most exposed population (Belgium) at 2% or between 1–0.1% depending on the assumptions. In the substance specific assessments, the 95th percentiles of urinary concentrations in the aligned studies were well below the respective human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). Both information sets were combined for refining the combined risk. Overall, the HBM data suggest a low health concern, at population level, related to pyrethroid exposure for the populations covered by the studies, even though a potential risk for highly exposed children cannot be completely excluded. The proposed tiered approach, including a screening step and several refinement options, seems to be a promising tool of scientific and regulatory value in future.
28
Li, Fachao, Ruya Fan, and Chenxia Jin. "A Study of Team Recommended Generalized Assignment Methods." Axioms 11, no. 9 (September 9, 2022): 465. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/axioms11090465.
Full textAbstract:
This study considers the team recommendation problem as a generalized assignment problem. Firstly, a formal description of the team recommendation problem is given; secondly, a team-recommended generalized assignment model (TRGAM) is established based on the work ability value of alternative members, the comprehensive work ability value of the team as the core concern index, the importance weight of team tasks and the energy allocation weight of team members as the fusion strategy of the data; thirdly, a solution method for the standard case of TRGAM is designed using the enumeration method and Hungarian algorithms (BEMÅHM–TRGAMs) as local computational tools; fourthly, the alternative member set refinement methods and standardization measures for TRGAM are given; finally, BEMÅHM–TRGAMs are analyzed using specific arithmetic examples. The theoretical analysis and experimental results show that TRGAM has good structural features and interpretability and BEMÅHM–TRGAMs can effectively solve the TRGAM solving problem.
29
Mozolevski, Igor, and Endre Süli. "A Priori Error Analysis for the hp-Version of the Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Method for the Biharmonic Equation." Computational Methods in Applied Mathematics 3, no. 4 (2003): 596–607. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/cmam-2003-0037.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractWe consider the hp-version of the discontinuous Galerkin finite element approximation of boundary value problems for the biharmonic equation. Our main concern is the a priori error analysis of the method, based on a nonsymmetric bilinear form with interior discontinuity penalization terms. We establish an a priori error bound for the method which is of optimal order with respect to the mesh size h , and nearly optimal with respect to the degree p of the polynomial approximation. For analytic solutions, the method exhibits an exponential rate of convergence under p- refinement. These results are shown in the DG-norm for a general shape regular family of partitions consisting of d-dimensional parallelepipeds. The theoretical results are confirmed by numerical experiments. The method has also been tested on several practical problems of thin-plate-bending theory and has been shown to be competitive in accuracy with existing algorithms.
30
Rose, Margaret. "Welfare Phenotyping of Genetically-Modified Mice." Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 37, no. 2 (April 2009): 181–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/026119290903700206.
Full textAbstract:
Technologies that enable the targeted manipulation of the genome have created new opportunities to study the role and interplay of specific genes in both the regulation and function of physiological and behavioural processes and in the development of pathological conditions. Despite the potential benefits, there are ethical issues in relation to the application of these technologies, some of which relate to the impact on the welfare of the animals involved. Matters of concern include the methods involved in the derivation and production of genetically-modified (GM) animals and resulting phenotypes, where animal welfare is compromised. In the case of the latter, this may be the predicted consequence of the genetic modification, but the occurrence of unforeseen animal welfare complications is a major challenge in the management of GM animals. There has been a rapid escalation in the development of new GM lines, most of them involving mice. Databases of available lines have been developed by national and international consortia, and researchers have developed standard protocols to describe the phenotype of a new line; increasingly, such data are entered into these databases. The inclusion of animal welfare assessments with these data would provide a powerful and sophisticated tool to promote refinement. The scope, level and frequency of monitoring would facilitate the identification of unpredicted effects and the management of humane endpoints, and would identify opportunities to manage the animals so as to ameliorate negative impacts. Furthermore, by highlighting the subtleties of gene–environment interactions, such data have wider implications in achieving the goals of refinement.
31
Chowwanonthapunya, Thee, and Chaiyawat Peeratatsuwan. "The Influence of Fe on Grain Refinement of Recycled A 356 Alloy Initially Refined by Al-5Ti-1B Master Alloy." Trends in Sciences 20, no. 1 (November 24, 2022): 6393. http://dx.doi.org/10.48048/tis.2023.6393.
Full textAbstract:
This research investigated the effect of Fe on the grain refinement of the recycled A 356 alloy refined by Al-5Ti-1B master alloy using macrostructure examination and chemical composition analysis. Results showed that as recycling number increased, the grain refining performance of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy decreased, particularly in the subsequence recycling process. The decreased concentration of titanium and boron were responsible for the degraded grain refining effect in the recycled A356 alloy. Appropriate concentration of the residual iron in recycled A356 provided the grain refining effect which can compensate the degraded grain refining performance of Al-5Ti-1B master alloy. It is suggested that adding the additional Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner and an intentionally added iron of 0.3 wt. % should be a practical alternative to maintain the grain refining efficiency of recycled A356 alloy.
HIGHLIGHTS
Significant concern of the recycling process of A356 alloy is the degradation of the grain refining performance of Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner
The role of Fe on the grain refinement of Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner in the recycled A356 alloy is doubtful
The concentration reduction of titanium and boron was responsible for the degradation of the grain refining efficiency
Appropriate concentration of the residual Fe in recycled A356 alloy provides the grain refining effect
Adding the additional Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner and an intentionally added Fe of 0.3 % wt is suggested to be a practical alternative to maintain the grain refining efficiency of recycled A356 alloy
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
32
Shi, Fengyan, Young-Kwang Choi, Matt Malej, Jane M. Smith, and James T. Kirby. "BOUSSINESQ MODELING OF SHIP-WAKES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO COASTAL EROSION IN AN ADAPTIVE MESH REFINEMENT SYSTEM." Coastal Engineering Proceedings, no. 36 (December 30, 2018): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.9753/icce.v36.waves.25.
Full textAbstract:
Heavy ship traffic causes a growing concern with respect to public safety, potential damage of coastal structures, and corresponding environmental impacts. High-speed ship-generated wakes such as solitons, undular bores, and breaking bores behave differently compared to wind waves and have a great potential for damage in vulnerable areas such as low-energy coasts and wetlands. In this study, we are developing a multi-grid model framework for the Fully Nonlinear Boussinesq Wave Model, FUNWAVE-TVD (Shi et al., 2012), for simulating ship-wakes in both the operational scale and refined process scales using full two-way coupling. Physical processes in areas of interest requiring higher model resolution, such as the ship-wake generation region, wave breaking in the near-field, and wave evolution with wave-structure interaction in the nearshore field, will be modeled in refined grids embedded in the operational-scale domain. A dynamically adaptive grid algorithm is implemented in order to track a vessel and calculate the physical processes precisely in the wave generation and breaking region in the vicinity of the vessel. Both pressure source and panel source methods for ship wave generation will be tested in the model framework. A concept of nesting layers based on the hierarchical basis, and an efficient parallelization method in the context of the full domain partition are utilized to allow the model to deal with a large-scale computation efficiently in a High Performance Computing (HPC) system.
33
Kim, Ye Lim, and Jung Hyun Chae. "Teachers' Levels of Use and Stages of Concern Regarding Metaverse-based Classes in Home Economics Education." Family and Environment Research 60, no. 3 (August 26, 2022): 331–44. http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/fer.2022.022.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to identify a support method for the introduction of metaverse-based classes (MBC) in home economics (HE) education. This was achieved by diagnosing the stages of concern and levels of use exhibited by HE teachers applying the concerns-based adoption model (CBAM). Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of middle- and high-school HE teachers using the KSDC (Korea Social Science Data Center). Overall, 271 responses were received, and the data were analyzed using KSDC E-STAT 3.0 and SPSS 28.0.1.1. The results were as follows: First, regarding the level of knowledge of MBC, the introductory level was the most common (139 respondents, 51.3%,), followed by the beginner level (81, 29.9%), the intermediate level (28, 10.3%,), the advanced level (12, 4.4%), and the master level (11, 4.1%). Average responses on a 5-point Likert scale to questions about the use of metaverse in HE classes were as follows: possibility (4.02), necessity (3.82), and usefulness (3.90). Second, HE teachers' stages of concern in MBC were as follows (in descending order): unconcerned - stage 0, and information - stage 1 (86.9), personal - stage 2 (85.6), management - stage 3 (80.9), collaboration - stage 5 (57.5), consequence - stage 4 (57.4), and refocusing - stage 6 (55.2). Third, the use of MBC was highest for orientation - level 1 (173 respondents, 63.8%), followed by non-use - level 0 (34, 12.5%), preparation - level 2 (29, 10.7%), mechanical - level 3 (15, 5.5%), refinement - level 5 (8, 3.0%), renewal - level 7 (8, 3.0%), routine - level 4 (3, 1.1%), and integration - level 6 (1, 0.4%). Many HE teachers had heard about MBC but were in the introductory level of not knowing what it is, and at the stage of being unconcerned or wanting to know about MBC. Of the 271 respondents, only 35 used metaverse in classes. Therefore, it is necessary to provide teacher training opportunities that provide basic information on the significance and implementation of MBC for HE teachers. Also, an MBC guideline book should be developed and distributed to HE teachers. Finally, a teacher community meeting is needed to share the expertise of teachers with substantial experience in using MBC.
34
Reardon, R., M. McManus, D. Kolodny-Hirsch, R. Tichenor, M. Raupp, C. Schwalbe, R. Webb, and P. Meckley. "Development and Implementation of a Gypsy Moth Integrated Pest Management Program." Arboriculture & Urban Forestry 13, no. 9 (September 1, 1987): 209–16. http://dx.doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1987.045.
Full textAbstract:
The current approach to gypsy moth management in the United States involves applying insecticides to eliminate isolated infestations, and to suppress populations in areas of regulatory concern or where socioeconomic impacts are projected to occur. An alternative approach, integrated pest management, is being implemented over a wide range of ecological, geographic, and land-use areas within a three-county area in Maryland to evaluate the feasibility of managing gypsy moth populations at low levels. This project is structured around a comprehensive biological monitoring system that provides an annual data base on the distribution, density, and trend of gypsy moth populations. This information, in conjunction with ancillary data for landscape features (e.g., soil type, vegetation cover type, and land use) and stand susceptibility to defoliation rating, provides guidelines for prescribing an array of intervention activities. This program also supports ongoing cooperative studies in data-base management, refinement of sampling methods, and evaluation of intervention activities.
35
García, Ramiro, Encarnación Reyes, Paula Villanueva, Miguel Ángel de la Rubia, Jaime Fernández, and Amparo Moragues. "Service Life and Early Age Durability Enhancement due to Combined Metakaolin and Nanosilica in Mortars for Marine Applications." Materials 13, no. 5 (March 5, 2020): 1169. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma13051169.
Full textAbstract:
The addition of a range of micro- and nano-particles to high-performance concrete has been the focus of recent research. At present, studies are mainly aimed at designing customised mortars, providing them with specific properties for each application. Improving the durability of mortars is one of the main objectives in such research, as a result of increasing environmental concern. The research presented herein analyses the synergistic effect of nanosilica and metakaolin as additives on the service life of cement-based mortars subject to aggressive environments (i.e., chloride exposure) at early ages. The effects of the additives on the durability properties of submerged samples after two and three days of curing were analysed. Tests were conducted on several different properties: resistivity, porosity, mechanical properties, chloride diffusion, and service life. It is observed that metakaolin and nanosilica exhibit a synergistic effect as additives, which is related to porosity refinement and chloride ion binding capacity, which contributes to enhanced resistance against chloride penetration from very early ages.
36
Cheng, Lifen, and Maria Eugenia González. "Is It A Small World After All?" International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals 5, no. 3 (July 2014): 47–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijhcitp.2014070104.
Full textAbstract:
The use of computer-mediated communication has led researchers to contradictory argumentations on information and communication technology (ICT) influences on users' engagement in their societal concern. The present study was focused on exploring the intercultural communication competence in terms of developmental model of intercultural sensitivity in netizens among Spanish college students. For this purpose, a pilot study was given to 64 volunteered respondents in order to assess comprehensiveness of a survey questionnaire dealing with popular conceptions of intercultural competence. After some minor adjustment and refinement, the improved questionnaire was used as instrument for research in which 398 university student participants were recruited to participate. Finding data were used to map the way the participants' intercultural competencies are positioned. Moreover, some significant regression coefficient outcomes were fitted into models in attempt to examine direct and indirect effect produced on internet ICT users' intercultural competence produced by the prediction and mediation variables considered for analysis in the present research.
37
STARK, MEREDITH, and JOSEPH J. FINS. "The Ethical Imperative to Think about Thinking." Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 23, no. 4 (July 17, 2014): 386–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0963180114000061.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract:While the medical ethics literature has well explored the harm to patients, families, and the integrity of the profession in failing to disclose medical errors once they occur, less often addressed are the moral and professional obligations to take all available steps to prevent errors and harm in the first instance. As an expanding body of scholarship further elucidates the causes of medical error, including the considerable extent to which medical errors, particularly in diagnostics, may be attributable to cognitive sources, insufficient progress in systematically evaluating and implementing suggested strategies for improving critical thinking skills and medical judgment is of mounting concern. Continued failure to address pervasive thinking errors in medical decisionmaking imperils patient safety and professionalism, as well as beneficence and nonmaleficence, fairness and justice. We maintain that self-reflective and metacognitive refinement of critical thinking should not be construed as optional but rather should be considered an integral part of medical education, a codified tenet of professionalism, and by extension, a moral and professional duty.
38
Kang, Suk Hoon, Jae Hyung Cho, Joon Sub Hwang, Jong Soo Cho, Yong Jin Park, Jung Tak Moon, and Kyu Hwan Oh. "Deformation and Heat Treatment of Cold Drawn Gold." Materials Science Forum 550 (July 2007): 289–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.550.289.
Full textAbstract:
Cold drawn gold wires are widely applied in electronic packaging process to interconnect micro-electronic components. They basically provides a conducting path for electronic signal transfer, and experience thermo-mechanical loads in use. The mechanical stability of drawn gold wires is a matter of practical concern in the reliable functioning of electronic devices. It is known that mechanical properties of materials are deeply related to the microstructure. With appropriate control of deformation and heat processes, the mechanical properties of final products, such as tensile strength and elongation can be improved. Severe plastic deformation by torsion usually contributes to grain refinement and increment of strength. In this study, microstructure variations with torsion strain followed by drawing and heat treatment were investigated. Analyses by focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) were carried out to characterize the effect of deformation and heat treatment on the drawn gold wires. Pattern quality of EBSD measurements was used as a quantitative measure for plastic deformation.
39
Hartati, Niken Sri, Andi Thahir, and Ahmad Fauzan. "Manajemen Program Penguatan Pendidikan Karakter Melalui Pembelajaran Daring dan Luring di Masa Pandemi Covid 19-New Normal." El-Idare: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam 6, no. 2 (December 22, 2020): 97–116. http://dx.doi.org/10.19109/elidare.v6i2.6915.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to understand the management of strengthening character education through online and offline learning during the Covid 19 New Normal pandemic which includes planning, implementation and evaluation. The research method used a qualitative descriptive method through observation, documentation and interviews at MTs Hidayatul Islamiyah Bandar Lampung. Data were analyzed using the following steps: data reduction, display data, and conclusion / verification). The results of this study indicate that first, planning to strengthen student character education has been carried out properly through the preparation of objectives, strategies and policy mapping as well as procedure mapping and program refinement using RPP designs; second, the implementation of character education runs well through activities of a religious nature, planting nationalism, social care and concern for the environment; third, evaluation of the management of the strengthening of character education of students through monitoring activities on the implementation of activities by carrying out reflection, analysis and follow-up plans.
40
Sani, S. A., and A. M. Haris. "A microbial technology approach using bioleaching for low grade metals extraction - a review." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1103, no. 1 (November 1, 2022): 012019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1103/1/012019.
Full textAbstract:
Bioleaching is a promising technological advancement of metal refinement which arises from the application of beneficial microorganism. Low grade ores and electronic waste (e-waste) that contains significant amounts of “critical metals” such as the rare earth elements (REE) are commonly discarded in waste heaps which causes major pollution. The over mining of the primary resources of REE is becoming a major concern considering its limited supply and increasing demand. Bioleaching application is able to provide not only a simpler method of metal leaching but are also cost-effective in comparison to chemical leaching and thermo-hydrometallurgy. By applying bioleaching in major e-waste treatments, we can extract back significant amounts of REE with lower cost and better environmental impacts. This review provides studies which discuss the backgrounds of bioleaching, its methods and mechanisms, direct comparison of chemical leaching, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and bioleaching in terms of its economic and environmental aspect and lastly its future in the mining industry in Malaysia.
41
Singh, Pravin Kumar, and Sabiha Naaz. "A Case Report of Behavioural Refinement in a Child Suffering from Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Using Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine." Homœopathic Links 35, no. 04 (December 2022): 286–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1755306.
Full textAbstract:
Abstract Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the commonest juvenile psychiatric disorder distinguished by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD is a serious public health concern because it has a long-term negative impact on academic, career and social-emotional development, thereby hampering the quality of life of the individual. Owing to the prolonged, expensive and ambiguous treatment, an increasing number of parents turn towards homeopathy for safe and cost-effective treatment of their ‘trouble-makers’ as they are labeled. Method A 7-year-old child diagnosed with ADHD (combined type) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) uncomplicated with other psychiatric comorbidity presented to the outpatient department after having consulted various physicians in succession in search of effective treatment. The child received individualised homoeopathic medicine. Outcome was measured using the parent completed Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised-Short version (CPRS:R-S) every 4 months. Results At the start of the treatment, the child's CPRS:R-S score was 76 which was very high. After a year, it was reduced to eight (within normal range). Conclusion This case demonstrates the usefulness of individualised homoeopathic treatment in improving the ADHD status over a span of 1 year. Nevertheless, large sample randomised controlled trials would be required to approve or disprove this single case observation.
42
Banasiak, Monika, Andrzej Hornik, Stanisław Szczęch, Janusz Majta, Marcin Kwiecień, Agnieszka Cebo-Rudnicka, Marcin Rywotycki, and Krzysztof Muszka. "Effect of Hot-Rolled Heavy Section Bars Post-Deformation Cooling on the Microstructure Refinement and Mechanical Properties of Microalloyed Steels." Metals 11, no. 8 (August 14, 2021): 1284. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/met11081284.
Full textAbstract:
In the industrial practice—especially in the reverse rolling mills—heavy section products with stable mechanical properties (YS, UTS) and ductility (A, Z) but with an impact toughness (KV) at too low levels are often observed. The results presented in the present work concern the relationship between the parameters of the cooling process of rolled products made of microalloyed steels, with different chemical compositions (such as Al-N, Al-N-V, Al-N-Ti) and their mechanical properties. Special focus was put on the relationship between chemical composition, grain size and impact toughness at subzero temperatures. It is shown, that by introducing the restrictions towards more strict control of the levels of Al, Ti, V, and N, it can be ensured that the final parameters are not that sensitive to process parameters variations which, hence, provides the required mechanical properties and especially impacts on the toughness requirements for a wide range of section products. It was also found that by slight modifications of microalloying elements and proper control of the process parameters, it is possible to replace commonly used normalizing annealing heat treatment after rolling with normalizing rolling.
43
Mazzeo, S. E., K. S. Mitchell, C. M. Bulik, T. Reichborn-Kjennerud, K. S. Kendler, and M. C. Neale. "Assessing the heritability of anorexia nervosa symptoms using a marginal maximal likelihood approach." Psychological Medicine 39, no. 3 (May 19, 2008): 463–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291708003310.
Full textAbstract:
BackgroundAssessment of eating disorders at the symptom level can facilitate the refinement of phenotypes. We examined genetic and environmental contributions to liability to anorexia nervosa (AN) symptoms in a population-based twin sample using a genetic common pathway model.MethodParticipants were from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel (NIPHTP) and included all female monozygotic (MZ; 448 complete pairs and four singletons) and dizygotic (DZ; 263 complete pairs and four singletons) twins who completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) assessing DSM-IV Axis I and ICD-10 criteria. Responses to items assessing AN symptoms were included in a model fitted using the marginal maximum likelihood (MML) approach.ResultsHeritability of the overall AN diagnosis was moderate [a2=0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0–0.50] whereas heritabilities of the specific items varied. Heritability estimates for weight loss items were moderate (a2=0.31–0.34) and items assessing weight concern when at a low weight were smaller (0.18–0.29). Additive genetic factors contributed little to the variance of amenorrhea, which was most strongly influenced by unshared environment (a2=0.16, e2=0.71).ConclusionsAN symptoms are differentially heritable. Specific criteria such as those related to body weight and weight loss history represent more biologically driven potential endophenotypes or liability indices. The results regarding weight concern differ somewhat from those of previous studies, highlighting the importance of assessing genetic and environmental influences on variance of traits within specific subgroups of interest.
44
Gou, Jinlan, Xin Yuan, and Xinrong Su. "Adaptive mesh refinement method based investigation of the interaction between shock wave, boundary layer, and tip vortex in a transonic compressor." Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering 232, no. 4 (January 10, 2017): 694–715. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0954410016687142.
Full textAbstract:
Shock wave and tip leakage are important flow features at small length scales. These flow phenomena and their interactions play important roles in the performance of modern transonic fans and compressors. In most numerical predictions of these features, mesh convergence studies are conducted using overall performance data as criteria. However, less effort is made in assessing the quality of the predicted small-scale features using a mesh that yields a fairly accurate overall performance. In this work, this problem is addressed using the adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) method, which automatically refines the local mesh and provides very high resolution for the small-scale flow feature, at much less cost compared with globally refining the mesh. An accurate and robust AMR system suitable for turbomachinery applications is developed in this work and the widely studied NASA Rotor-37 case is investigated using the current AMR method. The complex interactions between the shock wave and the boundary layer, as well as those between the shock wave and the tip vortex, are accurately captured by AMR with a very high local grid resolution, and the flow mechanisms are analyzed in detail. The baseline mesh, which is considered to be “acceptable” according to the commonly used mesh convergence study, is unable to capture the detailed interaction between the shock wave and the boundary layer. Moreover, it falsely predicts the tip leakage vortex breakdown, which is a consequence of inadequate resolution in the tip region. Current work highlights the importance of a careful check of the mesh convergence, if small-scale features are the primary concern. The AMR method developed in this work successfully captures the flow details in the transonic compressor in an automatic fashion, and has been verified to be efficient compared with the globally mesh refinement or manually mesh regeneration.
45
Balagangadhar, Ramesh, and Joseph C. Slater. "On the Convergence of Nonlinear Modes of a Finite Element Model." Shock and Vibration 15, no. 6 (2008): 655–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/645014.
Full textAbstract:
Convergence of finite element models is generally realized via observation of mesh independence. In linear systems invariance of linear modes to further mesh refinement is often used to assess mesh independence. These linear models are, however, often coupled with nonlinear elements such as CFD models, nonlinear control systems, or joint dynamics. The introduction of a single nonlinear element can significantly alter the degree of mesh refinement necessary for sufficient model accuracy. Application of nonlinear modal analysis [1,2] illustrates that using linear modal convergence as a measure of mesh quality in the presence of nonlinearities is inadequate. The convergence of the nonlinear normal modes of a simply supported beam modeled using finite elements is examined. A comparison is made to the solution of Boivin, Pierre, and Shaw [3]. Both methods suffer from the need for convergence in power series approximations. However, the finite element modeling method introduces the additional concern of mesh independence, even when the meshing the linear part of the model unless p-type elements are used [4]. The importance of moving to a finite element approach for nonlinear modal analysis is the ability to solve problems of a more complex geometry for which no closed form solution exists. This case study demonstrates that a finite element model solution converges nearly as well as a continuous solution, and presents rough guidelines for the number of expansion terms and elements needed for various levels of solution accuracy. It also demonstrates that modal convergence occurs significantly more slowly in the nonlinear model than in the corresponding linear model. This illustrates that convergence of linear modes may be an inadequate measure of mesh independence when even a small part of a model is nonlinear.
46
Neely, M. D., and J. G. Nicholls. "Electrical activity, growth cone motility and the cytoskeleton." Journal of Experimental Biology 198, no. 7 (July 1, 1995): 1433–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.198.7.1433.
Full textAbstract:
The development of the nervous system takes place in two main steps: first an extensive preliminary network is formed and then it is pruned and trimmed to establish the final form. This refinement is achieved by mechanisms that include cell death, selective growth and loss of neurites and the stabilization and elimination of synapses. The focus of this review is on selective neurite retraction during development, with particular emphasis on the role of electrical activity. In many developing vertebrate and invertebrate neurones, the frequency and duration of ongoing impulse activity determine the final arborizations and the pattern of connections. When impulse traffic is silenced, axons fail to retract branches that had grown to inappropriate destinations in the mammalian visual system, cerebellum and neuromuscular junctions. Similarly, in crustaceans, Drosophila melanogaster and leeches, refinements in axonal morphology during development are influenced by impulse activity. From experiments made in culture, it has been possible to mimic these events and to show a clear link between the density of voltage-activated calcium channels in a neurite and its retraction following stimulation. The distribution of these calcium channels in turn is determined by the substratum with which the neurites are in contact or by the formation of synapses. Several lines of evidence suggest that calcium entry into the growth cone leads to collapse by disruption of actin filaments. One candidate for coupling membrane events to neurite retraction is the microfilament-associated protein gelsolin which, in its calcium-activated state, severs actin filaments. Open questions that remain concern the differential effects of activity on dendrites and axons as well as the mechanisms by which the growth cone integrates information derived from stimuli in the cell and in the extracellular environment.
47
Widjaja, Frances, Yasser Alhejji, and Ivonne M. C. M. Rietjens. "The Role of Kinetics as Key Determinant in Toxicity of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Their N-Oxides." Planta Medica 88, no. 02 (November 5, 2021): 130–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/a-1582-9794.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractPyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a large group of plant constituents of which especially the 1,2- unsaturated PAs raise a concern because of their liver toxicity and potential genotoxic carcinogenicity. This toxicity of PAs depends on their kinetics. Differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) characteristics of PAs may substantially alter the relative toxicity of PAs. As a result, kinetics will also affect relative potency (REP) values. The present review summarizes the current state-of-the art on PA kinetics and resulting consequences for toxicity and illustrates how physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) modelling can be applied to take kinetics into account when defining the relative differences in toxicity between PAs in the in vivo situation. We conclude that toxicokinetics play an important role in the overall toxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. and that kinetics should therefore be considered when defining REP values for combined risk assessment. New approach methodologies (NAMs) can be of use to quantify these kinetic differences between PAs and their N-oxides, thus contributing to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) in animal studies.
48
Luengo-Polo, Jeronimo, David Conde-Caballero, Borja Rivero-Jiménez, Inmaculada Ballesteros-Yáñez, Carlos A. Castillo-Sarmiento, and Lorenzo Mariano-Juárez. "Rationale and Methods of Evaluation for ACHO, A New Virtual Assistant to Improve Therapeutic Adherence in Rural Elderly Populations: A User-Driven Living Lab." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 15 (July 26, 2021): 7904. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157904.
Full textAbstract:
Low therapeutic adherence is a concern for health professionals as it decreases therapeutic efficiency while increasing costs, especially in elderly populations. To increase therapeutic adherence in elderly populations, the technology applied in the medical devices that are used must be adapted to improve usability. This paper outlines the rationale behind, and methods applied to assess the usability of, ACHO (Assistant on Care and Health Offline), a voice assistant that provides elderly patients with reminders of medical appointments to attend and when they need to take their medication. This work is a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study, and will include a three-phase (analysis, testing and refinement) multidimensional usability analysis of an initial prototype, in the setting of a user-driven Living Lab, which enables the needs and characteristics of the end users to be identified and incorporated into the prototype with each iteration, in which a multidisciplinary team of researchers and users will participate as co-creators. This methodology will allow us to develop a better prototype, increasing usability and, thus, increasing therapeutic adherence.
49
Holtz, Peter, Nicole Kronberger, and Wolfgang Wagner. "Analyzing Internet Forums." Journal of Media Psychology 24, no. 2 (January 2012): 55–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000062.
Full textAbstract:
Within Internet forums, members of certain (online) communities discuss matters of concern to the respective groups, with comparatively few social restraints. For radical, extremist, and other ideologically “sensitive” groups and organizations in particular, Internet forums are a very efficient and widely used tool to connect members, inform others about the group’s agenda, and attract new members. Whereas members of such groups may be reluctant to express their opinions in interviews or surveys, we argue that Internet forums can yield an abundance of useful “natural” discursive data for social scientific research. Based on two exemplary studies, we present a practical guide for the analysis of such data, including data-sampling strategies, the refinement of the data for computer-assisted qualitative and quantitative analysis, and strategies for in-depth analysis. The first study is an in-depth analysis of discourses within a German neo-Nazi discussion board. In the second, nine online forums for young German Muslims were analyzed and compared. Advantages and potential issues with analyzing Internet forums are discussed.
50
Vorstenbosch, JMG. "The ethics of the Three Rs principle: a reconsideration." Animal Welfare 14, no. 4 (November 2005): 339–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0962728600029675.
Full textAbstract:
AbstractIn the past decades the Three Rs concept, famously launched by Russell and Burch in their 1959 book The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique, has gained a prominent place in the landscape of societal and ethical concern about animal use. Important scientific and institutional initiatives have been taken in order to promote replacement, reduction and refinement. It appears, however, that conceptual and ethical thinking about the presuppositions and changing contexts of the Three Rs concept has lagged behind the scientific and practical efforts. In this paper, first, I argue that there is a threefold argument to make for the need to reconsider the moral basis of the Three Rs concept. Second, I outline a number of standard assumptions of the traditional approach to the Three Rs and question the tenability of these assumptions. Third, I propose some elements of a new framework for the Three Rs principle and connect this to a number of developments in science and society. I conclude with four remarks on the future of the ethics of the Three Rs principle.