Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
General Methodology (general + methodology)
Selected AbstractsPalladium/Lewis Acid Catalyzed Reactions of Bicyclic Hydrazines with Organostannanes: A General Methodology for the Stereoselective Synthesis of 3,4-Disubstituted Cyclopentenes.CHEMINFORM, Issue 37 2006V. S. Sajisha Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] After BitTorrent: Darknets to Native DataARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, Issue 5 2006Anthony Burke Abstract What are the implications of the inherent reflexivity of the Internet for the design professions? Anthony Burke argues that radically innovative and distributed forms of information exchange such as BitTorrent suggest a general shift away from the traditional conception of the architect as master builder to one more in line with the collaborative remixing and patching tactics of the hacker. BitTorrent is a communications protocol that allows massive information exchange across infinite users with minimum resources. Through its sheer force of collectively pooled imagination, it provides a potent example of the sorts of platforms of information exchange that foster the new forms of communal organisation that Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri term the ,Multitude', and which productively challenge conventional models of cultural invention and production. In this context, Burke raises questions about the implications of this broader shift for the design professions' business organisation, as well as their more general methodologies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Suppression of background gradients in (B0 gradient-based) NMR diffusion experimentsCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 5 2007Gang Zheng Abstract Artifacts arising from background gradients are very common in NMR diffusion (i.e., PGSE) experiments involving B0 gradients because of the unavoidable magnetic susceptibility differences and B0 inhomogeneity within and around the sample. This article presents the general methodology to develop PGSE sequences with background gradient suppression. Most of the available methods which can be used for the suppression of the effects of background gradients are discussed. And two newly developed methods are presented in detail: frequency analysis of spin-dephasing, which assumes the artifacts due to background gradients come from the resonance between the spin-dephasing caused by applied gradients and background gradients, and asymmetric bipolar stimulated-echo-based PGSE, which can suppress the effects of nonconstant background gradients. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 30A: 261,277, 2007. [source] Vertical (La,Sr)MnO3 Nanorods from Track-Etched Polymers Directly Buffering SubstratesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 6 2010Adrián Carretero-Genevrier Abstract A novel and general methodology for preparing vertical, complex-oxide nanostructures from a sol,gel-based polymer-precursor solutions is developed using track-etched polymers directly buffering substrates. This method is able to develop a nanostructure over the entire substrate, the dimensions and localization of the vertical nanostructures being preset by the polymeric nanotemplate. Thereby, nanostructures with lateral sizes in the range of 100 to 300,nm and up to 500,nm in height have been grown. Two examples are presented herein, the latter being the evolution of the initial, metastable nanostructure. Specifically, La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 polycrystalline rods are grown at mild temperatures (800,°C); upon strong thermal activation (1000,°C) they suffer a profound transformation into vertical, single-crystalline (La,Sr)xOy nanopyramids sitting on a La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 epitaxial wetting layer. The driving force for this outstanding nanostructural evolution is the minimization of the total energy of the system, which is reached by reducing the grain-boundary, total-surface, and strain-relaxation energies. Finally, advanced electron-microscopy techniques are used to highlight the complex phase separation and structural transformations occurring when the metastable state is overcome. [source] High-Performance Photoresponsive Organic Nanotransistors with Single-Layer Graphenes as Two-Dimensional ElectrodesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 17 2009Yang Cao Abstract Graphene behaves as a robust semimetal with the high electrical conductivity stemming from its high-quality tight two-dimensional crystallographic lattice. It is therefore a promising electrode material. Here, a general methodology for making stable photoresponsive field effect transistors, whose device geometries are comparable to traditional macroscopic semiconducting devices at the nanometer scale, using cut graphene sheets as 2D contacts is detailed. These contacts are produced through oxidative cutting of individual 2D planar graphene by electron beam lithography and oxygen plasma etching. Nanoscale organic transistors based on graphene contacts show high-performance FET behavior with bulk-like carrier mobility, high on/off current ratio, and high reproducibility. Due to the presence of photoactive molecules, the devices display reversible changes in current when they are exposed to visible light. The calculated responsivity of the devices is found to be as high as ,8.3,A,W,1. This study forms the basis for making new types of ultrasensitive molecular devices, thus initiating broad research interest in the field of nanoscale/molecular electronics. [source] Bayesian estimation of financial modelsACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 2 2002Philip Gray This paper outlines a general methodology for estimating the parameters of financial models commonly employed in the literature. A numerical Bayesian technique is utilised to obtain the posterior density of model parameters and functions thereof. Unlike maximum likelihood estimation, where inference is only justified in large samples, the Bayesian densities are exact for any sample size. A series of simulation studies are conducted to compare the properties of point estimates, the distribution of option and bond prices, and the power of specification tests under maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Results suggest that maximum,likelihood,based asymptotic distributions have poor finite,sampleproperties. [source] High-order filtering for control volume flow simulationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 7 2001G. De Stefano Abstract A general methodology is presented in order to obtain a hierarchy of high-order filter functions, starting from the standard top-hat filter, naturally linked to control volumes flow simulations. The goal is to have a new filtered variable better represented in its high resolved wavenumber components by using a suitable deconvolution. The proposed formulation is applied to the integral momentum equation, that is the evolution equation for the top-hat filtered variable, by performing a spatial reconstruction based on the approximate inversion of the averaging operator. A theoretical analysis for the Burgers' model equation is presented, demonstrating that the local de-averaging is an effective tool to obtain a higher-order accuracy. It is also shown that the subgrid-scale term, to be modeled in the deconvolved balance equation, has a smaller absolute importance in the resolved wavenumber range for increasing deconvolution order. A numerical analysis of the procedure is presented, based on high-order upwind and central fluxes reconstruction, leading to congruent control volume schemes. Finally, the features of the present high-order conservative formulation are tested in the numerical simulation of a sample turbulent flow: the flow behind a backward-facing step. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A general methodology for investigating flow instabilities in complex geometries: application to natural convection in enclosuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 2 2001E. Gadoin Abstract This paper presents a general methodology for studying instabilities of natural convection flows enclosed in cavities of complex geometry. Different tools have been developed, consisting of time integration of the unsteady equations, steady state solving, and computation of the most unstable eigenmodes of the Jacobian and its adjoint. The methodology is validated in the classical differentially heated cavity, where the steady solution branch is followed for vary large values of the Rayleigh number and most unstable eigenmodes are computed at selected Rayleigh values. Its effectiveness for complex geometries is illustrated on a configuration consisting of a cavity with internal heated partitions. We finally propose to reduce the Navier,Stokes equations to a differential system by expanding the unsteady solution as the sum of the steady state solution and of a linear combination of the leading eigenmodes. The principle of the method is exposed and preliminary results are presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] How to exploit external model of data for parameter estimation?INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 1 2006Miroslav Kárný Abstract Any cooperation in multiple-participant decision making (DM) relies on an exchange of individual knowledge pieces and aims. A general methodology of their rational exploitation without calling for an objective mediator is still missing. Desired methodology is proposed for an important particular case, when a participant, performing Bayesian parameter estimation, is offered a model relating the observable data to their past history. The designed solution is based on the so-called fully probabilistic design (FPD) of DM strategies. The result reduces to an ,ordinary' Bayesian estimation if the offered model is the sample probability density function (pdf), i.e. if it provides additional observations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Bifurcation analysis of a piecewise smooth system with non-linear characteristicsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUIT THEORY AND APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2005Takuji Kousaka Abstract In previous works, there are no results about the bifurcation analysis for a piecewise smooth system with non-linear characteristics. The main purpose of this study is to calculate the bifurcation sets for a piecewise smooth system with non-linear characteristics. We first propose a new method to track the bifurcation sets in the system. This method derives the composite discrete mapping, Poincaré mapping. As a result, it is possible to obtain the local bifurcation values in the parameter plane. As an illustrated example, we then apply this general methodology to the Rayleigh-type oscillator containing a state- period-dependent switch. In the circuit, we can find many subharmonic bifurcation sets including global bifurcations. We also show the bifurcation sets for the border-collision bifurcations. Some theoretical results are verified by laboratory experiments. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Seasonality only works in certain parts of the year: the reconstruction of fishing seasons through otolith analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 6 2004W. van Neer Abstract Seasonality estimations using incremental data usually suffer from small sample sizes and from the lack of comparison with sufficiently large modern samples. The present contribution reports on incremental studies carried out on large assemblages of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from a late medieval fishing village (Raversijde, Belgium) on the North Sea coast. In an attempt to refine previous seasonality estimates made for this site, and to expand conclusions concerning general methodology, extensive monthly samples of modern otoliths of these species, caught within the North Sea, have also been investigated. The modern material shows that the timing of the seasonal changes in the edge type (hyaline or opaque) of the otoliths is extremely variable and that it is dependent on the fishing ground, the year considered, and the age of the fish. It also appears that the increase of the marginal increment thickness is highly variable, to such an extent that the thickness of the last increment of a single otolith is mostly useless for seasonality estimation. Where large archaeological otolith assemblages can be studied, preferably from single depositional events, seasonality determination becomes possible on the condition, however, that the archaeological assemblage corresponds to fish that were captured during their period of fast growth. The growth ring study on the otoliths from Raversijde shows that plaice fishing took place in spring and that it was preceded by a haddock fishing season, probably in late winter/early spring. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Manganese-Promoted Regioselective Ring-Opening of 2,3-Epoxy Acid Derivatives: A New Route to ,-Hydroxy Acid DerivativesADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 13 2009Abstract A simple and general methodology directed towards the synthesis 3-aryl-2-hydroxy amides, or esters with total regioselectivity from the easily available 2,3-epoxy amides or esters, promoted by active manganese is described. Utilizing enantiopure epoxy amides as starting materials, the corresponding 3-aryl-2-hydroxy amides in enantiopure form are also available. Some synthetic applications of selected examples of 3-aryl-2-hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives are shown. A mechanism has been proposed to explain this novel reaction. [source] Microsimulation of Business PerformanceINTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL REVIEW, Issue 3 2000Philip Kokic Summary Microsimulation of business performance based on sample survey data is a relatively underdeveloped field, but its application in government economic policy formulation is potentially great since it can be used to measure the distributional effects of change rather than just average change. Techniques which account for the dynamic response of businesses to macro level price expectations have recently been developed (Kokic et al., 1993). These allow individual level business performance to be forecast from sample survey data. In this paper we outline a general methodology for combining these forecasting techniques with Monte Carlo simulation in order to produce a microsimulation of business performance that accurately captures the true distributional characteristics of the underling survey data. Applying this methodology to Australian farm survey data, we show that these methods may be used to forecast the distribution of farm business production and performance within arbitrary subdomains of the surveyed population conditional on a given set of expected commodity price outcomes. The microsimulations reflect both the uncertainty due to climatic variation from one year to the next, which in the Australian context depends largely on geographic location, as well as the uncertainty of commodity prices. [source] DIOS-MSEED: A chip-based method for measurement of enantiomeric excess by kinetic resolution/mass spectrometryISRAEL JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001Zhouxin Shen The determination of enantiomeric excess by kinetic resolution mass spectrometry has been implemented with the Desorption/Ionization On Silicon (DIOS) MS technique. Measurements can thereby be made much more rapidly than was previously possible, bringing this general methodology for screening asymmetric catalysts closer to true high-throughput status. [source] Learning, forecasting and structural breaksJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMETRICS, Issue 5 2008John M. Maheu We provide a general methodology for forecasting in the presence of structural breaks induced by unpredictable changes to model parameters. Bayesian methods of learning and model comparison are used to derive a predictive density that takes into account the possibility that a break will occur before the next observation. Estimates for the posterior distribution of the most recent break are generated as a by-product of our procedure. We discuss the importance of using priors that accurately reflect the econometrician's opinions as to what constitutes a plausible forecast. Several applications to macroeconomic time-series data demonstrate the usefulness of our procedure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A backoff strategy for model-based experiment design under parametric uncertaintyAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 8 2010Federico Galvanin Abstract Model-based experiment design techniques are an effective tool for the rapid development and assessment of dynamic deterministic models, yielding the most informative process data to be used for the estimation of the process model parameters. A particular advantage of the model-based approach is that it permits the definition of a set of constraints on the experiment design variables and on the predicted responses. However, uncertainty in the model parameters can lead the constrained design procedure to predict experiments that turn out to be, in practice, suboptimal, thus decreasing the effectiveness of the experiment design session. Additionally, in the presence of parametric mismatch, the feasibility constraints may well turn out to be violated when that optimally designed experiment is performed, leading in the best case to less informative data sets or, in the worst case, to an infeasible or unsafe experiment. In this article, a general methodology is proposed to formulate and solve the experiment design problem by explicitly taking into account the presence of parametric uncertainty, so as to ensure both feasibility and optimality of the planned experiment. A prediction of the system responses for the given parameter distribution is used to evaluate and update suitable backoffs from the nominal constraints, which are used in the design session to keep the system within a feasible region with specified probability. This approach is particularly useful when designing optimal experiments starting from limited preliminary knowledge of the parameter set, with great improvement in terms of design efficiency and flexibility of the overall iterative model development scheme. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is demonstrated and discussed by simulation through two illustrative case studies concerning the parameter identification of physiological models related to diabetes and cancer care. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Scheduling dispensing and counting in secondary pharmaceutical manufacturingAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Michele Ciavotta Abstract In this article, we describe a general methodology for operations scheduling in dispensing and counting departments of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. The departments are modeled as a multiobjective parallel machines scheduling problem under a number of both standard and realistic constraints, such as release times, due dates and deadlines, particular sequence-dependent setup times, machine unavailabilities, and maximum campaign size. Main characteristics of the methodology are the modularity of the solution algorithms, the adaptability to different objectives and constraints to fulfill production requirements, the easiness of implementation, and the ability of incorporating human experience in the scheduling algorithms. Computational experience carried out on two case studies from a real pharmaceutical plant shows the effectiveness of this approach. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Model-based measurement of latent risk in time series with applicationsJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES A (STATISTICS IN SOCIETY), Issue 1 2008Frits Bijleveld Summary., Risk is at the centre of many policy decisions in companies, governments and other institutions. The risk of road fatalities concerns local governments in planning countermeasures, the risk and severity of counterparty default concerns bank risk managers daily and the risk of infection has actuarial and epidemiological consequences. However, risk cannot be observed directly and it usually varies over time. We introduce a general multivariate time series model for the analysis of risk based on latent processes for the exposure to an event, the risk of that event occurring and the severity of the event. Linear state space methods can be used for the statistical treatment of the model. The new framework is illustrated for time series of insurance claims, credit card purchases and road safety. It is shown that the general methodology can be effectively used in the assessment of risk. [source] Laser Induced Marking of Polymer Chains with Radical Spin TrapsMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 6 2008Thomas Junkers Abstract A pathway for marking of polymer chains with radical spin traps during pulsed laser polymerization in free radical polymerization is presented. By introducing a so-called marker that forms a non-propagating radical at (or shortly after) the incidence of a laser pulse, a polymer subdistribution is generated by specifically terminating propagating radicals via combination with such a marker radical. The generated polymer subdistribution can subsequently be imaged by modern soft-ionization mass spectrometry. Herein, the general methodology of the method in which such marker is generated via reaction of an initiating radical with a nitrone is demonstrated on the examples of BA and VAc. [source] Synthesis of Polymer Brushes Using Atom Transfer Radical PolymerizationMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 18 2003Jeffrey Pyun Abstract Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) is a robust method for the preparation of well-defined (co)polymers. This process has also enabled the preparation of a wide range of polymer brushes where (co)polymers are covalently attached to either curved or flat surfaces. In this review, the general methodology for the synthesis of polymer brushes from flat surfaces, polymers and colloids is summarized focusing on reports using ATRP. Additionally, the morphology of ultrathin films from polymer brushes is discussed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other techniques to confirm the formation of nanoscale structure and organization. Formation of polymer brushes by ATRP. [source] Target Costing für Werkstoffe , Potenziale und MethodikMATERIALWISSENSCHAFT UND WERKSTOFFTECHNIK, Issue 7 2009U. Götze Target Costing; Materials; Cost Management Abstract Das Target Costing , in der Betriebswirtschaftslehre ein Standardinstrument des Kostenmanagement , findet in der wirtschaftlich orientierten Literatur zu den Werkstoffwissenschaften bisher kaum Erwähnung. Dabei bestehen auch für die Entwickler, Hersteller oder Verwender von Werkstoffen große Potentiale im Hinblick auf die Sicherung bzw. Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit. Daran setzt der vorliegende Beitrag an. In diesem werden zunächst diese Potentiale eines werkstoffbezogenen Target Costing herausgearbeitet. Dann wird aufgezeigt, wie die allgemeine Methodik des Target Costing aus der Sicht von Werkstoffverwendern einerseits und Werkstoffentwicklern/-herstellern andererseits zu modifizieren ist, um den Besonderheiten von Werkstoffen gerecht zu werden. Target Costing for Materials , Potentialities and Methodology Target Costing is a standard instrument of cost management in business administration, but hardly mentioned in the economic oriented literature on material sciences. Nevertheless there are high potentialities for developers, producers, or users of materials regarding the improvement of efficiency. Therefore, this article will present these potentialities of a material oriented Target Costing. Besides, the general methodology of Target Costing will be modified to meet the specifics of materials from the perspectives of users of materials on the one hand and developers respectively producers of materials on the other. [source] Student-Run Health Clinic: Novel Arena to Educate Medical Students on Systems-Based PracticeMOUNT SINAI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE: A JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2009Yasmin S. Meah MD Abstract In recent decades, the United States has experienced substantial growth in the number of student-run clinics for the indigent. Today, over 49 medical schools across the country operate over 110 student-run outreach clinics that provide primary care services to the poor and uninsured. Despite this development, little research has been published on the educational value of such student-led endeavors. Although much has been surmised, no general methodology for categorizing the learning experience in these clinics has been established. This article represents the first literature review of the novel method of educating students through the operation of a clinic for the underserved. It highlights the student-run clinic as a unique enhancement of medical education that may supplant current curricular arenas in teaching students about systems-based practice principles such as cost containment and financing, resource allocation, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient advocacy, and monitoring and delivery of quality care. The novelty of the student-run clinic is that students place themselves at the forefront of problem solving and system navigation to effectively care for severely disadvantaged populations. This article underscores the student-run clinic as a potentially ideal experiential learning method for preparing young physicians to confront a US healthcare system currently facing crises in cost, quality of care, and high rates of uninsurance. The article stresses the need for outcomes research on the long-term effectiveness of the student-run clinic experience in affecting medical student practice behaviors and attitudes in patient care settings that extend beyond the student-run clinic. Mt Sinai J Med 76:344,356, 2009. © 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine [source] Bayesian strategies for dynamic pricing in e-commerceNAVAL RESEARCH LOGISTICS: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL, Issue 3 2007Eric Cope Abstract E-commerce platforms afford retailers unprecedented visibility into customer purchase behavior and provide an environment in which prices can be updated quickly and cheaply in response to changing market conditions. This study investigates dynamic pricing strategies for maximizing revenue in an Internet retail channel by actively learning customers' demand response to price. A general methodology is proposed for dynamically pricing information goods, as well as other nonperishable products for which inventory levels are not an essential consideration in pricing. A Bayesian model of demand uncertainty involving the Dirichlet distribution or a mixture of such distributions as a prior captures a wide range of beliefs about customer demand. We provide both analytic formulas and efficient approximation methods for updating these prior distributions after sales data have been observed. We then investigate several strategies for sequential pricing based on index functions that consider both the potential revenue and the information value of selecting prices. These strategies require a manageable amount of computation, are robust to many types of prior misspecification, and yield high revenues compared to static pricing and passive learning approaches. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007 [source] Stochastic perturbation approach to the wavelet-based analysisNUMERICAL LINEAR ALGEBRA WITH APPLICATIONS, Issue 4 2004M. Kami Abstract The wavelet-based decomposition of random variables and fields is proposed here in the context of application of the stochastic second order perturbation technique. A general methodology is employed for the first two probabilistic moments of a linear algebraic equations system solution, which are obtained instead of a single solution projection in the deterministic case. The perturbation approach application allows determination of the closed formulas for a wavelet decomposition of random fields. Next, these formulas are tested by symbolic projection of some elementary random field. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Resource-Process Framework of New Service DevelopmentPRODUCTION AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT, Issue 2 2007Craig M. Froehle Motivated by the increasing attention given to the operational importance of developing new services, this paper offers a theoretical framework that integrates both process- and resource-oriented perspectives of new service development (NSD) by defining and organizing 45 practice constructs for NSD-related practices and activities that occur in contemporary service firms. We employ a rigorous procedure whereby both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through multiple rounds of interviews and card-sorting exercises with senior service managers. This iterative refinement process helps ensure that the construct domains and definitions are consistent and that they are applicable across multiple service sectors. A primary contribution of this research is to provide precise operational definitions of theoretically important NSD practice constructs. Importantly, this study expands on the NSD literature by including both resource- and process-centric perspectives within a single framework. A second contribution is to illustrate a general methodology for developing clear, concise, and consistent construct definitions that may be generally useful for production and operations management scholars interested in new construct development for emerging areas. Empirical results suggest that the resource-process framework can help guide and organize future research on, and provide insight into, a more comprehensive view of new service development. [source] Comments on the IPC Surface Mount Attachment Reliability GuidelinesQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2005Olli Salmela Abstract The Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits (IPC) has published guidelines and standards related to surface mount solder attachments. The latest standard IPC-9701 was published in 2002. In this paper, the general methodology for creating the aforementioned documents and the related qualification requirements are reviewed and discussed. Also, corrections to the standards and guidelines are proposed. The corrections are related both to the use of formulas and to inaccuracies in the units used. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation: Using evaluation research to improve medical educationTHE CLINICAL TEACHER, Issue 3 2010Mohsen Tavakol Summary Background:, Evaluation research is a form of applied research that scrutinises how well a particular programme, practice, procedure or policy is operating. Evaluation researchers use both quantitative and qualitative research data to construct a collective picture of the programme under evaluation. Context:, Medical educators need to provide information about a particular programme using the methods of evaluation research in order to make a decision on the potential adoption, improvements and refinements of the programme. Improving curricula and pedagogical methods using these methods may enhance health care education. Innovation:, We provide an overview of the methods of evaluation research in the context of medical education. We discuss the application, general methodology, methods of collecting data and analysis for each type of evaluation research. Implications:, The methods of evaluation research described in this article enable medical educators to gain a comprehensive understanding of evaluation research in the context of medical education. The use of evaluation research findings helps medical educators to make informed decisions regarding a programme and any future actions related to it. [source] Rational design of novel red-shifted BRET pairs: Platforms for real-time single-chain protease biosensorsBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 2 2009Seth T. Gammon Abstract Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) systems to date have been dominated by use of blue-green Renilla luciferase (Rluc) as the energy donor. Although effective in many cases, the expense and unfavorable biochemical attributes of the substrate (phenylcoelenterazine) limit utility of Rluc-based BRET systems. Herein we report a series of novel BRET pairs based on luciferases that utilize D -luciferin, resulting in red-shifted photonic outputs, favorable biochemical attributes, and increased efficacy. We developed a modified Förster equation to predict optimal BRET luciferase donor-fluorophore pairs and identified tdTomato as the optimal red fluorophore acceptor for click beetle green luciferase (CBG). A prototypical single-chain protease biosensor, capable of reporting on executioner caspase activity in live cells and in real-time, was generated by inserting a DEVD linker between CBG and tdTomato and validated in vitro with recombinant caspases and in cellulo with apoptosis-sensitive and -resistant cell lines. High signal-to-noise ratios (,33) and Z, factors (0.85) were observed in live cell longitudinal studies, sufficient for high-throughput screening. Thus, we illustrate a general methodology for the rational design of new BRET systems and provide a novel single-chain BRET protease biosensor that is long lived, red-shifted, and utilizes D -luciferin. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source] The generalized Dirichlet-to-Neumann map for certain nonlinear evolution PDEsCOMMUNICATIONS ON PURE & APPLIED MATHEMATICS, Issue 5 2005A. S. Fokas Let q(x,t) satisfy a nonlinear integrable evolution PDE whose highest spatial derivative is of order n. An initial boundary value problem on the half-line for such a PDE is at least linearly well-posed if one prescribes initial conditions, as well as N boundary conditions at x = 0, where for n even N equals n/2 and for n odd, depending on the sign of the highest derivative, N equals either n,1/2 or n+1/2. For example, for the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) and the sine-Gordon (sG), N = 1, while for the modified Korteweg-deVries (mKdV) N = 1 or N = 2 depending on the sign of the third derivative. Constructing the generalized Dirichlet-to-Neumann map means determining those boundary values at x = 0 that are not prescribed as boundary conditions in terms of the given initial and boundary conditions. A general methodology is presented that constructs this map in terms of the solution of a system of two nonlinear ODEs. This formulation implies that for the focusing NLS, for the sG, and for the two focusing versions of the mKdV, this map is global in time. It appears that this is the first time in the literature that such a characterization for nonlinear PDEs is explicitly described. It is also shown here that for particular choices of the boundary conditions the above map can be linearized. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||