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Appropriate Procedure (appropriate + procedure)
Selected AbstractsSpectroscopic ellipsometry studies of Mg-doped ZnO thin films prepared by the sol,gel methodPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009Shenghong Yang Abstract Zn1,xMgx O (ZMO) thin films with x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 were prepared on Si(100) substrates by the sol,gel method. The influence of Mg content on the structural and the optical properties was studied by X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the UV,visible region. The measured SE spectra were analyzed with an appropriate procedure to accurately determine the thickness and the optical constants of the thin films. It was found that the optical constants of the ZMO films are functions of the film composition. The refractive indices of the ZMO films decrease with increasing Mg content, and the optical bandgap energy exhibits nonlinear behavior or a bowing effect with the change of Mg mole fraction. A maximum band gap of ,3.91 eV was achieved at x = 0.3. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Anal stenosis: use of an algorithm to provide a tension-free anoplastyANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2010Zeev Duieb Abstract Background:, Anal stenosis is a debilitating condition that often is iatrogenic in cause. Various surgical procedures to manage this problem have been described. The present study evaluates the use of different anoplasty techniques in a series of 11 patients with anal stenosis. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to provide a stepwise algorithm for the anoplasty techniques used. Methods:, A series of 11 patients were evaluated for presenting symptoms, cause of anal stenosis, type of anoplasty used, complications and post-operative success in relieving symptoms. All operations were performed by one surgeon in three hospitals, and were followed up by the same surgeon and by a surgical registrar. Results:, The most common presenting symptoms were constipation and decreasing calibre of stool. The main causes of anal stenosis were previous surgery, neoplasia and fissure. Transverse closure, Y-V and diamond advancement flaps were used in an escalating manner to deal with increasing severity of stenosis. All 11 patients had some level of improvement in symptoms post-operatively. There were no long-term complications. Conclusion:, Anoplasty is a safe and successful option in the treatment of anal stenosis, and this stepwise algorithm takes the guesswork out of choosing the most appropriate procedure for each patient. [source] The effects of interleaved practiceAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Kelli Taylor Previous research shows that interleaving rather than blocking practice of different skills (e.g. abcbcacab instead of aaabbbccc) usually improves subsequent test performance. Yet interleaving, but not blocking, ensures that practice of any particular skill is distributed, or spaced, because any two opportunities to practice the same task are not consecutive. Hence, because spaced practice typically improves test performance, the previously observed test benefits of interleaving may be due to spacing rather than interleaving per se. In the experiment reported herein, children practiced four kinds of mathematics problems in an order that was interleaved or blocked, and the degree of spacing was fixed. The interleaving of practice impaired practice session performance yet doubled scores on a test given one day later. An analysis of the errors suggested that interleaving boosted test scores by improving participants' ability to pair each problem with the appropriate procedure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Review of the validation of models used in Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Environmental exposure assessmentsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2002Russell L. Jmones Abstract The first activity of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Environmental Model Validation Task Force, established to increase confidence in the use of environmental models used in regulatory assessments, was to review the literature information on validation of the pesticide root zone model (PRZM) and the groundwater loading effects of agricultural management systems (GLEAMS). This literature information indicates that these models generally predict the same or greater leaching than observed in actual field measurements, suggesting that these models are suitable for use in regulatory assessments. However, additional validation research conducted using the newest versions of the models would help improve confidence in runoff and leaching predictions because significant revisions have been made in models over the years, few of the literature studies focused on runoff losses, the number of studies having quantitative validation results is minimal, and modelers were aware of the field results in most of the literature studies. Areas for special consideration in conducting model validation research include improving the process for selecting input parameters, developing recommendations for performing calibration simulations, devising appropriate procedures for keeping results of field studies from modelers performing simulations to validate model predictions while providing access for calibration simulations, and developing quantitative statistical procedures for comparing model predictions with experimental results. [source] The views of gastroenterologists about the role of nurse endoscopists, especially in colorectal cancer screeningALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 8 2009P. G. VAN PUTTEN Summary Background, Nurse endoscopists may provide a solution for the insufficient endoscopic capacity in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Aim, To determine the views of gastroenterologists about the potential role of nurse endoscopists in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods, A postal questionnaire was sent to all registered gastroenterologists (n = 301) and gastroenterology residents (n = 79) in the Netherlands. Results, Two hundred and thirty five of 380 (62%) gastroenterologists and residents completed the questionnaire. Overall, 48% were positive towards introduction of nurse endoscopists, whereas 18% were neutral and 34% negative. Respondents expected no major differences in endoscopic quality between physicians and nurse endoscopists. Nevertheless, 69% expected that patient experiences would be better met by physicians. Multivariate analysis showed that actual experience with nurse endoscopists and beliefs that nurse endoscopists are able to provide adequate endoscopic quality and good patient experiences, were independent predictors for a positive attitude towards introduction of nurse endoscopists [OR 6.6 (2.3,18.4), OR 1.9 (1.2,3.5) and OR 2.1 (1.2,2.9), respectively]. Respectively 89% and 66% of the respondents considered sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy for CRC screening as appropriate procedures to be performed by nurse endoscopists. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies were considered less appropriate. Conclusion, A majority of gastroenterologists have a positive attitude towards introduction of nurse endoscopists, especially for CRC screening endoscopies. [source] Opportunities and Challenges for Studying Disaster SurvivorsANALYSES OF SOCIAL ISSUES & PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 1 2006Jennifer M. Knack Studying survivors of natural disasters and traumatic events provides a unique opportunity to address some of the important and difficult questions in psychology and other social sciences. However, such an opportunity does not come without challenges. Several methodological challenges to studying survivors of natural disasters are discussed, including recruiting participants, choosing appropriate procedures, and the safety of data collectors. Several ethical issues are also presented, such as the ability of participants to make decisions, the impact of participating, and the importance of informed consent. In addition, approaches are suggested that help to deal with these methodological and ethical challenges. We conclude that while attention must be focused on methodological and ethical considerations, research stemming from natural disasters should be employed to answer important basic and applied conceptual questions and address issues of practice and policy, while assuring that steps have been taken to protect participants and that the potential risks are minimal. [source] | |||||||||||||