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Necessary Task (necessary + task)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	50%

Selected Abstracts

Fuzzy-based purest wavelength selection from spectral data

JOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS, Issue 6-7 2006
Seyed Kamaledin Setarehdan
Abstract Wavelength selection is usually a useful and sometimes a necessary task in process monitoring using spectroscopic equipment. In this paper, a novel fuzzy-based purest wavelength selection algorithm from spectral data is presented. The proposed algorithm uses the pure component spectra of all chemical components within the mixture in a fuzzy logic framework to identify the set of the most important wavelengths (the set of the purest wavelengths) for a chemical component of interest. Both synthetic and real (Raman) spectral data sets were employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. As a comparative study in the case of the real Raman data, the Evolving Window Factor Analysis (EWFA) technique is applied to both the original spectra and the selected set of the purest wavelengths for a component of interest. The resulting first singular value in EWFA is then compared to the reference concentration trend obtained using the conventional Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression model. The comparison confirms the high quality of the selected set of the purest wavelengths and the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy-based algorithm. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Evaluation of Needle Exchange Programs

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 2 2004
Cheryl Delgado M.S.N.
Abstract Needle exchange programs exist in every major population area in the United States and in many other countries. Some operate legally under emergency health decrees issued by local departments of health, with the stated intention of risk reduction through the removal of used injection equipment from use by injection drug users. It is theorized that this results in a reduced transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis, and, possibly, other blood-borne diseases. Needle exchange programs also offer access to drug treatment programs for the participants. It is a difficult but necessary task to evaluate these programs. This article examines examples of evaluations attempted in the past and discusses the challenges of such evaluations. Experimental evaluations, economic program analysis, legal aspects, and risk,benefit assessment along with ethical aspects are considered. An outline of program evaluation is proposed. Needle exchange programs offer an opportunity to encourage risk reduction and to offer counseling and access to health care for individuals at high risk. It is essential that such programs demonstrate their effectiveness. Assumptions of efficacy are insufficient for health care in the twenty-first century. [source]

Ancient Remotely-Operated Instruments Recovered Under Water off the Israeli Coast

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 2 2008
Ehud Galili
Underwater archaeological investigations in Israel have recovered instruments intended to be operated under water from a vessel on the surface, at depths and times beyond the ability of free divers. Some of these remotely-operated devices, including salvaging-rings, coral-harvesting devices, and grapnels, are described, classified and discussed. These humble but efficient instruments, the prototypes of sophisticated modern instruments, fulfilled necessary tasks in antiquity and are still being used today by traditional fishermen. © 2008 The Authors [source]

Necessary and Discretionary Activities in Knee Osteoarthritis: Do They Mediate the Pain,Depression Relationship?

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007
Patricia A. Parmelee PhD
ABSTRACT Objective., This study examined direct vs indirect associations of pain and physical function with depression in 369 older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. A key focus was the distinction of functional disability in necessary tasks (basic and instrumental activities of daily living) from discretionary, leisure activities. Design., A naturalistic longitudinal study examined effects of demographic variables, indicators of arthritis status, general health, pain, and several measures of functional disability upon depressive symptoms at baseline and 1 year later. Setting and Patients., Participants with diagnosed knee OA were recruited from rheumatological and general geriatric outpatient clinics, as well as public service announcements. Outcome Measure., Depressive symptoms, measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Results., At baseline, the relationships of depression with functional disability and activity limitation were wholly mediated by pain. In contrast, activity participation was independently linked with depression, even controlling health and demographic variables. A 1-year follow-up revealed that depressive symptoms increased with increasing health problems, and with reduction in activity participation over time. Having and retaining favorite pastimes were also associated with reduced depressive symptomatology at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Conclusions., These data highlight the disease-specific nature of paths among depression, pain, and disability, and the importance of considering discretionary as well as necessary activities in evaluating effects of pain upon quality of life. [source]