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Quantitative Approach (quantitative + approach)
Selected AbstractsA Qualitative and Quantitative Approach to Determine the Optimum Combination of Feeding Stimulants for Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Using an Agar Gel CarrierJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 1 2002Elias Papatryphon A series of experiments was conducted to determine the optimum combination of previously identified feeding stimulants (FS), namely L-alanine (Ala), L-serine (Ser), inosine-5,-monophosphate (IMP), and betaine (Bet), for striped bass Morone saxatilis. Three experiments were conducted to determine the optimum combination of FS using an agar gel matrix as a carrier. In the first experiment a 24 factorial experiment was conducted to test all possible combinations of the four FS at two levels, 0 and 0.1 M. Significant interactions between the FS were found, suggesting the complexity of gustatory stimulation and palatability. In the second experiment a 4 × 6 factorial design was employed to test each FS alone and at concentrations ranging from 0 to 8% in order to determine the minimum level at which maximal stimulation is achieved. The results suggest that there is no significant improvement in feed intake beyond the 1 % level of supplementation for all the FS. In addition, Ala produced a significantly greater response compared to all other FS. In the last experiment, a modified single factor method was used to estimate the optimum levels for each FS in a mixture. The range of the concentrations tested was 0,1% of the agar gel for each FS. Combining all four compounds yielded maximal stimulation. The levels of each compound in the final optimum combination of FS were: Ala, 0.4; Ser, 0.6; Bet, 0.4; and IMP, 0.3% of the agar gel. [source] Retracted: A quantitative approach to benefit-risk assessment of medicines,part 2; the practical application of a new model Filip Mussen, Sam Salek, Stuart WalkerPHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 10 2007Ronald D. Mann Editor-in-Cheif The following article from Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, ,A Quantitative Approach to Benefit-Risk Assessment of Medicines,Part 2; The Practical Application of a New Model' by Mussen F, Salek S & Walker S (Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2007; 16: S16,S41 DOI: 10.1002/pds.1434) has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Journal's Editor-in-Chief and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap between this article and an internal report published by CMR International Institute; ,Benefit-Risk Assessment Model Developing a Structured Approach to Decision Making'. [source] Retracted:A quantitative approach to benefit-risk assessment of medicines , part 2: the practical application of a new model,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue S1 2007Filip Mussen PhD Purpose Retraction: The following article from Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, A Quantitative Approach to Benefit-Risk Assessment of Medicines - Part 2; The Practical Application of a New Model by Mussen F, Salek S & Walker S (Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2007;16:S16-S41 DOI:10.1002/pds.1434) has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Journal Editor-in-Chief and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap between this article and an internal report published by CMR International Institute; Benefit-Risk Assessment Model Developing a Structured Approach to Decision Making. [source] Characterizing, Propagating, and Analyzing Uncertainty in Life-Cycle Assessment: A Survey of Quantitative ApproachesJOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Shannon M. Lloyd Summary Life-cycle assessment (LCA) practitioners build models to quantify resource consumption, environmental releases, and potential environmental and human health impacts of product systems. Most often, practitioners define a model structure, assign a single value to each parameter, and build deterministic models to approximate environmental outcomes. This approach fails to capture the variability and uncertainty inherent in LCA. To make good decisions, decision makers need to understand the uncertainty in and divergence between LCA outcomes for different product systems. Several approaches for conducting LCA under uncertainty have been proposed and implemented. For example, Monte Carlo simulation and fuzzy set theory have been applied in a limited number of LCA studies. These approaches are well understood and are generally accepted in quantitative decision analysis. But they do not guarantee reliable outcomes. A survey of approaches used to incorporate quantitative uncertainty analysis into LCA is presented. The suitability of each approach for providing reliable outcomes and enabling better decisions is discussed. Approaches that may lead to overconfident or unreliable results are discussed and guidance for improving uncertainty analysis in LCA is provided. [source] What kind of motivation drives medical students' learning quests?MEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 9 2004Dejano T Sobral Aims, To describe the patterns of medical students' motivation early in the undergraduate programme and to examine their relationships with learning features and motivational outcomes. Methods, The Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) was administered after the first medical year to 297 students of both sexes from consecutive classes within a 4-year timeframe. Measures of learner orientation and reflection in learning were also obtained. Academic achievement and peer tutoring experience were recorded during a 2-year follow-up. Quantitative approaches included analysis of variance, correlational and classificatory analyses of the data. Results, The profile of the students' responses revealed higher levels of autonomous motivation than of controlled motivation although such measures were positively related. Correlation analysis showed significant association of autonomous motivation with higher levels of meaning orientation, reflection in learning, academic achievement, cross-year peer-tutoring experience, and intention to continue with studies. Classificatory analysis identified 4 student groups with distinct patterns of motivation. Analysis of variance revealed significant and consistent differences in learning features and outcomes among such groups. Conclusions, The findings indicate that medical students portray distinct patterns of autonomous and controlled motivation that seem to relate to the learners' frame of mind towards learning as well as the educational environment. Autonomous motivation had closer relationships than controlled motivation with measures of self-regulation of learning and academic success in the context of a demanding medical programme. [source] Quantitative Comparison of Approximate Solution Sets for Bi-criteria Optimization Problems,DECISION SCIENCES, Issue 1 2003W. Matthew Carlyle ABSTRACT We present the Integrated Preference Functional (IPF) for comparing the quality of proposed sets of near-pareto-optimal solutions to bi-criteria optimization problems. Evaluating the quality of such solution sets is one of the key issues in developing and comparing heuristics for multiple objective combinatorial optimization problems. The IPF is a set functional that, given a weight density function provided by a decision maker and a discrete set of solutions for a particular problem, assigns a numerical value to that solution set. This value can be used to compare the quality of different sets of solutions, and therefore provides a robust, quantitative approach for comparing different heuristic, a posteriori solution procedures for difficult multiple objective optimization problems. We provide specific examples of decision maker preference functions and illustrate the calculation of the resulting IPF for specific solution sets and a simple family of combined objectives. [source] A quantitative approach to probe the dependence and correlation of food-effect with aqueous solubility, dose/solubility ratio, and partition coefficient (Log P) for orally active drugs administered as immediate-release formulationsDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Brahma N. Singh Abstract The purpose of the present review was to systematically evaluate if aqueous solubility, dose/solubility ratio, and partition coefficient (Log P) could be used as useful parameters to quantitatively probe the dependence and correlation of in vivo food effects with these physicochemical properties of orally active drugs administered as immediate-release (IR) formulations. Mean AUC data obtained under fasted and fed states of over 100 structurally diverse orally active drugs with different physicochemical properties were obtained from the primary literature. Correlations of AUC ratio (Fed/Fasted) with aqueous solubility, dose/solubility ratio, and Log P were derived and statistically evaluated by Pearson's correlation test (two-tailed). A negative correlation was obtained between the logarithm of the aqueous solubility and the AUC ratio (r=,0.5982, N=93), whereas a positive correlation existed between AUC ratio and Log P (r=0.5147, N=110) and between AUC ratio and dose/solubility ratio (r=0.5511, N=87). All these correlations were significant (P<0.0001). Based on this study, the estimated range within which a drug is not expected to be significantly affected by food falls between 0.148,89.39 mg/ml for aqueous solubility and between 0.23,624 ml for the dose:solubility ratio. The corresponding range of Log P for expecting a lack of food-effect lies between ,1.13 and 2.98. Quantitatively, the effect of food was most pronounced for lipophilic, poorly water-soluble drugs (with only a few exceptions), irrespective of whether the drug is acidic, basic, or neutral. It is concluded that aqueous solubility, dose/solubility ratio, and partition coefficient can be used as useful parameters to probe the dependence and correlation of food-effect with these physicochemical parameters for immediate-release formulations. Drug Dev. Res. 65:55,75, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] MATE CHOICE AND HUMAN STATURE: HOMOGAMY AS A UNIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR UNDERSTANDING MATING PREFERENCESEVOLUTION, Issue 8 2010Alexandre Courtiol Assortative mating for human height has long attracted interest in evolutionary biology, and the phenomenon has been demonstrated in numerous human populations. It is often argued that mating preferences generate this pattern, but other processes can also induce trait correlations between mates. Here, we present a methodology tailored to quantify continuous preferences based on choice experiments between pairs of stimuli. In particular, it is possible to explore determinants of interindividual variations in preferences, such as the height of the chooser. We collected data from a sample of 200 individuals from France. Measurements obtained show that the perception of attractiveness depends on both the height of the stimuli and the stature of the individual who judged them. Therefore, this study demonstrates that homogamy is present at the level of preferences for both sexes. We also show that measurements of the function describing this homogamy are concordant with several distinct mating rules proposed in the literature. In addition, the quantitative approach introduced here fulfills metrics that can be used to compare groups of individuals. In particular, our results reveal an important disagreement between sexes regarding height preferences in the context of mutual mate choice. Finally, both women and men prefer individuals who are significantly taller than average. All major findings are confirmed by a reanalysis of previously published data. [source] The heat shock protein 70 molecular chaperone network in the pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum , a quantitative approachFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 19 2007Andreas Weitzmann Traditionally, the canine pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been the workhorse for cell-free studies on protein transport into the mammalian ER. These studies have revealed multiple roles for the major ER-luminal heat shock protein (Hsp) 70, IgG heavy chain-binding protein (BiP), at least one of which also involves the second ER-luminal Hsp70, glucose-regulated protein (Grp) 170. In addition, at least one of these BiP activities depends on Hsp40. Up to now, five Hsp40s and two nucleotide exchange factors, Sil1 and Grp170, have been identified in the ER of different mammalian cell types. Here we quantified the various proteins of this chaperone network in canine pancreatic rough microsomes. We also characterized the various purified proteins with respect to their affinities for BiP and their effect on the ATPase activity of BiP. The results identify Grp170 as the major nucleotide exchange factor for BiP, and the resident ER-membrane proteins ER-resident J-domain protein 1 plus ER-resident J-domain protein 2/Sec63 as prime candidates for cochaperones of BiP in protein transport in the pancreatic ER. Thus, these data represent a comprehensive analysis of the BiP chaperone network that was recently linked to two human inherited diseases, polycystic liver disease and Marinesco,Sjögren syndrome. [source] A sociotechnical approach to achieve zero defect manufacturing of complex manual assembliesHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 2 2007Kitty Hong Traditional approaches to defect reduction in manufacturing environments rely heavily on the introduction of technology-based detection techniques that require significant investments in equipment and technical skills. In this article, the authors outline a novel, alternative approach that utilizes the largely untapped abilities of assembly-line operators. Targeting zero-defect manufacturing, the SEISMIC (stabilize, evaluate, identify, standardize, monitor, implement, and control) methodology developed herein is a sociotechnical-based system built on the decentralization of technical knowledge and the transfer of responsibility for product quality from technical staff to manual operators. Along with defect reduction, important secondary goals of the SEISMIC methodology are improved operator performance and job satisfaction. The SEISMIC methodology provides a quantitative approach for classifying assembly environments and determining their required skill sets. Effective methods for transferring the identified skills throughout the production team are also provided. A pilot application of the protocol in an automotive assembly environment has achieved promising results in the target areas of defect reduction and operator performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 137,148, 2007. [source] Prevalence of disruptive behaviour displayed by older people in community and residential respite care settingsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 2 2007Christine C. Neville ABSTRACT:, The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of disruptive behaviour displayed by older people in community and residential respite care settings. The specific objectives were to (i) obtain an estimate of the frequency of disruptive behaviour displayed by older people in the community setting before residential respite care; (ii) characterize older people being admitted for residential respite care; and (iii) obtain an estimate of the frequency of disruptive behaviour displayed by older people in residential respite care. A quantitative approach using a cross-sectional survey was employed in the community and in the residential aged care facilities. The older people (n = 100) had a mean age of 81.8 years (range 66,96 years). The older people were being admitted from their homes for booked respite care at residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian city. Home caregivers and nurses rated disruptive behaviour using the Dementia Behaviour Disturbance Scale (DBDS). Reliability data for the DBDS are provided. As expected, in both community and residential respite settings, older people with dementia (29%) scored significantly higher on the DBDS than people without dementia. In addition, DBDS scores were unexpectedly higher in the community setting than in the respite setting. These findings should be taken into consideration by primary health-care professionals when offering treatment options to the home caregivers and by staff in the residential aged care facilities that offer respite. [source] The riverscape of Western Amazonia , a quantitative approach to the fluvial biogeography of the regionJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2007Tuuli Toivonen Abstract Aim, To provide a quantitative spatial analysis of the riverscape (open-water bodies and their surrounding areas) of the Western Amazonian lowlands using a consistent surface of remotely sensed imagery. Taking into account the essential significance of fluvial environments for the Amazonian biota, we propose that an enhanced understanding of the Amazonian riverscape will provide new insight for biogeographical studies in the region and contribute to the understanding of these megadiverse tropical lowlands. Location, An area of 2.2 million km2 covering the Western Amazonian lowlands of the Andean foreland region, i.e. the upper reaches of the Amazon river system. Areas in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia between longitudes 83 °W and 65 °W and latitudes 5 °N and 12 °S are included. Methods, A mosaic of 120 Landsat TM satellite images was created with 100-m resolution, and water areas of over 1 ha in size or c. 60 m in width were extracted using a simple ratio threshold applicable to a large set of data. With this method, 99.1% of the water areas present in 30-m imagery were mapped with images with 100-m resolution. Water pixels of distinct river segments were assigned to river classes on the basis of their channel properties, and islands and lakes were distinguished separately and classified. Measures of water patterns such as structure, composition, richness and remoteness were provided for various spatial units. Riverine corridors were computed from the open-water mask by outer limits of active channels and floodplain lakes. Analytical results are shown as both thematic maps and statistics. Results, A total of 1.1% of Western Amazonia is covered by open-water bodies over 1 ha in size or 60 m in width. River-bound waters comprise 98% of the total water surface. Whilst isolated lakes are scarce, river-bound oxbow and backchannel lakes are plentiful, comprising 17.5% of all waters. They are particularly frequent along meandering channels, which dominate both in area and length. The riverine corridors including active channels and floodplain lakes cover 17% of the land area. The average distance from any point of land to the nearest water is 12 km. Geographically speaking, the distribution of waters is uneven across the region, and the detailed characteristics of the riverscape are geographically highly variable. Three major, fluvially distinct regions can be identified: central Western Amazonia, the south, and the north-east. The proportional surface areas of the riverine corridors, numbers of lakes, sizes of islands and their distributions depend largely on the types and sizes of the rivers. Main conclusions, Our results support the notion of Western Amazonia as a dynamic, highly fluvial environment, highlighting and quantifying considerable internal variation within the region in terms of fluvial patterns and the processes that they reflect and control. Biogeographically, the variety of types of fluvial environments and their characteristics are important constituents of what influences the distribution of species and dynamics of terrestrial habitats. Spatially consistent riverscape data can serve as a consistent and scalable source of relevant information for other biogeographical approaches in the region. [source] Qualitative case studies of innovative pedagogical practices using ICTJOURNAL OF COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING, Issue 4 2002R.B. Kozma Abstract The Second Instructional Technology in Education Study: Module 2 (SITES M2) is a series of qualitative studies that identify and describe innovative pedagogical practices in 28 participating countries that use technology. The project resulted in 174 case study reports of innovative practice that are currently being analysed. This paper describes the goals, research questions, and methodology for this study and provides a context for the other papers that are published in this issue. Given the large number of case studies, a combined qualitative and quantitative approach to the research is described. [source] Communicating and judging the quality of qualitative research: the need for a new languageJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 3 2003S. A. Fade Abstract Background Traditionally UK dietitians have tended to take a more quantitative approach to research. Qualitative research which gives an in-depth view of people's experiences and beliefs is also now being used to help answer some important dietetic research questions. Review A review of the limited number of qualitative research papers in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 1990,2002 (nine papers in all), revealed a lack of specific discussion of the quality strategies commonly used in qualitative research. This could indicate a less than robust approach, but might also reflect a different perspective on quality, or simply the difficulties associated with disseminating qualitative research to a profession whose members lack familiarity with the language. The fact that qualitative research seems to be used rarely may also indicate a poor understanding of its role. Purpose of this paper This paper seeks to clarify the potential role of qualitative research and draws on previously published guidelines for demonstrating quality. It is hoped that this will offer dietitians a framework for carrying out qualitative research and a language for reporting it, as well acting as a stimulus for discussion. [source] Modelling of mineral equilibria in ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic rocks from the Anápolis,Itauçu Complex, central BrazilJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 7 2005J. A. BALDWIN Abstract A new quantitative approach to constraining mineral equilibria in sapphirine-bearing ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulites through the use of pseudosections and compatibility diagrams is presented, using a recently published thermodynamic model for sapphirine. The approach is illustrated with an example from an UHT locality in the Anápolis,Itauçu Complex, central Brazil, where modelling of mineral equilibria indicates peak metamorphic conditions of about 9 kbar and 1000 °C. The early formed, coarse-grained assemblage is garnet,orthopyroxene,sillimanite,quartz, which was subsequently modified following peak conditions. The retrograde pressure,temperature (P,T) path of this locality involves decompression across the FeO,MgO,Al2O3,SiO2 (FMAS) univariant reaction orthopyroxene + sillimanite = garnet + sapphirine + quartz, resulting in the growth of sapphirine,quartz, followed by cooling and recrossing of this reaction. The resulting microstructures are modelled using compatibility diagrams, and pseudosections calculated for specific grain boundaries considered as chemical domains. The sequence of microstructures preserved in the rocks constrains a two-stage isothermal decompression,isobaric cooling path. The stability of cordierite along the retrograde path is examined using a domainal approach and pseudosections for orthopyroxene,quartz and garnet,quartz grain boundaries. This analysis indicates that the presence or absence of cordierite may be explained by local variation in aH2O. This study has important implications for thermobarometric studies of UHT granulites, mainly through showing that traditional FMAS petrogenetic grids based on experiments alone may overestimate P,T conditions. Such grids are effectively constant aH2O sections in FMAS-H2O (FMASH), for which the corresponding aH2O is commonly higher than that experienced by UHT granulites. A corollary of this dependence of mineral equilibria on aH2O is that local variations in aH2O may explain the formation of cordierite without significant changes in P,T conditions, particularly without marked decompression. [source] The role and scope of the clinical nurse consultant in Wentworth area health service, New South Wales, AustraliaJOURNAL OF NURSING MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2007GradDipClinNsg, JENNY O'BAUGH RN, OncNsgCert Aims, This paper reports phase one of a two-part study in a New South Wales area health service, which aimed to evaluate the grading system for clinical nurse consultants. Background, Since its inception in 1986, the role and scope of practice of clinical nurse consultants in New South Wales has been viewed with differing expectations leading to role conflict from the nurse consultants themselves and others in health care including managers and other clinicians. Method, A quantitative approach was used for this study. A survey comprising of open and closed questions was mailed to all clinical nurse consultants (n = 42) employed in the area. Results, The data presented suggest that ambiguity continues about the role, the scope and the differences within the grading system of clinical nurse consultants. Conclusions, Clinical nurse consultants need leadership training and support from their managers to fulfil their role. More work is required to clarify the role of clinical nurse consultants. [source] Phase imaging using highly coherent X-rays: radiography, tomography, diffraction topographyJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 3 2000José Baruchel Several hard X-rays imaging techniques greatly benefit from the coherence of the beams delivered by the modern synchrotron radiation sources. This is illustrated with examples recorded on the `long' (145,m) ID19 `imaging' beamline of the ESRF. Phase imaging is directly related to the small angular size of the source as seen from one point of the sample (`effective divergence' , microradians). When using the `propagation' technique, phase radiography and tomography are instrumentally very simple. They are often used in the `edge detection' regime, where the jumps of density are clearly observed. The in situ damage assessment of micro-heterogeneous materials is one example of the many applications. Recently a more quantitative approach has been developed, which provides a three-dimensional density mapping of the sample (`holotomography'). The combination of diffraction topography and phase-contrast imaging constitutes a powerful tool. The observation of holes of discrete sizes in quasicrystals, and the investigation of poled ferroelectric materials, result from this combination [source] A case-based review of a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysisJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 5 2008DACVECC, Kate Hopper BVSc Abstract Objective , To present a simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis and to demonstrate its clinical utility. Data Sources , Original research articles and textbooks. Data Synthesis , A simplified quantitative approach to acid-base analysis is presented, which is derived from the Fencl-Stewart approach and calculates the magnitude of the effect on the standardized base excess (SBE) of 5 separate variables: (1) a free water effect (marked by sodium concentration), (2) an effect marked by the chloride concentration, (3) an albumin effect, (4) a lactate effect, and (5) a phosphate effect. Six clinical cases with acid-base abnormalities are presented in which the quantitative approach provides information that is not apparent from the traditional approach. Conclusion , This simplified quantitative approach provides a comprehensive evaluation of complex acid-base disorders, identifies individual processes and their relative influence on SBE, and aids in the development of an appropriate therapeutic plan. [source] New Institutional Economics' contribution to strategic groups analysisMANAGERIAL AND DECISION ECONOMICS, Issue 3 2007Stephane Tywoniak Rather than consider the two broad strands of strategic group research,performance-based and behavior-based studies,as competing approaches, we argue that they relate to complementary levels of analysis. We present a four-level framework for analyzing structures within industries drawn from New Institutional Economics (NIE) which covers different approaches to strategic group formation from institutional isomorphism and embeddedness through to the firm-level effects of certain resource deployments. We apply an institutional approach to a case study of the Australian banking industry and supplement this with a quantitative approach based around key strategic variables. This analysis suggests that distinct groups have emerged due to the institutional environment and the different regulatory environments experienced by various banks in the industry. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Monitoring angiogenesis in soft-tissue engineered constructs for calvarium bone regeneration: an in vivo longitudinal DCE-MRI studyNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Marine Beaumont Abstract Tissue engineering is a promising technique for bone repair and can overcome the major drawbacks of conventional autogenous bone grafting. In this in vivo longitudinal study, we proposed a new tissue-engineering paradigm: inserting a biological soft-tissue construct within the bone defect to enhance angiogenesis for improved bone regeneration. The construct acts as a resorbable scaffold to support desired angiogenesis and cellular activity and as a vector of vascular endothelial growth factor, known to promote both vessel and bone growth. Dynamic contrast- enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed to investigate and characterize angiogenesis necessary for bone formation following the proposed paradigm of inserting a VEGF-impregnated tissue-engineered construct within the critical-sized calvarial defect in the membranous parietal bone of the rabbit. Results show that a model-free quantitative approach, the normalized initial area under the curve metric, provides sensitive and reproducible measures of vascularity that is consistent with known temporal evolution of angiogenesis during bone regeneration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Retracted: A quantitative approach to benefit-risk assessment of medicines,part 2; the practical application of a new model Filip Mussen, Sam Salek, Stuart WalkerPHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 10 2007Ronald D. Mann Editor-in-Cheif The following article from Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, ,A Quantitative Approach to Benefit-Risk Assessment of Medicines,Part 2; The Practical Application of a New Model' by Mussen F, Salek S & Walker S (Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2007; 16: S16,S41 DOI: 10.1002/pds.1434) has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Journal's Editor-in-Chief and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap between this article and an internal report published by CMR International Institute; ,Benefit-Risk Assessment Model Developing a Structured Approach to Decision Making'. [source] A quantitative approach to benefit-risk assessment of medicines , part 1: the development of a new model using multi-criteria decision analysis,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue S1 2007Filip Mussen PhD Abstract Purpose One of the most important uses of benefit-risk assessment pertains to approval of new medicines by regulatory authorities and the subsequent review of these products during their life-cycle when new safety and/or efficacy data becomes available. At present, there exist no validated, well-accepted models for benefit-risk assessment that have the appropriate degree of sophistication, and as a consequence no models are widely used by regulatory authorities or industry. The aim of the study was therefore to develop a new model for benefit-risk assessment of medicines using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA). Methods The MCDA methodology was used for a systematic approach to assess the benefit risk ratio of medicines. The reasons for adopting this approach were (1) taking multiple benefit and risk criteria into account, (2) making a judgement on the evidence and potential uncertainty because of the incompleteness of evidence, and (3) making trade-offs of the benefits against risks. Results It was demonstrated through a seven-step approach how MCDA is used to construct the model. Ten benefit and ten risk criteria were identified to form a value tree. Then fixed scales were established for all criteria and options on the criteria were scored. Weights were assigned for each criteria using swing-weighting. Finally sensitivity analysis was carried. Conclusions This novel approach based on MCDA has the potential for being applied as a new tool for judging and deciding on the benefits and risks, thereby helping regulators and industry in the development and approval of new medicines and their adequate use. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Retracted:A quantitative approach to benefit-risk assessment of medicines , part 2: the practical application of a new model,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue S1 2007Filip Mussen PhD Purpose Retraction: The following article from Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, A Quantitative Approach to Benefit-Risk Assessment of Medicines - Part 2; The Practical Application of a New Model by Mussen F, Salek S & Walker S (Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2007;16:S16-S41 DOI:10.1002/pds.1434) has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Journal Editor-in-Chief and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to overlap between this article and an internal report published by CMR International Institute; Benefit-Risk Assessment Model Developing a Structured Approach to Decision Making. [source] Height and body mass influence on human body outlines: A quantitative approach using an elliptic Fourier analysisAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Alexandre Courtiol Abstract Many studies use representations of human body outlines to study how individual characteristics, such as height and body mass, affect perception of body shape. These typically involve reality-based stimuli (e.g., pictures) or manipulated stimuli (e.g., drawings). These two classes of stimuli have important drawbacks that limit result interpretations. Realistic stimuli vary in terms of traits that are correlated, which makes it impossible to assess the effect of a single trait independently. In addition, manipulated stimuli usually do not represent realistic morphologies. We describe and examine a method based on elliptic Fourier descriptors to automatically predict and represent body outlines for a given set of predicted variables (e.g., sex, height, and body mass). We first estimate whether these predictive variables are significantly related to human outlines. We find that height and body mass significantly influence body shape. Unlike height, the effect of body mass on shape differs between sexes. Then, we show that we can easily build a regression model that creates hypothetical outlines for an arbitrary set of covariates. These statistically computed outlines are quite realistic and may be used as stimuli in future studies. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Oval in males and triangular in females?AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2010A quantitative evaluation of sexual dimorphism in the human obturator foramen Abstract Among the numerous pelvic traits presenting sex differences, the obturator foramen is classically described as being oval in males and triangular in females. However, no demonstrations or detailed studies seem available in the literature. The purpose of this work was to study quantitatively this trait using Fourier analysis, because this methodological approach is particularly well adapted for discrimination between different simple shapes. Using this approach, an outline can be characterized by a series of harmonics (1 to n), each defined by two Fourier descriptors: amplitude (Cn), describing the relative importance of the harmonic contribution to the original shape, and phase (,n), representing the orientation of the harmonic contribution. The material consisted of 104 three-dimensional CT reconstructions of adult pelves (52 males and 52 females). After size normalization, the outlines of the 104 left obturator foramens were studied. Significant differences were demonstrated with, in total, 84.6% of individuals presenting a correct inferred sex. The most discriminating descriptors were the phase of the second harmonic (C2), related to the oval (or elliptic) aspect and thus the elongation of the shape, and the amplitude of the third harmonic (,3), describing the triangularity of the shape. Because the trend for an outline to be more or less oval or triangular is difficult to visually assess and because there is an infinite number of transitional shapes, only a precise quantitative approach such as Fourier analysis allows for unambiguous characterization and statistical analysis. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Technical note: A new three-dimensional technique for high resolution quantitative recording of perikymataAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2010E. Bocaege Abstract The number and spacing of incremental markings at the enamel surface, known as perikymata, are considered important indicators of dental growth patterns, as they provide information on crown formation times and the underlying developmental processes. This study explores the potential of a new three-dimensional technique for the reconstruction of dental growth profiles, using teeth from a medieval child from Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The crowns of three anterior teeth were imaged and analyzed using the Alicona 3D InfiniteFocus imaging microscope. Individual perikyma grooves can be unambiguously identified on a profile of the reconstructed enamel surface and direct distances between successive pairs of perikyma grooves can be calculated from coordinate data. This quantitative approach constitutes a more objective way to record perikymata spacing than current methods. Am J Phys Anthropol 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Gender Differences in Agency Head Salaries: The Case of Public EducatonPUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 4 2002Kenneth J. Meier This study demonstrates a quantitative approach to assessing gender discrimination in public salaries at the individual level. Using data from more than 1,000 school districts in Texas over a period of four years, the results show that gender differences in superintendents' salaries are subtle rather than systematic. Female superintendents who replace male superintendents receive lower compensation. Local district wealth also interacts with gender to affect salaries. [source] Pregnancy increases the growth rates of world health organization grade II gliomasANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2010Johan Pallud MD Twelve pregnancies in 11 adult women harboring World Health Organization (WHO) grade II gliomas (GIIGs) prior to pregnancy were reviewed to address whether pregnancy affects tumor growth using a quantitative approach of the radiological velocity of diametric expansion (VDE) on successive magnetic resonance images. VDE was significantly increased during pregnancy as compared to prepregnancy (p < 0.001) and to postdelivery (p = 0.012) periods. Pregnancy increases the radiological growth rates of GIIGs. An increase in seizure frequency was observed concomitantly in 40% of cases and further oncological treatment was started after delivery in 25% of cases. ANN NEUROL 2010;67:398,404 [source] The effects of human resources management practices on the organizational performances of Canadian financial co-operativesANNALS OF PUBLIC AND COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2002Michel Arcand Reading through academic literature with a critical eye shows that the relation between human resources management (HRM) and the performance of the firm is a relatively unknown phenomenon. This relation is sometimes described as a "black box". Far from claiming to have closed the debate, this article sets forth an original approach that represents an undisputable input which allows a better understanding of this phenomenon. Even if there are many theories that try to explain this relation, only the universalistic approach of human resources will be of interest. While using both a qualitative and a quantitative approach, our research shows that some HRM practices do seem to give a competitive advantage to Canadian financial co-operative enterprises. [source] Quantification of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins in the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) as a tool to predict the degree of gonad maturityAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Fabiola G. Arcos Abstract The oyster's reproductive process is poorly documented, especially in terms of a quantitative approach. In recent years, investigations with this species have been directed at determining important reproductive factors. Within this scope, techniques that allow standardized and accurate quantitative estimations of gonad development have become of primary importance. In this study, the histological characteristics and the levels of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins (Vn/Vtg) from ovaries of the Mexican Pacific ,pleasure' oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) were analysed during different stages of gonad maturation using quantitative histological techniques and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This was performed in order to evaluate a possible quantitative tool to predict the degrees of gonad maturity and to analyse the biological implications of the findings relative not only to broodstock conditioning but also to natural populations. Using this information, we expect to be able to undertake further research on different reproductive aspects of this oyster species, including, among others, evaluation of the response in Vn/Vtg concentrations to different diets and environmental conditions during laboratory conditioning. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||