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Second Test (second + test)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	73%

Selected Abstracts

Defamation Cases against Historians

HISTORY AND THEORY, Issue 3 2002
Antoon De Baets
Defamation is the act of damaging another's reputation. According to recent legal research, defamation laws may be improperly used in many ways. Some of these uses profoundly affect the historian's work: first, when defamation laws protect reputations of states or nations as such; second, when they prevent legitimate criticism of officials; and, third, when they protect the reputations of deceased persons. The present essay offers two tests of these three abuses in legal cases where historians were defendants. The first test, a short worldwide survey, confirms the occurrence of all three abuses; the second test (an empirical analysis of twenty,one cases (1965,2000) from nine western European countries) the occurrence of the third abuse. Both tests touch on problems central to the historical profession: living versus deceased persons; facts versus opinions; legal versus historical truth; the relationship between human dignity, reputation, and privacy; the role of politicians, veterans, and Holocaust deniers as complainants; the problem of amnestied crimes. The second test,the results of which are based on verdicts, commentaries, and press articles, and presented in a synoptic table,looks closely into the complainants' and defendants' profiles, the allegedly defamatory statements themselves, and the verdicts. All statements deemed defamatory were about such contemporary events as World War II (particularly war crimes, collaboration, and resistance) and colonial wars. Both tests amount to two conclusions. The first one is about historians' professional rights and obligations: historians should make true, but privacy,sensitive or potentially offending, statements only when the public interest is served; otherwise, they should have a right to silence. The second conclusion concerns defamation itself: defamation cases and threats to sue in defamation have a chilling effect on the historical debate; they are often but barely veiled attempts at censorship. [source]

Higher Cost, Lower Validity and Higher Utility: Comparing the Utilities of Two Tests that Differ in Validity, Costs and Selectivity

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT, Issue 2 2000
George C. Thornton
Traditional approaches to comparing the utility of two tests have not systematically considered the effects of different levels of selectivity that are feasible and appropriate in various selection situations. For example, employers who hope to avoid adverse impact often find they can be more selective with some tests than with others. We conducted two studies to compare the utilities of two tests that differ in costs, validity, and feasible levels of selectivity which can be employed. First, an analytical solution was conducted starting with a standard formula for utility. This analysis showed that for both fixed and variable hiring costs, a higher-cost, lower-validity procedure can have higher utility than a lower-cost, higher-validity procedure when the selection ratios permissible using the two procedures are sufficiently (yet realistically) different. Second, using a computer simulation method, several combinations of the critical variables were varied systematically to detect the limits of this effect in a finite set of specific selection situations. The results showed that the existence of more severe levels of adverse impact greatly reduced the utility of a written test with relatively high validity and low cost in comparison with an assessment center with lower validity and higher cost. Both studies showed that the consideration of selectivity can yield surprising conclusions about the comparative utility of two tests. Even if one test has lower validity and higher cost than a second test, the first may yield higher utility if it allows the organization to exercise stricter levels of selectivity. [source]

Measuring the quality of clinical audit projects

JOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 4 2000
Andrew D. Millard MSc
Abstract The aim of the study was to develop and pilot a scale measuring the quality of audit projects through audit project reports. Statements about clinical audit projects were selected from existing instruments assessing the quality of clinical audit projects to form a Likert scale. Audit facilitators based in Scottish health boards and trusts piloted the scale. The participants were known to have over 2 years of experience of supporting clinical audit. The response at first test was 11 of 14 and at the second test 27 of 46. Audit facilitators tested the draft scale by expressing their strength of agreement or disagreement with each statement for three reports. Validity and reliability were assessed by test , re-test, item , total, and total , global indicator correlation. Of the 20 statements, 15 had satisfactory correlation with scale totals. Scale totals had good correlation with global indicators. Test , re-test correlation was modest. The wide range of responses means further research is needed to measure the consistency of audit facilitators' interpretations, perhaps comparing a trained group with an untrained group. There may be a need for a separate scale for reaudits. Educational impact is distinct from project impact generally. It may be more meaningful to treat the selection of projects and aims, methodology and impact separately as subscales and take a project profiling approach rather than attempting to produce a global quality index. [source]

Cortisol response to two different doses of intravenous synthetic ACTH (tetracosactrin) in overweight cats

JOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 12 2000
J. P. Schoeman
Fifteen middle-aged to older, overweight cats attending a first-opinion clinic were investigated to rule out hyperadrenocorticism as a cause of their weight problem, using two different protocols for the adrenocortlcotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test. The cats received intravenous synthetic ACTH (tetracosactrin) at an initial dose of 125 ,g; a second test was performed between two and three weeks later, using a dose of 250 vg intravenously. The mean basal serum cortisol concentration was 203 nmol/litre (range 81 to 354 nmol/litre). The highest mean serum cortisol concentration occurred at 60 minutes following the 125 ,g dose and at 120 minutes following the 250 ,g dose. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between these peak cortisol concentrations attained using either dose of tetracosactrin. A significantly higher mean serum cortisol concentration was attained after the higher dose at the 180 minutes time point, indicating a more prolonged response when compared with the lower dose. The cats were followed up for one year after the initial investigations and none were found to develop hyperadrenocorticism during this time. [source]

Personality Trait Profiles of Missionary Adolescents

JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2000
Terry L. Dwelle
Background: The study objective was to compare the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis secondary population norms for adolescents, to test results of Assemblies of God missionary adolescents, and determine if the mission's experience had significant impact on personality traits. Methods: A retrospective record review study of Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis test results administered to all missionary adolescents aged 13- to 18-years-old, having attended a yearly school of missions from 1986 to 1994, was performed. A two-sample, two-tailed t -test was used for statistical analysis. Test results were compared with standard adolescent and adult norms. Initial, and second test results when available, were compared for significant personality trait changes in adolescents over a 2,3 year interval, while in the mission's program. Subpopulation norms were calculated for the study group. Results: Initial tests from 438 study group adolescents demonstrated significant differences in 7 of 9 personality trait categories for males, and 8 of 9 for females, compared with test adolescent norms. Initial, and second test comparisons were performed in 67 adolescents, and showed no significant changes in the personality trait scores in males and females. Personality trait profiles for females more closely resembled adult than adolescent norms, with 8 of the 9 personality trait categories showing no significant difference between adult female norms and study females. Conclusions: Clinicians and mission's sending agencies should be aware of the unique Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis test patterns for missionary adolescents, and that Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis norm tables for adolescents seem inadequate in evaluating missionary adolescents. Appropriate subpopulation norms are likely necessary. The impact of missions on personality trait categories of missionary adolescents seems negligible, but needs further research with methods that assure follow-up testing. These considerations could apply to other subpopulations and psychological tests. [source]

Corrosion of coating materials in oxidizing and hydrogen chloride containing atmospheres

MATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 12 2002
S.C. Cha
The boiler tubes in waste incinerator plants and power plants are mainly corrosive strained. This paper presents the corrosion behaviour of various coating materials in two corrosive atmospheres at 500°C. In a first test, Ni-based materials applied by High Velocity Oxygen Fuel Flame (HVOF)-spraying and Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS) as well as Cr-based materials obtained by diffusion coating process are tested in oxidizing atmosphere with water saturation. The results of the corrosion test in this H2O-O2 -N2 -atmosphere show that NiCr applied by HVOF is less oxidized than that applied by APS-coating, whereas NiCrBSi coating by APS shows higher resistance than that applied by HVOF-spraying. The diffusion coating of Cr/Si is better than that of pure Cr. In a second test, metallic Mo and W-based materials applied by thermal spraying are tested to verify their corrosion resistance in HCl-H2O-O2 -N2 -atmosphere. It is shown that pure Mo applied by APS on 13 CrMo 44 and WCrNi sprayed on 15 Mo 3 by HVOF as well as on 13 CrMo 44 show relatively high corrosion resistance, whereas Mo sprayed by APS on 15 Mo 3 is not resistant. Both tungsten-cobalt-chromium mixtures show extremely high oxidation rates. Base materials in both tests were the standard boiler tube materials 15 Mo 3 and 13 CrMo 44. But even the low corrosion rates of the best materials in these tests are higher compared to those of materials already presented by Cha et al. in an earlier paper. Korrosion von Beschichtungswerkstoffen in oxidierenden und chlorwasser-stoffhaltigen Atmosphären Die Wärmetauscherrohre von Müllverbrennungsanlagen und Kraftwerken sind hauptsächlich korrosiv beansprucht. Die vorliegende Veröffentlichung stellt das Korrosionsverhalten von verschiedenen Beschichtungswerkstoffen in zwei korrosiven Atmosphären bei einer Temperatur von 500°C vor. Zuerst wurden die durch Hochgeschwindigkeitsflammspritzen (HVOF) und atmosphärisches Plasmaspritzen (APS) aufgetragenen Ni-Basiswerkstoffe und die diffusionsbeschichteten Cr-Basiswerkstoffe in oxidierender Atmosphäre mit Wassersättigung getestet. Die Ergebnisse der Korrosionsversuche in der H2O-O2 -N2 -Atmosphäre zeigen, dass NiCr (HVOF) resistenter ist als durch APS Beschichtung, wobei die Beschichtung mit NiCrBSi durch APS höhere Beständigkeit als die durch HVOF zeigt. Eine diffusionsbeschichtete Cr/Si-Schicht zeigt höhere Beständigkeit als eine reine Cr-Schicht. In einer zweiten Versuchsreihe wurden metallisches Mo und W-Basiswerkstoffe auf Korrosionsbeständigkeit in HCl-H2O-O2 -N2 -Atmosphäre untersucht. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Proben mit Mo (APS) auf 13 CrMo 44, sowie WCrNi (HVOF) auf 15 Mo 3 und 13 CrMo 44 relativ hohe Korrosionsbeständigkeiten besitzen. Dagegen ist Mo (APS) auf 15 Mo 3 nicht beständig. Beide W-Co-Verbindungen zeigen extrem hohe Oxidationsraten. Als Basiswerkstoffe wurden die Standard Kesselrohr-Werkstoffe 15 Mo 3 und 13 CrMo 44 gewählt. Aber auch die niedrigsten Korrosionsraten der besten Werkstoffe in dieser Untersuchung sind höher als diejenigen der in einer früheren Arbeit von Cha et al. vorgestellten Werkstoffe. [source]

School urinalysis screening in Korea

NEPHROLOGY, Issue 2007
BYOUNG-SOO CHO
SUMMARY: Since 1998, by law, all school children in Korea must have an annual urinalysis. The first early morning urine specimen is examined by a simple dipstick method for the detection of proteinuria, haematuria and glucose. If a urine test is positive, a second test is performed by paediatric nephrologists. We analysed urinalysis data of school urinalysis screening. We also analysed the results of clinical data and the renal biopsy findings of patients referred to our medical centre due to abnormal urinalysis result. To date, about five million students have been screened since annual school urinalysis started in January 1998. Among them, isolated proteinuria was about 0.2%, occult blood was about 0.8%, and glucosuria was about 0.07% from January 1998 to December 2004. Among referred patients, renal biopsy was taken in 63.1% of isolated haematuria, 10.5% of isolated proteinuria and 69.9% of haematuria combined with proteinuria. Histopathological findings are IgA nephropathy in 43.8%, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 38.4%, Henoch,Schönlein nephritis in 2.7%, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in 1.6% and lupus nephritis in 0.5%. Alport disease showed 0.6% as a hereditary disease. In conclusion, the school urinalysis screening could detect chronic renal disease in its early stage. Early detection using school urinalysis screening and confirmatory diagnosis by renal biopsy seems to be helpful for assessment of prognosis and intervention of chronic renal disease progression. [source]

Longitudinal changes in lung function and somatic growth in children with sickle cell disease,

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Anastassios C. Koumbourlis MD
Abstract Background We studied the changes in the patterns of lung function and somatic growth over time in children and adolescents (10.6,±,3.5 years at first test) with hemoglobin SS (Hb-SS) sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods Lung function and somatic growth were measured twice with an interval of 42.3,±,23.3 months in 45 children (25 females and 20 males) with Hb-SS SCD. Results The lung volumes slightly decreased but remained borderline normal in both tests. All spirometric indices were within the normal range but significantly decreased (P,<,0.001) at the time of the second test indicating development of lower airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1): 87,±,21 vs. 80,±,15; FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC): 89,±,7 vs. 85,±,6; FEF25,75: 89,±,32 vs. 76,±,24). "Normal" pattern of lung function was initially found in 56% of the patients, but in only 29% in the second test. In contrast, those with "obstructive" pattern increased from 22 to 44%, and those with "restrictive" pattern from 22 to 27%. There was no association between history of asthma and pattern of lung function. "Normal" Body Mass Index (BMI) was found in 64% of the patients, whereas 13% had "High" BMI and 22% "Low" BMI. The two latter patterns were associated with abnormal lung function but only patients with normal BMI showed actual decline overtime. Conclusion SCD is characterized by a predominantly obstructive pattern of lung function that increases in prevalence over time. There was no apparent causal relationship between the pattern of somatic growth and the pattern of lung function. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:483,488. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Beryllium sensitivity among workers at a Norwegian aluminum smelter,

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 7 2010
A.M. Nilsen PhD
Abstract Background Sensitivity to beryllium was investigated among workers at an aluminum smelter in Norway as a consequence of the findings in an occupational exposure survey. Methods Three hundred and sixty-two employees and 31 reference persons were tested for sensitization to beryllium with the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) based on specifications by the US Department of Energy in 2001. The results are reported as abnormal, borderline, or normal. Results One person (0.28%) from the aluminum smelter was found to have abnormal results in two separate blood samples and is sensitized to beryllium. Three other persons had one abnormal test that was not confirmed by a second test. One person in the reference group had one abnormal and one normal test result. No borderline samples were detected. None of the employees with one or more abnormal sample results had pot room asthma. The sensitized individual worked in a Soederberg line in 1972,1974. The beryllium concentration in the work atmosphere is estimated to have been similar as today (0.1,0.3,µg/m3), but work routines, etc. would cause higher total exposures. Conclusions Only one sensitized person of 362 is in line with what is found in other studies in the aluminum industry. The low number, compared with the beryllium handling industry, may be attributable to lower work atmosphere concentrations, beryllium speciation effects, or use of respiratory protection equipment. Pot room asthma does not appear to be associated with beryllium sensitization. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:724,732, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Tracking the R-to-K shift: Changes in memory awareness across repeated tests

APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 6 2009
Stephen A. Dewhurst
Participants studied lists of rare words and their definitions (e.g. the fleshy area at the base of the thumb,=,thenar). They were then given recognition tests in which they were shown the definitions and asked to identify the target from a choice of four. Participants categorised each decision as a remember, know, familiar or guess response and rated their confidence on a seven-point scale. Recognition tests were administered 5,minutes, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months after study. Remember responses dominated recognition on the first test but decreased on subsequent tests, whereas know response increased across successive tests. Familiar and guess responses peaked on the second test and then declined. Remember and know responses were associated with higher levels of accuracy and confidence than familiar and guess responses. The findings are consistent with the remember-to-know (R-to-K) shift and show the trajectory of changes in memory awareness across repeated tests. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

The Complexity of External Acoustic Detection of Defects in Björk-Shiley Convexoconcave Heart Valves

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2001
Bas A. De Mol
Abstract: Fractures in Björk-Shiley convexoconcave (BScc) heart valves have raised questions about the feasibility of early diagnosis of technical defects by means of acoustic assessment. Three laboratory tests were conducted. To establish acoustic fingerprints, 66 valves with a defect, such as single-leg fracture (SLF) or single-leg separation (SLS), or without a defect were connected with a contact sensor and excited by dropping a small metal ball onto the outlet strut. In the second test, we simulated the valve sound propagation within the thorax. In the third test, intact, SLF, and SLS valves were placed in a mock heart immersed in a large water tank. We observed a resonance frequency corresponding with valve size and presence of defects. The second test showed that both the chest wall and the lungs created numerous reflections. This led to a substantial overlap of the original pulse frequencies and the frequencies measured. The third test confirmed that submersion of the chest in water can significantly reduce chest wall reflections. Reliable noninvasive assessment of BScc valve clicks for the presence of defects of the outlet strut is hampered by complex sound propagation within the thorax and variability of valve excitation. Acoustic fingerprints to diagnose mechanical defects should be integrated in valve design. [source]

Effects of desmopressin (DDAVP) on memory impairment following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA, Issue 3 2004
Ebrahim Abdollahian
Background:, Memory impairment is a common adverse effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Studies on animals and humans suggest that vasopressin improves the cognitive function, and positive effects of desmopressin on memory and learning have been reported. This research was performed for evaluation of the effects of desmopressin in the prevention of memory impairment following ECT. Methods:, This randomized, double-blind controlled clinical trial with placebo administration was performed on 50 patients with psychiatric disorders who were candidates for ECT. Subjects in the case group received 60 µm of intranasal desmopressin daily (in three doses of 20 µm). For the control group 0.9% saline solution was administered in the same way. Memory function was evaluated using Wechsler's Memory Scale three times a week (the first time before the start of ECT and the second and third times after the third and sixth sessions, respectively). Results were analyzed by t -test and Paired t -test. Results:, The mean age of patients was 29 years (range 20,40). During the course of ECT, patients in the control group demonstrated a meaningful decrease in memory scores (from a base score of 80.15,75.45 in the second test and 72.60 in the third test). Despite this, a meaningful increase in memory scores was observed during the treatment with desmopressin in the case group (from a base score of 73.27,75.70 and 79.13 in the second and the third tests, respectively). There was a meaningful difference between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Conclusion:, This study confirms the protective effect of desmopressin against memory impairment. The results confirm that memory impairment is a common side-effect of ECT and suggest that desmopressin may prevent ECT-induced memory impairment by its effects on memory and the learning process. [source]

Impact of skin cancer education on medical students' diagnostic skills

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
S. Cliff
Summary Skin cancer is increasingly common, and the skills involved in its diagnosis should be promoted in UK medical schools. However, there has been no scientific evaluation of the teaching methods employed by dermatology departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate, using traditional audiovisual methods, the impact of an illustrated booklet on skin cancer, coupled with a lecture, on undergraduates' diagnostic skills. The ability of 27 final-year medical students to recognize a variety of skin lesions, using projected images from clinical slides, was assessed. They were tested without warning on two occasions. Immediately after the first test, students were given an illustrated booklet on skin tumours and pigmented lesions which was supplemented with a lecture based on the booklet. Two weeks later, a second test was employed using a series of slides deemed to be of equal diagnostic difficulty. Our results showed a significant increase in the median number of correct diagnoses between the first and second tests (P < 0.001). However, there remained wide variation at the second test in the percentage of correct answers (30 to 80%) amongst students. Our study highlights the need to develop effective methods for improving the diagnostic skills of undergraduates in dermatology, and the importance of evaluating teaching methods. The methods of evaluation, such as ours, can be simple and inexpensive. [source]

Universal newborn hearing screening: a 27-month experience in the French region of Champagne-Ardenne

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2007
Marianne Lévêque
Abstract Objectives: This article reports the creation of a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program in a French region, Champagne-Ardenne, and the results of its first 27 months. Materials and Methods: We introduced a UNHS program in all the Champagne-Ardenne maternities in order to screen all newborns in the region. We used a two-step strategy. The first test consists of automated transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and is performed before discharge by a nurse or a midwife. If TEOAE are absent in both ears (positive screening test), the baby is referred to the second test, which could be either TEOAE or automated auditory brainstem response (aABR) 15 days after discharge, by a physician in an outpatient clinic. If the retest is positive in both ears, the baby is referred to diagnostic tests in a reference centre. This procedure also applies to newborns in neonatal intensive care units but, in those cases, the first test procedure is aABR because of the higher incidence of auditory neuropathies in those units. UNHS data are recorded with the other neonatal screening tests in the Regional Neonatal Screening Center, which facilitates the follow-up of newborns. Results: A total of 33 873 newborns were screened, which represents a coverage rate of 92.42%. In those babies, 33 431 had a negative first test and 429 were retested. There were 34 positive retests. Among those 34 children, 27 were actually deaf (0.08%). The median age at diagnosis was shortened from 17 months to 10 weeks. Conclusion: Those 27-month results demonstrate the validity of our UNHS program, which relies on the cooperation with maternities, an easy protocol and a strong follow-up procedure. [source]