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Standard Scale (standard + scale)
Selected AbstractsSTANDARD SCALES FOR CRISPNESS, CRACKLINESS AND CRUNCHINESS IN DRY AND WET FOODS: RELATIONSHIP WITH ACOUSTICAL DETERMINATIONSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2008MAITE A. CHAUVIN ABSTRACT A trained panel developed rating scales for crispness, crunchiness and crackliness for dry and wet foods based on the auditory perception of selected foods. The newly developed scales were then evaluated by 40 untrained panelists and the sound perception of standard foods was assessed through the analysis of the root mean square (RMS) of the 5-s audio waveforms and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The RMS was highly correlated to auditory sensory perception of crispness (r = 0.83 and 0.96), crunchiness (r = 0.99 and 0.99) and crackliness (r = 0.88 and 0.96) for dry and wet foods, respectively. MDS technique applied for the 40 untrained panelists was instructive in assessing auditory textural differences of naïve panelists and a useful statistical instrument to graphically validate selected scales. Auditory perception of the selected foods were rated similarly using standard auditory texture scales for crispness, crunchiness and crackliness developed by the trained panel (oral evaluation) and MDS results from the untrained panel (recordings). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Crispness, crunchiness and crackliness are not only important and useful descriptors of food texture, but are also desirable textural qualities in many foods. The lack of consistency in the procedures used for the evaluation of crunchy, crispy and crackly in sensory studies often results in confusion when training expert panels. Research will benefit textural studies through an improvement of consistent textural definitions and development of standard scales and evaluation techniques. The crispness, crunchiness and crackliness scales developed and applied in the current study represent a new potential standard frame of reference that may be used for training panelists in texture parameters related to food auditory perception. The scales may be considered illustrations demonstrating full and practical ranges for each texture attribute with regard to analyzing auditory parameters of foods and effective objective tools for assessing panelists in descriptive analysis. [source] Emollients in a propanol-based hand rub can significantly decrease irritant contact dermatitisCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2005Günter Kampf The objective of this study is to determine the effect of emollients in a propanol-based hand rub on skin dryness and erythema. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 35 subjects participated; of them approximately half were atopic (modified Erlanger atopy score ,8). 2 propanol-based formulations were tested in a repeated open application test, 1 contained a mixture of emollients (0.81%, w/w). 2 aliquots of 0.7 ml of each formulation were applied twice per day over 2 weeks to the cubital fossa of each subject after random assignment of the preparations. Treatment areas were assessed before each application and 3 days postfinal application by visual inspection for erythema and dryness according to a standard scale. The sum score over all assessment time-points served as primary parameter. The mean sum score for erythema and dryness was significantly lower for the hand rub with emollients (0.8 ± 2.4) in comparison with that for the hand rub without emollients (1.5 ± 3.5; P = 0.022; Wilcoxon signed rank test). A comparison of the atopic and non-atopic subjects revealed no significant difference for any of the products (P > 0.05; Mann,Whitney U -test). It is concluded that the addition of emollients to a propanol-based hand rub can significantly decrease irritant contact dermatitis under frequent-use conditions. [source] The use of near infrared interactance in hemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005N. Sarhill Forty-one consecutive admissions to a hemodialysis center were evaluated. Demographic information including age, gender, race, and diagnosis was collected. Patients, >18 years old, with end stage renal disease and on hemodialysis for at least one year were included. Those with edema or known ascites were excluded. Weight was measured before and after hemodialysis (HD) using a standard scale and by considering the amount of fluid loss by the hemodialysis machine. Body composition including total body water (TBW) was calculated before and after HD using near infrared interactance (NIR). All measurements were completed during half hour before and after HD. Forty-one patients included: men (n = 26), women (n = 15); median age 58 (range 28,88 years). Twenty-eight were African American and the rest Caucasians. The amount of intravascular fluid taken after HD (assessed by weight reduction) ranged 0,5 L with median 2.2 L. NIR analysis for the same patients at the same time showed different total body water measurements in 91% of cases (P > 0.05). Moreover, NIR analysis showed increase in total body water in 24% of patients even though the hemodialysis machine showed a loss of total body water; median of 1.3 (range: 0,3L). The error in measuring body composition with NIR was both large and varied (random and not systematic error). We conclude that NIR analysis cannot be considered as a reliable method to evaluate body composition, especially total body water, amongst patients with end stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. [source] Effect of fluence on efficacy using the 1440 nm laser with CAP technology for the treatment of rhytids,LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 6 2008Jenifer R. Lloyd D.O. Abstract Background and Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluence on the treatment of rhytids using a 1440 nm laser with CAPSM technology and the T350 tip. Study Design/Materials and Methods Twelve subjects with rhytids were enrolled in an IRB approved study. The AffirmÔ laser with CAP technology (Cynosure, Inc., Westford, MA) 1440 nm, 10 mm T350, 2 milliseconds, 1.5 Hz was used at fluences ranging from 3.0 to 5.5 J/cm2 in a split face study. At each treatment visit, fluences on the right side of the face were held constant at 3.0 J/cm2, while the left side of the face started at 3.0 J/cm2 and increased 0.5 J/cm2 with each treatment to a maximum of 5.5 J/cm2. Five treatments were given at 2-week intervals using the SmartCoolÔ (Cynosure, Inc.). Photographic comparisons at baseline and 3 months were used to compare fluence results as well as to evaluate for efficacy in the treatment of rhytids. The following standard scale was employed: Poor (0,25%), Fair (26,50%), Good (51,75%), and Excellent (76,100%). In addition, following the study, a few subjects received a series of laser pulses at increasing fluences on their buttocks to further evaluate the effect of fluence on tissue reaction. Results Comparing the right and left photographic results, no clinically observable differences were noted. Both sides received the same grade in all cases. Five subjects (42%) were noted to have Good results, three (25%) were given a rating of Fair, and four (33%) were given a Poor result with little or no improvement observed. The follow-up buttock fluence study demonstrated an effect threshold at 3.0 J/cm2. Conclusion The 1440 nm laser with CAP technology can provide overall improvement in patients with rhytids at moderate fluences. Increasing the fluence does not appear to increase efficacy. Lesers Surg. Med. 40:387,389, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Impact of item-writing flaws in multiple-choice questions on student achievement in high-stakes nursing assessmentsMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 2 2008Marie Tarrant Context, Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are frequently used to assess students in health science disciplines. However, few educators have formal instruction in writing MCQs and MCQ items often have item-writing flaws. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of item-writing flaws on student achievement in high-stakes assessments in a nursing programme in an English-language university in Hong Kong. Methods, From a larger sample, we selected 10 summative test papers that were administered to undergraduate nursing students in 1 nursing department. All test items were reviewed for item-writing flaws by a 4-person consensus panel. Items were classified as ,flawed' if they contained , 1 flaw. Items not containing item-writing violations were classified as ,standard'. For each paper, 2 separate scales were computed: a total scale which reflected the characteristics of the assessment as administered and a standard scale which reflected the characteristics of a hypothetical assessment including only unflawed items. Results, The proportion of flawed items on the 10 test papers ranged from 28,75%; 47.3% of all items were flawed. Fewer examinees passed the standard scale than the total scale (748 [90.6%] versus 779 [94.3%]). Conversely, the proportion of examinees obtaining a score , 80% was higher on the standard scale than the total scale (173 [20.9%] versus 120 [14.5%]). Conclusions, Flawed MCQ items were common in high-stakes nursing assessments but did not disadvantage borderline students, as has been previously demonstrated. Conversely, high-achieving students were more likely than borderline students to be penalised by flawed items. [source] Childhood encephalopathy: viruses, immune response, and outcomeDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2006Michael Clarke BSc MB ChB FRCPCH This study examined children with an acute encephalopathy illness for evidence of viral infection, disordered blood-brain barrier function, intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis, and interferon (IFN) production, and related their temporal occurrence to outcome. A prospective study of 22 children (13 males, 9 females; age range 1mo to 13y, median 2y 4mo), recorded clinical details, with serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis near presentation and then on convalescent specimens taken up to day 39 of the neurological illness. Outcome was assessed with standard scales between 18 months and 3 years after presentation. A history consistent with viral infection was given in 17 children but laboratory evidence of viral infection was found in only 7 (7/17). In 18 out of 21 children, an elevated CSF: serum albumin ratio indicative of impairment of the blood,CSF and blood,brain barriers was detected at some stage of the illness. In 14 of the 15 children with a raised immunoglobulin G index, and in 12 of the 14 children where the CSF was positive for oligoclonal bands, this was preceded by, or was observed at the same time as, an abnormal albumin ratio. Sixteen children (16/18) had elevated IFN-, levels in serum, or CSF, or in both. We conclude that these findings indicate an initial disruption of the blood-brain barrier followed by intrathecal antibody production by activated lymphocytes, clonally restricted to a few antigens. This is the first in vivo study to show this as an important pathogenetic mechanism of encephalitis in children. Poor outcome was associated with young age, a deteriorating electroencephalogram pattern from grade 1 to grade 2, and the degree of blood-brain barrier impairment, particularly when prolonged, but not with Glasgow Coma Scale score. The persistence of IFN-, was associated with a good prognosis. [source] Addition of nimesulide to small intestinal submucosa biomaterial inhibits postsurgical adhesiogenesis in ratsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010Mark A. Suckow Abstract Adhesion formation is a common complication in abdominal surgery with incidence as high as 93% and small bowel obstruction a common complication. Because the extracellular matrix material, small intestinal submucosa (SIS), is commonly used in various surgical procedures, methods to inhibit adhesiogenesis are of great interest. This study was undertaken to determine if incorporation of nimesulide (NM), a selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, could reduce the extent and tenacity of intraabdominal adhesion formation associated with SIS implantation. Female Sprague,Dawley rats underwent a cecal abrasion surgical procedure to induce adhesiogenesis. Rats were either left untreated or treated by direct application over the injured cecum with polypropylene mesh (PPM); SIS; SIS containing a low dose of NM; or SIS containing a high dose of NM. Rats were euthanized 21 days later, and adhesion extent and tenacity were evaluated using standard scales (0 = minimal adhesiogenesis; 4 = severe adhesiogenesis). Addition of NM to SIS resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in adhesion extent and in a similar reduction in adhesion tenacity for SIS containing a low dose of NM. Adhesions typically extended from the abraded cecal surface to the body wall and were characterized histologically by fibrous tissue adherent to the cecal wall. In conclusion, addition of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, COX-2 selective drug, NM, to SIS attenuates adhesion extent and tenacity when compared with surgical placement of SIS or PPM alone. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010 [source] STANDARD SCALES FOR CRISPNESS, CRACKLINESS AND CRUNCHINESS IN DRY AND WET FOODS: RELATIONSHIP WITH ACOUSTICAL DETERMINATIONSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2008MAITE A. CHAUVIN ABSTRACT A trained panel developed rating scales for crispness, crunchiness and crackliness for dry and wet foods based on the auditory perception of selected foods. The newly developed scales were then evaluated by 40 untrained panelists and the sound perception of standard foods was assessed through the analysis of the root mean square (RMS) of the 5-s audio waveforms and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The RMS was highly correlated to auditory sensory perception of crispness (r = 0.83 and 0.96), crunchiness (r = 0.99 and 0.99) and crackliness (r = 0.88 and 0.96) for dry and wet foods, respectively. MDS technique applied for the 40 untrained panelists was instructive in assessing auditory textural differences of naïve panelists and a useful statistical instrument to graphically validate selected scales. Auditory perception of the selected foods were rated similarly using standard auditory texture scales for crispness, crunchiness and crackliness developed by the trained panel (oral evaluation) and MDS results from the untrained panel (recordings). PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Crispness, crunchiness and crackliness are not only important and useful descriptors of food texture, but are also desirable textural qualities in many foods. The lack of consistency in the procedures used for the evaluation of crunchy, crispy and crackly in sensory studies often results in confusion when training expert panels. Research will benefit textural studies through an improvement of consistent textural definitions and development of standard scales and evaluation techniques. The crispness, crunchiness and crackliness scales developed and applied in the current study represent a new potential standard frame of reference that may be used for training panelists in texture parameters related to food auditory perception. The scales may be considered illustrations demonstrating full and practical ranges for each texture attribute with regard to analyzing auditory parameters of foods and effective objective tools for assessing panelists in descriptive analysis. [source] | ||||||||||