Pair Of Descriptors Research Articles

PRM77 Mapping the Meanings of Words Patients Use to Describe Their Pain

To identify the meaning of descriptors patients use to describe the quality and severity of their pain by mapping word clusters that patients identify as synonyms for the same pain sensation. Subjects were recruited by web posting and telephone screening. Those self-reporting active treatment for Migraine or Low Back Pain (LBP) were scheduled for in-person interviews using card sort exercises with 93 different pain descriptors to identify those each subject commonly used to describe the pain associated with their condition, and to identify pairs of descriptors that describe the same pain. Network maps that diagrammed patient identified equivalences between descriptors were created for each condition using Netdraw (Borgatti 2002) and then compared. Subjects ranged between 19 and 70 years (mean age of 41). The majority (73%) was female, 65% were working full or part time, and 59% were Caucasian. Migraine patients identified more descriptive synonyms to describe their pain (10% of all identified synonym pairs) than the LBP group (6%). For the Migraine group, most words used synonymously formed a single large cluster of connections. For the LBP group two main clusters of descriptors emerged, differentiating low-intensity and high-intensity pain. Patients in both groups tended to identify STIFFNESS-TIGHT, ACHING-HURTING, RADIATING-SHOOTING and PULSATING-PULSING-THROBBING as synonymous. LBP patients also associated RADIATING with movement (SPREADING/PENETRATING) and thermal (HOT) descriptors, while Migraine patients tended to use it interchangeably with PIERCING. Migraine patients described TIGHT as equivalent with SQUEEZING/CRUSHING, while LBP patients associated it with PULLING/TENSION. For LBP patients, SPREADING was closely associated with PENETRATING/RADIATING/SHOOTING, while for Migraine patients it was linked closely to THROBBING/GNAWING/FLASHING. While some descriptors were used to convey a more consistent meaning across groups, other descriptors demonstrated condition-specific meaning. These findings emphasize the importance of context of use when using pain as a study endpoint.

Asymmetric properties of long-term and total heart rate variability.

We report on two new physiological phenomena: the long-term and total heart rate asymmetry, which describe a significantly larger contribution of heart rate accelerations to long-term and total heart rate variability. In addition to the existing pair of indices, {text {SD1}}_{rm d}, {text {SD1}}_{rm a}, which are based on partitioning short-term variance, we introduce two other pairs of descriptors based on partitioning long-term ({text {SD2}}_{rm d}, {text {SD2}}_{rm a}) and total ( {text {SDNN}}_{rm d}, {text {SDNN}}_{rm a}) heart rate variability. The new asymmetric descriptors are used to analyze RR intervals time series derived from the 30-min ECG recordings of 241 healthy subjects resting in supine position. It is shown that both new types of asymmetry are present in 76% of the subjects. The new phenomena reported here are real physiological findings rather than artifacts of the method since they vanish after data shuffling.

Quality of recalled dyspnoea is different from exerciseinduced dyspnoea: an experimental study

Are volunteered and endorsed descriptors of recalled breathlessness consistent with descriptors of exercise-induced breathlessness? Are volunteered and endorsed descriptors of exercise-induced breathlessness consistent? Within-participant, repeated measures, experimental study. 57 people with symptomatic chronic respiratory disease aged 71 years. There were three conditions. The first was recalled breathlessness. Two conditions of exercise-induced breathlessness were created by getting the participants to undertake the 6-min Walk Test twice (breathlessness 1 and 2). Descriptors of breathlessness were volunteered (where participants' used their own words) or endorsed (from a pre-existing list of 15 breathlessness statements). Emotive descriptors made up 65% of recalled descriptors compared with 11% of exercise-induced descriptors, whereas physical descriptors made up 35% of recalled descriptors compared with 89% of exercise-induced descriptors. Of the 237 potential language pairs volunteered to describe recalled and exercise-induced breathlessness 1, only 27 (11%) were identical whereas of the 171 potential language pairs endorsed as describing recalled and exercise-induced breathlessness 1, 66 (39%) were identical. Of the 175 potential language pairs of descriptors volunteered to describe exercise-induced breathlessness 1 and 2, 72 (41%) were identical whereas of the 153 potential language pairs endorsed as describing exercise-induced breathlessness 1 and 2, 71 (46%) were identical. The language used to describe exercise-induced breathlessness immediately after two walking challenges was similar. However, descriptions of recalled breathlessness did not consistently match descriptions of exercise-induced breathlessness, which may reflect the different contexts under which breathlessness was recalled and induced.

Toxicity caused by para-substituted phenols on Tetrahymena pyriformis: the structure-activity relationships

The toxicity of thirty para-substituted phenols on Tetrahymena pyriformis was modelled using an original methodology that uses the complex structural information of the compounds. Two models were built. The methodology allows atomic properties to be assigned to toxicity based on the selection of pairs of descriptors from the entire family, which is called Molecular Descriptors Family (MDF). One model has two independent structural descriptors and the other has four. The model with four descriptors proved to have high estimated and predictive abilities (over 97% of toxicity could be explained by structural information). The partial charge distribution by bonds (molecular topology) and space (molecular geometry) interaction proved to be related with the toxicity of para-substituted phenols on Tetrahymena pyriformis . The predictive ability of the model was tested by using the following methods: the cross-validation leave-one-out and the training versus test experiments . The comparisons among the models were performed using the correlated correlations method. The embedding of the complex information from the structure using MDF methodology can lead to further investigations of the mechanism of chemicals toxicity on Tetrahymena pyriformis .

Determining the Psychoacoustic Parameters That Affect Subjective Sensation of Fabric Sounds at Given Sound Pressures

In fabric sound research, loudness has been proven to be the primary factor determining auditory sensation while other factors have not received enough attention in relation to their significance. This study aimed to analyze the secondary sound factors that differentiate sensations of fabric sounds at given sound pressure levels (SPL) corresponding to loudness. Objective sound data were obtained with psychoacoustic measurements such as Zwicker's parameters and auto correlation function parameters. These were compared with subjective ratings using seven pairs of descriptors: “hard vs. soft,” “quiet vs. loud,” “dull vs. sharp,” “obscure vs. clear,” “smooth vs. rough,” “low vs. high,” and “unpleasant vs. pleasant.” The fabric sounds having the same SPL varied in magnitude of perception for each sensation, thus revealing the effects of secondary sound factors. The parameters affecting subjective sensation are as follows: roughness ( z) and τ1, delay time of the first peak, decrease the sensations of “clarity,” “sharpness,” and “smoothness”; fluctuation strength ( z) promotes “smoothness” for 50 dB sounds; and τe, related to reverberation, increases “pleasantness” for 50 dB sounds.

Terminology Think Tank: Terminology of aggressive behavior

a U a q d C s f o d i c t s i k d There are many approaches to classifying behavior probems, and it is important that an agreed upon terminology esults from this discussion. The approach that we use at ornell University is to classify the problem by the species that nitiates the behavior. For example, if a dog chases a cat, it ould be classified as a canine problem. The victim or the bject of the initiator’s actions is the next modifier. For examle, the dog is chasing the cat, or the dog is clawing and biting he woodwork. Because the species of animal and the object or nimal affected are objective, no one can argue about the lassification so far. When disagreements arise, it is in assigning motivation. Is he dog chasing the cat because he wants to play, or is it a redatory attack that will result in the cat’s death should the cat e caught? Is the dog chewing and clawing the woodwork ecause he is bored, because he is trying to reach a dog outside interdog aggression), or because he is upset in the absence of he owner (separation anxiety)? If the owner can describe the og’s posture, or if the dog will repeat the behavior in front of he veterinary behaviorist, its ear, tail, mouth, and general body osition can be a guide to the dog’s motivation. The most controversial terminology is that of classification f aggression. Everyone agrees that dogs growl, snap, and bite eople, but the types of aggression can be lumped into as few s 3 types (dominance over owner, to children, and to strangrs) (Hart and Hart, 1985) or as many as 15 types (Beaver, 999) (Table 1). One method of creating a terminology is to se an algorithm with a pair of descriptors at each choice point. ood examples of algorithms are found in Karen Overall’s ehavior Medicine for Small Animals (Overall, 1997). Let us

Short commentary: Theoretical considerations on concentrated polymer interfaces: an attempt to explain dewetting of ultra-thin films.

We discuss the dewetting of ultra-thin molten polymer films within the framework of the Cahn-Hilliard theory for liquid interfaces. We argue that a) we need a pair of descriptors to characterize the bulk liquid of polymer chains (rather than the monomer density alone), b) the so-called loop density S, first introduced to describe polymer layers, may be a good scalar candidate for the configurational descriptor, c) the results found for the variation of S with distance might suggest an explanation for dewetting of ultra-thin polymer films.

Calculation of Intersubstituent Similarity Using R‐Group Descriptors.

This paper discusses the calculation of the similarities between pairs of substituents on ring systems. An R-group descriptor characterizes the distribution of some atom-based property, such as elemental type or partial atomic charge, at increasing numbers of bonds distant from the point of substitution on the parent ring. The similarity between a pair of descriptors is then calculated by a comparison of the corresponding property vectors. Experiments with the BIOSTER database demonstrate the ability of such similarity measures to discriminate between bioisosteric and nonbioisosteric functional groups.

Determination of equivalence between intensity scales by means of paired comparison

The equivalency of intensity scales used for different sensory descriptors by panelists during profiling with the audio method has been shown by comparing profiling data with data from paired comparisons. Sucrose-sweetness and lactic acid-sourness were chosen as examples of sensory stimulus–response relationships. Dose–response curves were measured for aqueous solutions of these compounds. Data were fitted with fourth order polynomial models that can be seen as power series expansions of Fechner's law. Expected scores and the zero-difference in (expected) scores for any descriptor pair, along with their standard deviations, were determined from the models. The respective sweetness/sourness of these solutions was also measured by 2-alternative forced choice (2-AFC) tests. A model with logit link and binomial distribution was used to fit the proportion wins as a function of the log concentrations of sucrose or lactic acid. The function representing an equal proportion of wins was plotted with 95% confidence intervals. Thus, regions of equal sweetness/sourness intensity could be compared graphically for both profiling data and 2-AFC data in a plot of lactic acid concentration versus sucrose concentration. The overlap of these two regions of equivalent concentrations supports the conclusion that the sweetness and sourness intensity scales as measured by the audio method are equivalent.

Calculation of intersubstituent similarity using R-group descriptors.

This paper discusses the calculation of the similarities between pairs of substituents on ring systems. An R-group descriptor characterizes the distribution of some atom-based property, such as elemental type or partial atomic charge, at increasing numbers of bonds distant from the point of substitution on the parent ring. The similarity between a pair of descriptors is then calculated by a comparison of the corresponding property vectors. Experiments with the BIOSTER database demonstrate the ability of such similarity measures to discriminate between bioisosteric and nonbioisosteric functional groups.

Hearing loss- and hearing aid-related stigma: perceptions of women with age-normal hearing.

Impaired hearing and the use of hearing aids are often perceived negatively. Many adults deny hearing loss and reject amplification, in part due to such stigma. Women and men differ in how they age and adjust to impaired hearing, yet little is known specifically about women's perceptions of stigma related to hearing loss and hearing aid use. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use among women in three age groups (35-45 years, 55-65 years, and 75-85 years). Participants were 191 women with hearing within normal limits based on age-related norms. Using pairs of descriptors (i.e., semantic differentials), participants completed statements related to hearing loss and hearing aid use. Results suggest that negative perceptions associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use are affected by age. Younger women perceive greater stigma than older women. Less stigma is associated with hearing aid use than hearing loss, suggesting a positive effect of hearing loss management. Implications for clinical practice and marketing of hearing instruments are discussed.

Standardized Membrane Pore Size Characterization by Polyethylene Glycol Rejection

The objective of this research was to provide information toward standardization of a method for determining and describing the pore size distribution of ultrafiltration or nanofiltration membranes. Currently, pore size distribution testing is not standardized, making membrane selection to achieve treatment objectives difficult at best. The method utilized in this work provides a standard testing procedure as well as a pair of descriptors (\iP\D90\N and the tightness coefficient) that provide needed information about the membrane pore sizes and pore size distribution. The method requires minimal equipment and no specialized knowledge. Determination of both \iP\D90\N and the tightness coefficient allows direct comparision of mean pore size and pore size distribution of membranes on a standardized basis. The pore size distribution of three membranes was determined under varying solution and pressure conditions by measuring the solute rejection for various sizes of polyethylene glycol molecules in the range of 600 to 35,000 daltons. The method can be replicated and the results are independent of the process variables of pressure and solution characteristics within the region likely to be encountered in drinking water treatment.

The frontier orbital phase angles: a theoretical interpretation

A pair of descriptors recently introduced to account for the activity of hallucinogenic phenethylamines has been shown to be a measure of the angles that the nodes of the frontier orbitals make with a reference direction in the molecule, in an approximation to the frontier orbitals of the molecule. The descriptors are referred to as the frontier orbital phase angles Θ H and Θ L, and are calculated with respect to a reference point on the benzene ring. The angle the node of the HOMO makes with the reference atom, measured at the center of the benzene ring is Θ H+π/6, and the angles the nodes in the LUMO make with the same atom are (Θ L − π/6) 2 and (Θ L − 5π/6) 2 . The dependence of activity of a drug on Θ H and Θ L, as well as on the energy splitting undergone by the frontier orbitals of benzene in the formation of the drug, is an excellent illustration of the wave mechanical nature of the binding of a drug to its receptor, and should make a valuable contribution to the development of 3D-QSAR programs.

Sensor fusion potential exploitation-innovative architectures and illustrative applications

Sensor fusion models have been characterized in the literature in a number of distinctly different ways: in terms of information levels at which the fusion is accomplished; the objectives of the fusion process, the application domain; the types of sensors employed, the sensor suite configuration and so on. The characterization most commonly encountered in the rapidly growing sensor fusion literature based on level of detail in the information is that of the now well known triplet: data level, feature level, and decision level. We consider here a generalized input-output (I/O) descriptor pair based characterization of the sensor fusion process that can be looked upon as a natural out growth of the trilevel characterization. The fusion system design philosophy expounded here is that an exhaustive exploitation of the sensor fusion potential should explore fusion under all of the different I/O-based fusion modes conceivable under such a characterization. Fusion system architectures designed to permit such exploitation offer the requisite flexibility for developing the most effective fusion system designs for a given application. A second facet of this exploitation is aimed at exploring the new concept of self-improving multisensor fusion system architectures wherein the central (fusion system) and focal (individual sensor subsystems) decision makers mutually enhance the other's performance by providing reinforced learning. A third facet is that of investigating fusion system architectures for environments wherein the different local decision makers may only be capable of narrower decisions that span only a subset of decision choices. The paper discusses these flexible fusion system architectures along with related issues and illustrates them with examples of their application to real-world scenarios.

Identifying Factors of Comfort and Discomfort in Sitting

We conducted a classification analysis to identify factors associated with sitting comfort and discomfort. The objective was to investigate the possible multidimensional nature of comfort and discomfort. Descriptors of feelings of comfort and discomfort were solicited from office workers and validated in a questionnaire study. From this study, 43 descriptors emerged. The 42 participants rated the similarity of all 903 pairs of descriptors, and we subjected the resulting similarity matrix to multidimensional scaling, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. Two main factors emerged, which were interpreted as comfort and discomfort. Based on these findings, we postulate a hypothetical model for perception of comfort and discomfort. Comfort and discomfort need to be treated as different and complementary entities in ergonomic investigations.

The Unambiguous Specification of the Steric Course of Asymmetric Syntheses

AbstractThe nomenclature of organic chemistry has not kept pace with the staggering advances made in asymmetric syntheses over the last 15 years. Efforts to specify the steric course of stereoselective reactions by use of the terms erythro and threo, and by other descriptors have led to ambiguous notation and consequently to an almost Babylonic confusion. We propose here a method, based on the CIP‐(Cahn‐Ingold‐Prelog) system, for the unambiguous specification of the steric course and the product configuration of diastereoselective reactions. The reflection‐invariant relative topicity of approach of reactants is defined as like (lk) and unlike (ul) if the corresponding descriptor pairs are Re*, Re*. or R*, Re*, and Re*, Si*, or R*, Si*, respectively. The descriptor pair notations (lk and ul) of reactants disclose related steric courses of reactions more often than do the relative configurations of their products, for which the configurational notation l=R*, R* and u=R*, S* is proposed. The advantage of specifying the relative topicity is demonstrated by means of a series of recent examples of importance to the synthetic organic chemist taken from the literature and from our own work.