Easy Method For Assessment Research Articles

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) for the Brazilian population.

Few instruments are available in Brazil to evaluate psychomotor activity in psychiatric emergency, clinical, and research settings. This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Behavioral Activity Rating Scale (BARS) into Brazilian Portuguese and assess the adapted scale's psychometric properties. An expert consensus committee conducted a translation and back-translation of the original scale, resulting in the BARS-BR. Four pairs of physicians administered the BARS-BR and the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) to patients in a hospital psychiatry emergency room and patients in the hospital's psychiatric wards. The BARS-BR was compared to the SAS to assess concurrent validity and internal consistency was evaluated with the Bland-Altman technique. In the emergency room, the correlation coefficients between the first and second assessments were rho = 0.997 and rho = 1.0, respectively. In the hospital wards, the correlation coefficient between the pair of evaluators was rho = 0.951. There were strong correlations between the BARS-BR score of the first examiner and the SAS score of the second examiner (rho = 0.903) and between the SAS score of the first examiner and the BARS-BR score of the second examiner (rho = 0.893). The BARS-BR showed good psychometric properties, and we recommend its use because it constitutes an easy method for assessment of changes in psychomotor activity. Further studies are suggested to evaluate adoption and comprehension of the BARS-BR scale by all classes of healthcare professionals.

Biofilms in caves: easy method for the assessment of dominant phototrophic groups/taxa in situ.

Domination of certain aerophytic phototrophic group or specific taxon in biofilms is connected with biofilm features recognised in situ. Well-developed, gelatinous, olive to dark-green biofilms are composed mostly of coccoid cyanobacterial forms. The same features, characterised biofilms dominated by one coccoid taxon, except the latter were vividly coloured. Gloeobacter caused the appearance of purple, Gloeocapsa representatives yellow and Chroococcidiopsis black biofilm. The brown to the dark colour of heterocytous biofilms was mainly caused by Nostoc. Simple trichal Cyanobacteria were occasionally present in biofilm, except in one blue-coloured sample. According to the principal component analysis (PCA), well-developed and gelatinous biofilms were correlated with Cyanobacteria, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed richness of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in such biofilms. Biofilm with calcified cyanobacterium (Geitleria cf. calcarea) was also found. Chlorophyta-abundant biofilms (many rich in Desmococcus), thinner than cyanobacterial, were predominantly green and occasionally yellow and blue. Many were dry when observed in situ (confirmed with PCA), with few being moistened (i.e. Klebsormidium-dominant). Diatom biofilms were usually developed on sediment, mosses or near seeping water (demonstrated by PCA) and were also thinner than cyanobacterial ones. Compared to cyanobacterial biofilms, SEM showed less developed EPS in those rich in diatoms and green algae, wheremicroorganisms are more exposedto the environment. The study demonstrates an easy method for biofilm assessment based on visual characterisation and provides encouragement for more frequent biofilm investigation in caves that can be important from an ecological, biological, biotechnological point of view and which assessment can have an irreplaceable role in potential monitoring and protection.

Hand grip strength in predicting the risk of osteoporosis in Asian adults.

There is a need for a cost-effective method to identify individuals with a high risk of osteoporosis. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of hand grip strength in predicting the risk of osteoporosis in Asian adults. In this cross-sectional, hospital-based study of 1007 participants, the bone mineral density of the spine and hips was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry according to the 2019 International Society for Clinical Densitometry official positions. Bone microarchitecture was evaluated using the trabecular bone score, and hand grip strength was measured in the dominant hand using a hand digital dynamometer. Hand grip strength was significantly related to bone density and bone microarchitecture. Moreover, hand grip strength was a significant predictor of osteoporosis in both women and men. For osteoporosis prediction in women, a threshold of 21.9kg of hand grip strength had a sensitivity of 59%, specificity of 59%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.61. In men, a threshold of 28.7kg had a sensitivity of 66%, specificity of 78%, and AUC of 0.75. The optimal cutoff strengths for osteoporosis depended on age and sex. The measurement of hand grip strength is a simple, cost-effective and an easy assessment method for identifying individuals at ahigh risk ofosteoporosis. The cutoff strength for evaluating osteoporosis in adults is age and sex specific.

Degradation of PVC insulated cable by Small Punch test considering molecular weight change

PVC used as insulation material for industrial power cable was tried to evaluate degradation by Small Punch test (SP test) as a simple and easy assessment method. It was suggested that the SP test can analyze chemical changes from the correlation with IR. Qualitative assessment shows agreement between SP test and tensile test, and it is possible to apply to evaluation of strength at long aging times. However, the failure load in the SP test samples is complex and scattered, so that detailed study on SP test is required. Thus, we focused chemical reaction mechanisms and tried to clarify their influence on SP behavior. Molecular weight change was measured for each aging time by SEC and discussed how polymer chains are cut based on IR result. We discuss the relationship between molecular weight and the mechanical properties of PVC by SP test. The effectiveness of SP test as the evaluation method for residual life prediction will be addressed.

Estimation of Changes in Mechanical and Color Properties from the Weight Loss Data of “Shine Muscat” Fruit during Storage

“Shine Muscat” fruit is a table grape commonly consumed cultivar in Japan; however, the storage characteristics have not been investigated, especially physical properties. The objective of this study was to clarify changes in weight loss, mechanical, and color properties of Shine Muscat fruit during storage and the relationships between them. The storage tests were performed at 15°C under two relative humidity (RH) conditions, i.e., RH 95% and RH 40%. The weight loss of fruit was calculated from the mass changes during storage. The mechanical properties—stress, strain, and elasticity—at the break point were examined by compression tests. The color properties, color differences (ΔE), and chroma (C) were calculated from L∗a∗b∗ scale parameters. The breaking stress did not reflect changes in the mechanical characteristics of samples during storage. Weight loss was highly correlated with the breaking strain and elasticity, ΔE, and C. In addition, the physical properties could be estimated from weight loss data (R2 = 0.81–0.94). We showed the changes in weight loss and other physical properties and proposed equations to estimate the physical properties based on weight loss data. The equations indicated the importance of inhibiting the weight loss to maintain the quality and could be used as a nondestructive and easy method for assessment of storage characteristics of Shine Muscat fruit.

Sponge inventory of the French Mediterranean waters, with an emphasis on cave-dwelling species.

Mediterranean sponges represent about 10 % of the world sponge biodiversity, with these sessile organisms dominating in terms of diversity and biomass in most of the rocky bottoms shaded from light. After 60 years of intensive study of the sponge diversity along the French coast, we present the first comprehensive reference-list for this biogeographic area. A total of 389 sponge species was recorded, of which 222 known in the Marseille region. In this area, special attention was paid to species from underwater caves. Although this particular habitat appeared as one of the richest, a wealth of hidden diversity still requires description. About 37 % of the sponge diversity can be found in underwater caves, most of these species being also distributed in other habitats. However, 23 % of this sponge diversity is cave-exclusive. An easy and rapid assessment method was developed with a selection of 65 representative sponge species, for the monitoring of semi-dark cave communities. This method, based on data acquisition with photoquadrats and their processing using a DataBase built with ACCESS, was deployed in 13 studied sites. Altogether, this study represents a useful contribution for marine environment managers who might refer to this French reference list and apply the rapid and easy assessment method in the framework of several European Directives and international Conventions.

Assessment of Parotid and Submandibular Glands With Shear Wave Elastography Following Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is used for remnant ablation following thyroidectomy. Side effects such as dysphagia, xerostomia, and sialoadenitis may occur. We aimed to determine the differences in the parotid and submandibulary glands between healthy patients and patients with PTC who had undergone RAI therapy and have dry mouth symptoms using both shear wave elastography and ultrasonography. We enrolled 30 patients with PTC who had undergone RAI therapy following surgery and 30 healthy controls. Ultrasonography and shear wave elastography of submandibular and parotid glands were performed. The volume of the submandibular glands and the thickness of parotid glands were determined. Ten independent measurements were obtained from each gland, with the region of interest placed at different points on the glands. The mean shear wave velocities (SWVs) were calculated and compared between the patients and controls. In the PTC group, there was a significant reduction in the volume of the submandibular glands (P < .05) and in the thickness of the parotid glands (P < .05) compared with the control group. The mean SWVs of the parotid glands and submandibular glands were significantly higher in the PTC group compared with the control group (P < .0001). The SWVs of the parotid glands were higher than the SWVs of the submandibular glands (P < .0001). Shear wave elastography could be a noninvasive and easy assessment method of parotid and submandibular glands in patients who had undergone RAI therapy and experience dry mouth.

Inventing a business-ERP alignment assessment model through three Japanese companies

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for assessing the status of alignment between organizations and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems—more friendly and quantitatively.Design/methodology/approachAn issue-based ERP assessment model is invented based on thorough literature review and empirical data from three Japanese companies. A modified Cartesian coordinate system is adopted to link the alignment criteria and the system maintenance activities.FindingsThe findings prove the feasibility of the model and reveal the variation of ERP alignment in a visualized way. It is also indicated that the utilization of the issue-based ERP assessment model is a more convenient method to help the organizations to pinpoint the status of the ERP alignment.Originality/valueThis is the first approach to measuring the business–information technology alignment visually. One major implication of this research is to provide an easy assessment method which may encourage organizations to do evaluations regularly. The information accumulated by regular assessment can further pinpoint the perfect time to make decisions and provide essential evidence for decision makings, such as when to expand or retire the current system. From the academic perspective, this model provides a new approach to evaluating the assimilation of organizations and ERP systems.

Early Prognostic Factors for the Progress of Preeclampsia - Our Experience in the Period 2010-2011.

AIM:To determine the prognostic value of the low Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) levels in the early stages of pregnancy (11–13 weeks GA) independently and in combination with a Doppler test of the uterine arteries during the second half of pregnancy (22–23 weeks GA).MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study covered the period 2010–2011 and included 106 pregnant women, aged 35–40, with a single child pregnancy. The research excluded pregnant women with anomalies of the fetus, smokers and women taking prophylactically low doses of aspirin.RESULTS:Thirty-six pregnant women had PAPP-A level below 0.4 MoM, whereas 20 of them developed preeclampsia and 7 – early preeclampsia. The combination of the low PAPP-A values and the abnormal Doppler test of the uterine arteries is with a considerably better prognostic value in regards to the risk of developing preeclampsia.CONCLUSION:The Doppler test is a non-invasive, quick and easy method for assessment of the uterine-placental blood flow.

A preliminary study on the assessment of swallowing function after supracricoid partial laryngectomy

To investigate a reliable and easy assessment method for swallowing function by evaluating objectively the recovery process of swallowing function in patients six months after supracricoid partial laryngectomy. The swallowing function of patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy was evaluated six months after operation in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University between January 2013 and February 2014 with two methods, the modified barium swallow (MBS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), combined with modified penetration aspiration scale (MPAS). Furthermore, the feasibility, reliability and accuracy of these two methods were compared. Eleven patients were enrolled. MPAS equals score 1 for solid food, semiliquid food, and liquid food was defined as a criteria of normal swallowing function. By MBS evaluation, the numbers of patients with normal swallowing function were two cases at day 16-30 postoperation, two cases at day 31-45 postoperation, five cases at day 46-90 postoperation, and six cases at day 91-180 postoperation, respectively. By FEES evaluation, the above numbers were three cases, four cases, six cases and eight cases, respectively. When the aspiration was minimal and ejected completely and MPAS was less than or equal to score 4 for solid food, semiliquid food, and liquid food, the gastric tube could be removed. According to this standard, the gastric tube was removed in all cases, and the mean time was (21.7 ± 9.8) days. A good correlation was obtained between these two methods when evaluating solid and semiliquid food, and the Kappa values were 0.802 and 0.844, respectively. However, a little agreement was obtained between these two methods when evaluating liquid food, and the Kappa value was 0.529. Patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy could restore good swallowing function in six months after the operation. Both the MBS and FEES are valuable procedures for evaluating objectively the swallowing function in patients after supracricoid partial laryngectomy. The FEES is much better than MBS, because FEES is a simple operation performed alone by otolaryngologists with no radiation.

Introducing a Rapid and Safe Method for Myeloperoxidase Staining

Background: Myeloperoxidase staining is used to differentiate leukemias since several decades. Despite implementation of flow cytometric, cytogenetic and molecular techniques for identification of leukemic blasts, histochemical stains such as myeloperoxidase stain are persistently used for better classification of leukemias. The myeloperoxidase staining is a time consuming and hazardous procedure. The present report describes a sensitive, rapid and easy method for assessment of peroxidase activity. Materials and Methods: Bone marrow aspiration slides were stained with Dako product: Code number: K3467 containing DAB chromogen (3,3-diaminobenzidine in chromogen solution) and substrate buffer (Imidasole-HCL buffer, PH 7.5 containing hydrogen peroxide and an anti microbial agent) in a rapid procedure taking only ten minutes time. The staining needs no material preparation steps. Neutrophils in the slide are taken as positive control or another normal smear was costained to be used as control. All cases were followed up with flow cytometry and cytogenetic studies. Result: The reaction product of this stain is brown and granular. Promyelocytes and myelocytes are the most strongly staining cells with positive (primary) granules. Lymphoblasts are negative. The result of classification of leukemias with this technique was in concordance with flow cytometric immunophenotyping. Discussion: Many practical techniques have been described using benzidine as an indicator for myeloperoxidase staining. Benzidine is a carcinogenic material and its usage is severely restricted in laboratory. Formerly we prepared requisite materials for myeloperoxidase staining by hazardous ways (boiling), but we decided to apply ready to use 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB), which is used in final step of immunohistochemistry stains. Conclusion: Use of 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) is highly recommended for myeloperoxidase staining, while the result is extraordinary and fully compatible with flow cytometry and the method is safe and rapid.

Improvement and Application of Risk Matrix

On the basis of the analysis of investment project risk evaluation methods, this article mainly discusses the risk matrix method in the application of risk assessment in risk investment project and constructs the risk matrix for risk assessment in risk investment project and designs risk matrix based on the process of risk assessment, hoping to provide a scientific, rational, easy assessment method for risk assessment in risk investment project.

A simple bedside test for upper extremity impairment after stroke: Validation of the Utrecht Arm/Hand Test

Purpose. To examine the intra- and inter-rater reliability, criterion validity and responsiveness of the Utrecht Arm/hand Test (UAT), a quick and easy assessment method for upper extremity impairment after stroke.Method. Study 1 (N = 29): Repeated administration of the UAT at admission and discharge; comparison with scores on the Fugl-Meyer test (FM), Action Research Arm test (ARA) and Self-Care scale of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Study 2 (N = 192): Admission of the UAT and Frenchay Arm Test at admission (FAT) and discharge. Computation of Spearman correlations between UAT and FAT and comparison of the Effect Size and the Standardised Response Mean of both measures.Results. Study 1: Spearman correlations between UAT and FM were 0.93 at admission and 0.94 at discharge. Correlations with ARA and FIM were also high: 0.90 and 0.76 at admission, and 0.89 and 0.73 at discharge. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were excellent (weighted κ 0.98–0.99). Study 2: Correlations between UAT and FAT were 0.93 at admission and 0.90 at discharge. The mean UAT score improved from 3.7 at admission up to 4.6 at discharge (p < 0.001). The Effect Size and Standardised Response Mean of the UAT were better than those of the FAT.Conclusion. The UAT is a simple, valid and reliable bedside test for the evaluation of upper extremity impairment after stroke.

Assessment of the breast volume by a new simple formula

Background: With the recent introduction of improved techniques for plastic surgery of the breast and increased public awareness toward these procedures, plastic surgeons are continuously trying to improve their methods and results to reach perfection. Assessment of the breast volume is an important issue prior to the use of breast implants in any aesthetic or reconstructive breast surgery. Previous methods to measure breast volume have included use of a simple bra and breast cup size, cumbersome fluid displacement, appliances and approximate visual estimation. Objectives: In this work we have tried to develop an easy method for assessment of the breast volume for both the patient and the the surgeon through a simple mathematical formula. Materials and Methods: Fifty two volunteers were included in this study. For every one, general parameters including age, weight and height were recorded. Local breast measurements and water volume displacement were also recorded. Results: The collected data were statistically correlated. Using the analyzed data, the breast volume was calculated through a simple and direct formula on the basis of the breast circumference. Conclusion: Our method has, as its principle, the use of an accurate and simple formula, which is based only on one measurement. This is easy for both the patient and the plastic surgeon. This equation is not only a significant technical advantage for the surgeon, but also provides a universal standardization of the breast volume.

Assessment of the breast volume by a new simple formula

Abstract Background: With the recent introduction of improved techniques for plastic surgery of the breast and increased public awareness toward these procedures, plastic surgeons are continuously trying to improve their methods and results to reach perfection. Assessment of the breast volume is an important issue prior to the use of breast implants in any aesthetic or reconstructive breast surgery. Previous methods to measure breast volume have included use of a simple bra and breast cup size, cumbersome fluid displacement, appliances and approximate visual estimation. Objectives: In this work we have tried to develop an easy method for assessment of the breast volume for both the patient and the the surgeon through a simple mathematical formula. Materials and Methods: Fifty two volunteers were included in this study. For every one, general parameters including age, weight and height were recorded. Local breast measurements and water volume displacement were also recorded. Results: The collected data were statistically correlated. Using the analyzed data, the breast volume was calculated through a simple and direct formula on the basis of the breast circumference. Conclusion: Our method has, as its principle, the use of an accurate and simple formula, which is based only on one measurement. This is easy for both the patient and the plastic surgeon. This equation is not only a significant technical advantage for the surgeon, but also provides a universal standardization of the breast volume.

Nutritional status of patients with advanced cancer: the value of using the subjective global assessment of nutritional status as a screening tool.

In patients suffering from advanced neoplastic disease, malnutrition is a common complication affecting both the survival and quality of life. In order to monitor early dietary interventions, an assessment of patients' nutritional status is essential. We assessed the nutritional status of 46 patients using two different methods: 1) an objective method of nutritional assessment and 2) the subjective global assessment (SGA) technique. It was found that 28 patients were characterized as malnourished by means of the objective method and 30 patients according to the SGA. The correlation of the results of the assessments between the two methods was high and a validation test of the SGA gave a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 83%. The most frequent symptoms affecting food intake were anorexia, early satiety, dry mouth, pain and nausea. The results show that the SGA represents an easy method for assessment of the nutritional status in such cancer patients and that it can therefore be used as a screening tool. The high incidence of malnutrition in this group of patients, and their rare use of nutrient supplements, both indicate the importance of early nutritional assessment, and nutritional intervention when appropriate.