Experiential Validation Research Articles

Scientific, professional and experiential validation of the model of preventive behaviours at work: protocol of a modified Delphi Study.

IntroductionTo offer an in-depth understanding of preventive behaviours, those complex behaviours considered as levers to foster work prevention, recent theoretical and empirical studies permitted to develop the model of preventive behaviours at work. The next step is to validate the model with researchers, professionals and workers. This article aims to describe the study protocol that will be used to validate the model of preventive behaviours at work.Methods and analysisThis Delphi Study proposes seven systematic steps to conduct a scientifically rigorous validation study based on scientific and professional experts’ opinion. A focus group to collect workers’ opinion about the model has also been included in the protocol. Thirty experts (researchers and professionals) will be selected regarding their experience (eg, at least 5 years of experience) and expertise (eg, having published at least one article as the first author in the last 3 years) towards workers’ health or organisational behaviours. Workers will be recruited to have a diversity in terms of age, gender and working conditions. Quantitative data will be analysed to calculate the percentage of experts’ agreement on four content validity indicators (ie, comprehensiveness, representativeness, relevance and clarity). Qualitative data will be examined through a thematic analysis strategy.Ethics and disseminationApproval of the research ethics board of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale Nationale has been obtained. Findings will be shared with various stakeholders inclusive of researchers, professionals and workers. Findings will be disseminated in workshops, peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

The sex parameter in estimation of total blood volume for pediatric erythrocytapheresis.

Estimation of the total blood volume (TBV) is fundamental to the control of automated red cell exchange (RCE). Error in the TBV estimate can produce outcomes that deviate from the prescribed targets, and may endanger the patient. Both the Spectra Optia and the COBE Spectra use the Nadler formulae to estimate TBV. There is a potential for large overestimates of TBV when the Nadler formula for males is applied to prepubertal boys. This study uses our large clinical experience with RCE to examine procedure outcomes when RCE in prepubertal boys is programed with the female parameter instead of male. We determined the differences between programmed and measured values for three outcomes: (a) Programmed End Hematocrit - Post spun HCT by Hemata Stat II, (b) Programmed End Hematocrit - Post CBC HCT, and (c) Predicted Post Hgb S+C - Measured Post Hgb S+C. We defined the experimental group as Male-Female, where the biological sex was male but programmed sex was female, and two control groups where programmed and biological sex were the same. Small but statistically significant differences were demonstrated between the mean programmed-to-observed deviations of these outcome measures in all but two group and subgroup comparisons; however, the absolute magnitudes of the observed differences were not clinically significant. The suggested weight cutoff to begin programming males as male is 35 kg. The study provides experiential validation that performing RCE in prepubertal boys using the female parameter is safe.

Feasibility of a small-scale hybrid dish/flat-plate solar collector system as a heat source for an absorption cooling unit

Solar cooling systems based on absorption chillers may be considered as an alternative approach to compressor systems supplied by electric power. This article presents the results of experiments conducted with a hybrid solar system integrating a concentrator, and computer simulations of a hybrid solar cooling system incorporating flat plate collectors and a concentrator. The hybrid solar cooling system was fully based on solar energy and no auxiliary system was considered. Experiential validation of the concentrator model was performed and a transient model of the installation was developed. The model of the concentrator was developed using an analytic method. The dynamic simulation of the entire system model was performed using TRNSYS software. The system was investigated for a small-scale user, consisting of a single-floor residential house. Different time bases (day, week year), concentrator and flat plate collector areas, climatic conditions and energy tariffs were considered to investigate the energy and economic performance of the system. The main results are the following: concentrator efficiency of 70%, Primary Energy Saving of 50%, optimal concentrator area per absorption chiller capacity of 1.6 m2/kW and Simple Pay Back between 8 and 23 years.

Digital Forensics: Review of Issues in Scientific Validation of Digital Evidence

Digital forensics is a vital part of almost every criminal investigation given the amount of information available and the opportunities offered by electronic data to investigate and evidence a crime. However, in criminal justice proceedings, these electronic pieces of evidence are often considered with the utmost suspicion and uncertainty, although, on occasions are justifiable. Presently, the use of scientifically unproven forensic techniques are highly criticized in legal proceedings. Nevertheless, the exceedingly distinct and dynamic characteristics of electronic data, in addition to the current legislation and privacy laws remain as challenging aspects for systematically attesting evidence in a court of law. This article presents a comprehensive study to examine the issues that are considered essential to discuss and resolve, for the proper acceptance of evidence based on scientific grounds. Moreover, the article explains the state of forensics in emerging sub-fields of digital technology such as, cloud computing, social media, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and reviewing the challenges which may complicate the process of systematic validation of electronic evidence. The study further explores various solutions previously proposed, by researchers and academics, regarding their appropriateness based on their experimental evaluation. Additionally, this article suggests open research areas, highlighting many of the issues and problems associated with the empirical evaluation of these solutions for immediate attention by researchers and practitioners. Notably, academics must react to these challenges with appropriate emphasis on methodical verification. Therefore, for this purpose, the issues in the experiential validation of practices currently available are reviewed in this study. The review also discusses the struggle involved in demonstrating the reliability and validity of these approaches with contemporary evaluation methods. Furthermore, the development of best practices, reliable tools and the formulation of formal testing methods for digital forensic techniques are highlighted which could be extremely useful and of immense value to improve the trustworthiness of electronic evidence in legal proceedings.

Design, development and experiential validation of large stroke welded disk bellows for nuclear industry

This paper presents the design, development of large stroke nested ripple type welded-disc bellows employed in the shield plug of prototype fast breeder reactor. The stroke to length ratio in this case is 0.75. Preliminary design is carried out by equations addressing significant stresses in the bellows, which are derived based on bellows response to various loading. Finite element analysis of the bellows is carried out and fatigue life of the bellows is estimated. Precipitation hardened stainless steel AM350 is selected as material of construction to ensure the bellows are operating in elastic shake down condition. The profile of the bellows and configuration of the welds are arrived by series of mockups. The weld configuration in the welded-disc bellows is not among the accepted configurations given in the codes such as ASME boiler and pressure vessel code, section-III. Hence, the design and manufacturing of the welded disc bellows are validated experimentally with required codal compliance.

Design, development and experiential validation of large stroke welded disk bellows for nuclear industry

This paper presents the design, development of large stroke nested ripple type welded-disc bellows employed in the shield plug of prototype fast breeder reactor. The stroke to length ratio in this case is 0.75. Preliminary design is carried out by equations addressing significant stresses in the bellows, which are derived based on bellows response to various loading. Finite element analysis of the bellows is carried out and fatigue life of the bellows is estimated. Precipitation hardened stainless steel AM350 is selected as material of construction to ensure the bellows are operating in elastic shake down condition. The profile of the bellows and configuration of the welds are arrived by series of mockups. The weld configuration in the welded-disc bellows is not among the accepted configurations given in the codes such as ASME boiler and pressure vessel code, section-III. Hence, the design and manufacturing of the welded disc bellows are validated experimentally with required codal compliance.

A Family Affair: Caring in Teaching and Implications for Teacher and Researcher Preparation

The purpose of this study was to explore how perceptions of remembered instances ofteacher caring in K-College impacted the motivation of a college student. Implicationsfor teacher preparation programs and educational research were then drawn from theseperceptions. The first part of the title “A Family Affair” stems from the fact that theauthors are members of the same family – Father, Mother, and Son. Both the father andmother had prior knowledge of some (not all) of the instances of caring and non-caringdescribed by their son and thus shared a privileged insider position that offered uniqueinsights while cooperative peer checking was used both during and after the interview tohelp promote the trustworthiness of findings. It was found that the degree of caringshown by teachers had a profound influence on the participant’s willingness to put fortheffort especially in those courses that were not his favorite subjects which suggests that astrong connection exists between caring and student motivation. An importantimplication of this study is that teachers and those responsible for teacher preparationprograms would benefit by being aware of the impact of caring on students’ engagementand attitude toward learning. If the ultimate purpose of educational research is tocontribute to effective teaching, then the “soft variable” of caring should be consideredan important component of researcher preparation. It is hoped that readers will find thisstudy to be transferable to the degree that it resonates with their own experience asteachers, students, and parents, and which we refer to as “experiential validity”.

JBBM at 21: Theme Reflections One Year Later, with a Design View of B-to-B Marketing Field and Closing Tribute to David T. Wilson

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this article is to acknowledge the contribution and significance of the manuscripts published in the 2015 double issue of the Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing celebrating its 21st. anniversary. A precis of each articles’ contribution is highlighted. The author explores the distinct and relevant themes that marked the orientation and positioning of the journal as the premier specialized front runner outlet in the business-to-business (B-to-B) domain and provides reflections about what is next. Finally, further recognition of David T. Wilson as founder of the JBBM, his role as educator and his teaching are remembered.Methodology/approach: A content analysis on each of the manuscripts was performed in an attempt to identify central themes, orientations, findings, and recommendations. The approach is qualitative and focused on identifying common voices from the authors that provide light to the sustainability and relevancy of the JBBM in the future. And, my reflections are enmeshed with my participant observer status as a bonafide B-to-B scholar.Findings: The JBBM has succeeded by proposing new theoretical frameworks, conceptual spaces, appropriate methodologies, and an overall rigor to a variety of themes, problems identified by the business community, international contexts, and cross functional perspectives. Our understanding of B-to-B problems, and the marketing concerns of practitioners and industry have improved but still has challenges related to value, relevancy, validity, practical implications, and usefulness to managers and industry.Research implications: As an applied field, B-to-B has borrowed theoretical frameworks and perspectives from other disciplines. It is clear that a more conceptual refinement is needed. Now is the time to organize our findings, thoughts, propositions, and observations. It may be necessary to create venues that allow for a more intense dialogue between the academic and business community. Some of these partnerships are conducted within the framework of research institutes, centers, alliances with regional and national chambers and professional associations, practitioner forums, executive training, and alliances within ecosystems networks and others. I suggest that we focus more on the “exploration” of concepts and particular organizational realities rather than on the theory testing alone. Researchers in B-to-B may require an immersion and evaluation of the situational relevancy (deep dive and thick descriptions) through an experiential validation process, interpretation, and “being there.”

Long-Term Implications of the Burgeoning Informal Labour Hiring in Indian Manufacturing Sector: A System Dynamics Analysis

The manufacturing sector in India, in the last few decades, has witnessed a burgeoning informal labour hiring. The rigidities of the labour laws, the growing global competitiveness, risk of future business downturn and the desire of taming the aggressive trade unions might have encouraged the Indian industries in adopting the path of labour informalisation. The perceived advantages of low wages and high retrenchment flexibility from informal labour hiring may be a myopic view. The deteriorating industrial relation climate in Indian industries and not exploiting full advantage of economies of scale may also be due to the increasing informal labour component in the total workforce. A system dynamics model has been developed in the paper to simulate scenarios with flexible formal:informal labour-mix ratios to analyze the long-term policy implications in the Indian manufacturing sector. Recommendations to prevent a potential disaster due to the abnormal growth in informal labour component in the manufacturing sector have also been made. The paper is likely to provide useful insights to the industry leaders and policy makers in the manufacturing sector and an optimal flexibility mix of formal–informal labour component for a healthy operation. An experiential validation of recommendations is included from an auto-component manufacturing unit.

Neuroreceptor activation by vibration-assisted tunneling.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large family of receptor proteins that sense molecular signals on the exterior of a cell and activate signal transduction pathways within the cell. Modeling how an agonist activates such a receptor is fundamental for an understanding of a wide variety of physiological processes and it is of tremendous value for pharmacology and drug design. Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) has been proposed as a model for the mechanism by which olfactory GPCRs are activated by a bound agonist. We apply this hyothesis to GPCRs within the mammalian nervous system using quantum chemical modeling. We found that non-endogenous agonists of the serotonin receptor share a particular IET spectral aspect both amongst each other and with the serotonin molecule: a peak whose intensity scales with the known agonist potencies. We propose an experiential validation of this model by utilizing lysergic acid dimethylamide (DAM-57), an ergot derivative, and its deuterated isotopologues; we also provide theoretical predictions for comparison to experiment. If validated our theory may provide new avenues for guided drug design and elevate methods of in silico potency/activity prediction.

How affiliates of an Australian FPMT centre come to accept the concepts of karma, rebirth and merit-making

The karma-rebirth doctrine is one of the core doctrines of the Buddhist worldview. Some forms of Western Buddhism emphasize doctrinal study and meditation practice over traditional Buddhist elements that have their foundation in the karma-rebirth doctrine, such as merit-making practices and other forms of ritual. Conversely, the worldwide Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) encourages its affiliates to perform traditional ritual such as chanting and pujas to make merit for oneself and others, in addition to attending teachings and developing a regular meditation practice. During their exploration of the FPMT's activities, participants undergo a process of experimental validation of the teachings and practices, in which they come to accept doctrinal notions in one of two ways: the notion's capacity to validate and give meaning to personal experience, or to lend conceptual support to the newly acquired framework of ideas. Utilizing data obtained from fieldwork undertaken between 2003 and 2006 at Vajrayana Institute (VI), an FPMT centre in Sydney, Australia, I illustrate the way in which the karma-rebirth doctrine supports those aspects of the belief-system more capable of experiential validation through their capacity to frame and give meaning to personal experience. The acceptance of notions such as karma, rebirth and merit-making involves an interpretive shift from previously held notions about cause and effect and the nature of this-worldly existence, toward a Buddhist appreciation of these concepts.

Experiential Validity

After giving a short introduction to Implicit Religion, this paper points out mutual benefits from linking psychology to the study of Implicit Religion. By employing accumulated knowledge of human cognition, behaviour and emotion, and making use of the apparatus of validated methodology, psychology can facilitate access to individual perceptions of the sacred and explore their consequences on attitudes, action, and personal well-being.
 Brief insights into the psychological research lines that are present in the Issue at hand are provided. Recent developments in research on meaning in life, selftranscendence, spirituality, and sanctification are described. Fruitful links to the study of Implicit Religion are proposed, suggesting further research on topics such as effects of implicit religiosity on personal, interpersonal, institutional and societal levels; the functioning of implicit-religious meaning systems in stressful circumstances of people’s lives; the distinction of horizontal and vertical selftranscendence, and overlaps in the discourses of spirituality and Implicit Religion.

Entheogens in the Study of Religious Experiences: Current Status*

This article addresses the potential significance of archetypal and mystical experiences sometimes reported when entheogens are employed in supportive, legal research contexts. This area of research, which has been difficult to pursue in recent decades due to Federal legislation and concerns about drug-abuse, is presented as a frontier in the psychology of religious experience that could prove to have profound implications for advancing our understanding of spiritual dimensions of consciousness. Consideration is given to how the action of entheogens may be understood, the question of experiential validity, the apparent universality of both archetypal and mystical experiences, and initial theological reflections.

Why do we still call them "paradoxes"?

The fact that therapists label some events "paradoxical" may suggest that our current beliefs or theories are limited in their ability to adequately account for those phenomena. It is argued that our underlying belief in objectivity surrounds therapeutic "paradoxes" with a persistently paradoxical aura, and leads to confusion in our understanding of a variety of phenomena. Maturana's ideas regarding structure determinism, instructive interaction, and phenomenal domains are used to suggest an answer to these difficulties. It is claimed that the problematic status of many theoretical concepts (for example, communication, information, resistance, homeostasis, and pathology) is revealing of something quite important--that the experiential validity of instructive interaction repeatedly leads us into implicitly or explicitly employing instructive interaction in a domain where it can never be valid: the domain of theory and explanation.

Critical period for the development and maintenance of binaural interaction

A determination of the critical period for the development and maintenance of binaural interaction was made by unit recording at the inferior colliculus of neonatal and sound deprived rats. Collicular units are activated by clicks delivered to the contralateral ear. An indication of binaural interaction in normal adult rats is the suppression of this activity by ipsilateral clicks that are of equal or greater intensity. Such binaural interaction was evident in the unit activity of young rats during the first week after the onset of hearing. Monaural deprivation beginning at 10 days after birth (DAB) and continued for three to five months abolished binaural interaction. The same duration of deprivation had much less effect if begun at 30 days and no effect if initiated at 60 days. The result indicate that the essential connections for binaural interaction are genetically predetermined and present at the onset of hearing at 10 DAB. The critical period for experiential validation of binaural interaction begins at the onset of hearing and extends up to 60 DAB. These conclusions should be considered specific to the rat. [Work supported by NIH Grant NS-13052.]