Inconsistent Terminology Research Articles

Standardization in Enterprise Inter- and Intraorganizational Integration

The worldwide collaboration and cooperation of enterprises of all sizes have increased the need for interoperability standards, especially for businesses in global environments. Such standards are concerned with the communication aspects of information and communication technology (ICT), such as protocols, safety, and security, as well as the syntax and semantics of the communication content. Sender and receiver must be able to trust both the communication and the validity of its content. Both parties have to have the same understanding of the meaning of the exchanged information. Unfortunately, the standards are developed independently by different standards organizations using incompatible and inconsistent terminology, thereby hampering significantly the deployment of existing standards and the development of still missing ones. The paper presents existing standards in the area of enterprise inter- and intraorganizational integration and identifies shortcomings in the current standards, especially problems in the area of terminology.

Meaning and purpose: A conceptual model for speech pathology terminology

Within speech pathology, one term is sometimes used to cover a range of different constructs, or sometimes several terms refer to one construct. This leads to the high level of inconsistency which characterizes our professional terminology. The speech pathology profession is impeded on several fronts due to this inconsistent terminology. There is an urgent need to develop more appropriate and more consistent terminology to allow the profession to advance in both professional and public forums. This article aims to initiate a debate about how to improve the current situation by exploring the impact of inconsistency on the profession and its clients, and highlighting some of the factors contributing to inconsistency. These factors are the reason the profession has not developed universal and straightforward terminology. Work on improving consistency in speech pathology terminology must first focus on understanding, resolving or minimizing the impact of these underlying factors. This article then proposes the development of a conceptual model based on the purposes of terminology. Such a conceptual model could be developed if the profession investigated the various purposes of terminology, and developed a framework which included definitions and parameters of these purposes, and only then looked at examples of appropriate terms to meet these purposes. A proposal for a conceptual model is presented as a provocation to the profession.

E-BOOKS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: AN INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW

This paper provides a broad international overview of e-books in academic libraries. The inconsistent terminology relating to e-books is noted in the first section and a brief history of e-books and some current definitions are given. The stakeholders within the e-book industry are described, with details of some of the services offered. For users and staff in library and information services, e-books can provide a variety of advantages as well as challenges, and these are outlined for those in academic libraries. Findings from various studies on e-books are presented and some of the issues involved in managing e-books in academic libraries are described. Finally an overview is presented of the e-Books Working Group in the United Kingdom. The paper is illustrated with a number of screenshots related to e-books in academic libraries in various parts of the world.

Hashimoto's encephalopathy: myth or reality? An endocrinologist's perspective

Since the first description of a case of episodic encephalopathy associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 1966, many cases of corticosteroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with positive antithyroid antibodies, clinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or spontaneous autoimmune thyroid failure have been reported. These patients have neurologic manifestations of encephalopathy unrelated to other known causes. The condition has thus been termed 'Hashimoto's encephalopathy'. The literature shows no proven association between thyroid disease and the neurologic process. Although the association of a common endocrinologic condition and a rare neurologic disease may occur by chance, this type of encephalopathy probably has an autoimmune nature and thus is more likely to occur in the background of another autoimmune condition such as autoimmune thyroid disease. Until the pathogenesis of these coincident conditions is better defined, the term 'corticosteroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis' is more accurate and descriptive than Hashimoto's encephalopathy. Advances in the field may clarify this seemingly inconsistent terminology.

Complexity Theory as a Practical Management Tool: A Critical Evaluation

Complexity theory is receiving increasing attention in both academic and popular literature as a potential management tool. As momentum gathers surrounding its popularity in practical management, complexity theory is poised to become a management 'fad', and potentially an influential paradigm for the future. However, much of the literature concerning complexity theory contains inconsistent terminology and a lack of operationally empirical definitions. This has made it difficult for researchers to specify empirical questions in order to frame complexity research, and for practitioners to acquire the key principles for implementation. It has also opened a Pandora's Box of commentaries which proclaim that complexity theory is a new management panacea. This paper provides a critical account of the utility of complexity theory as a management tool, and concludes that while a number of metaphors and principles might suggest useful ways of thinking about management, the concept is neither new nor a panacea, and practitioners are urged toward caution.

Outcome Prediction Following Sympathetic Block for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Evidence for the efficacy of sympathetic blocks as either diagnostic or therapeutic tools in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) remains anecdotal. Systematic evaluation has been confounded by inconsistent terminology, difficulties in objectively quantifying physical findings, and failure to control for co-morbid psychological factors. This study examines the relative contribution of physical and psychometric features as prospective predictors of outcome following sympathetic block in the treatment of CRPS. Twenty patients with CRPS characterized by mechanical allodynia and vasomotor/sudomotor disturbance were treated with sympathetic blocks. Long-term outcome was assessed at > 6 months following the last treatment using a mailed questionnaire. Pain relief and functional improvement were negatively influenced by anxiety (P < 0.001). When the improvement in the initial visual analog for pain (VAS) was 50% or greater following "diagnostic" sympathetic block, the percent improvement was highly correlated with improvement at long-term follow-up (P < 0.001). Higher "sensitivity" scores on the Neuropathic Pain Scale (P < 0.001), C fiber allodynia (P < 0.01) and Adelta-fiber allodynia (P < 0.01) on quantitative sensory testing, and pretreatment reported dynamic mechanical allodynia (P < 0.02) all predicted positive response to initial sympathetic block. While sympathetic blocks can be helpful in the reduction of mechanical allodynia, and thus the facilitation of physical and occupational therapy, ultimate response to a regime that includes medications is not predicted by sympathetic block alone.

Receptor-activated calcium entry channels--who does what, and when?

The recent Science STKE E-Conference on Defining Calcium Entry Signals highlighted many of the outstanding problems and questions regarding the nature and regulation of the receptor-activated entry of Ca2+, particularly as it relates to Ca2+ signaling in nonexcitable cells. Frequently, these stem from the current lack of any clear candidates for the molecular identity of many of the major conductances involved. Moreover, there is considerable confusion in the field, largely as a result of the use of sometimes inappropriate or imprecise methodologies and inconsistent terminology. Nevertheless, much useful information is beginning to be revealed about the biophysical characterization of the fundamental properties of the channels involved and, at least in some cases, the specific conditions under which they are active. As a result, it is becoming clear that cells often contain various Ca2+ entry channels in addition to the ubiquitous store-operated, or capacitative, channels. These different channels are activated in distinct ways and operate under different conditions of stimulation.

Using the Canadian ITS architecture for evaluating the safety benefits of intelligent transportation systems

The benefits of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are indirectly represented by the annual world market for ITS, which according to ITS Canada (2002) will be $90 billion CAN by 2011. Improved safety is often cited as the top goal of implementing ITS. Despite the magnitude of these investments and their underlying goal to improve transportation safety, there are deficiencies in the quantity and quality of reported ITS safety benefits. Many of the benefits reported to date suffer from poor data, lack of an evaluation framework, and inconsistent terminology used to attribute benefits to ITS application areas. This paper explores these issues, while attempting to address one of them, namely the lack of an evaluation framework for assessing the safety benefits of ITS. Accordingly, a unique framework is developed based on the Canadian ITS architecture. The framework includes the identification of evaluation metrics that are mapped to the market packages in the Canadian ITS architecture and correlated with each other to capture the "cause" and "effect" flow of benefits. This framework will benefit future ITS safety evaluations by providing a structure for undertaking evaluations using terminology consistent with the Canadian ITS architecture.Key words: intelligent transportation systems, ITS architecture, safety benefits, safety evaluation.

Analysis of the pattern of maxillofacial fractures in Kaduna, Nigeria

There are considerable differences in the reported worldwide pattern of maxillofacial fractures. In the more developed countries of Europe, violence followed by road crashes are the predominant causes while in the developing world the causative factors are reversed with most being the result of road crashes. Interestingly, recent data indicated a 3:1 male:female ratio worldwide. Between 1991 and 2000, 443 cases of maxillofacial fractures were seen at the Maxillofacial Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. Road crashes were responsible for 246 cases (56%) followed by falls , 24% ( n=108). In a previous report from this centre in 1980, 241 fractures were seen each year, so our lower rate of 44 cases a year is because the number of centres for the treatment of such injuries in Nigeria has increased. There has also been a fourfold increase in the number of women with facial fractures in this largely Moslem population, which reflects their greater exposure during the past 20 years. More patients were seen with mandibular than middle-third fractures, because more of the latter died. This shows that while more centres for treatment are available for patients with maxillofacial trauma, the lack of enforcement of legislation on the use of seat belts, drunken driving and inadequate emergency medical care have continued to cause considerable mortality and morbidity from these injuries in Nigeria. It is also difficult to compare data among centres because of inconsistent terminology.

Defining thought broadcast. Semi-structured literature review.

The symptom of thought broadcast may have diagnostic significance but its definition varies. To examine multiple definitions of thought broadcast in different texts, to synthesise their common features and to undertake local and national surveys of psychiatrists to determine which definitions they endorse. A semi-structured literature review of electronic databases, supplemented by a manual search of psychiatric textbooks, conceptual analyses and postal surveys of clinicians in North Trent (58 trainees and 70 consultants) and throughout the UK (49 professors of general adult psychiatry). Thought broadcast is susceptible to multiple definitions: three exemplars were identified in the literature, each endorsed by influential authors. Among those psychiatrists responding to the survey (approximately 59%), some endorsed each definition of thought broadcast. Thought broadcast means different things to different people. Inconsistent terminology might impair communication in clinical and research contexts.

Critical History of the Acculturation Psychology of Assimilation, Separation, Integration, and Marginalization

The psychology of intercultural adaptation was first discussed by Plato. Many modern enculturation theories claim that ethnic minorities (including aboriginal natives, immigrants, refugees, and sojourners) can favor either the dominant culture, or their own minority culture, or both, or neither. Between 1918 and 1984, 68 such theories showed varied and inconsistent terminology, poor citation of earlier research, conflicting and poorly tested predictions of acculturative stress, and lack of logic, for example, 2 cultures in contact logically allow 16 types of acculturation, not just 4. Logic explains why assimilation = negative chauvinism = marginality, why measures of incompatible acculturative attitudes can be positively correlated, and why bicultural integration and marginalisation are confounded constructs. There is no robust evidence that biculturalism is most adaptive.

Arthrogryposis and amyoplasia.

Arthrogryposis (multiple congenital joint contractures) is an uncommon problem. Because there are many causes, correct diagnosis is important to predict the natural history and determine appropriate treatment. Inconsistent terminology has caused confusion about both diagnosis and treatment. Amyoplasia, the most common type of arthrogryposis, is characterized by quadrimelic involvement and replacement of skeletal muscle by dense fibrous tissue and fat. Early physical therapy and splinting may improve contractures, but surgical intervention is often necessary. Aggressive soft-tissue releases in addition to casting may improve joint position. In more severe contractures, osseous surgery also may be needed. Deformity recurrence is common, particularly in skeletally immature patients.

Minireview: genomic organization of the human ERalpha gene promoter region.

The ERalpha gene has been intensively studied for more than a decade. During this long time, multiple promoters used in ERalpha expression have been discovered in several species. Although an already large body of literature describing various aspects of the regulation of ERalpha expression and utilization of different promoters is constantly growing, the inconsistent terminology used by individual authors makes the interpretation and comparison of data very difficult. Furthermore, completion of the human genome project now allows all known human ERalpha promoters to be placed on a physical map. This review describes promoters used in the generation of ERalpha transcripts in human and in other species and suggests a consistent nomenclature. The possible role of multiple promoters in the differential expression of ERalpha in tissues and during development is also discussed.

Pruning Medial Axes

The medial axis is an attractive shape feature; however, its high sensitivity to boundary noise hinders its use in many applications. In order to overcome the sensitivity problem some regularization has to be performed. Pruning is a family of medial axis regularization processes, incorporated in most skeletonization and thinning algorithms. Pruning algorithms usually appear in a variety of application-dependent formulations. Inconsistent terminology used until now prevented analysis and comparison of the various pruning methods. Indeed many seemingly different algorithms are in fact equivalent. In this paper we suggest the rate pruning paradigm as a standard for pruning methods. The proposed paradigm is a framework in which it is easy to analyze, compare, and tailor new pruning methods. We analyze existing pruning methods, propose two new methods, and compare the methods via a model-based analysis. The theoretical analysis is supported by simulation results of the various pruning methods.

Coming to terms with the terms of risk.

Terms such as risk, risk factors, and especially the term cause are inconsistently and imprecisely used, fostering scientific miscommunication and misleading research and policy. Clarifying such terms is the essential first step. We define risk and a risk factor (protective factor) and their potency, set out the conceptual basis of the methods by which risk factors are identified and potency demonstrated, and propose criteria for establishing the status of a risk factor as a fixed or variable marker or a causal risk factor. All definitions are based on the state of scientific knowledge (empirical documentation), rather than on hypotheses, speculations, or beliefs. We discuss common approaches and pitfalls and give a psychiatric research example. Imprecise reports can impede the search for understanding the cause and course of any disease and also may be a basis of inadequate clinical or policy decision-making. The issues in risk research are much too important to tolerate less than precise terminology or the less than rigorous research reporting that results from imprecise and inconsistent terminology.

Studies of ethical conflicts by nursing practice settings or roles.

This article summarizes the body of research about ethical conflicts described by nurses in various fields of practice and recommends direction for the use and extension of this information. Twenty-three studies that fit criteria for inclusion were located. As a group, studies use inconsistent terminology, pay little attention to measurement characteristics of the instruments used, and do not use explanatory theory about how and why ethical conflicts develop or are experienced. Several studies of nurses practicing in community and home care settings, in intensive care units, and in administrative roles show some common areas of ethical conflict. Studies of ethical conflicts can be used as a basis for improving practice.

Visual and textual consistency checking tools for graphical user interfaces

Designing user interfaces with consistent visual and textual properties is difficult. To demonstrate the harmful effects of inconsistency, we conducted an experiment with 60 subjects. Inconsistent interface terminology slowed user performance by 10 to 25 percent. Unfortunately, contemporary software tools provide only modest support for consistency control. Therefore, we developed SHERLOCK, a family of consistency analysis tools, which evaluates visual and textual properties of user interfaces. It provides graphical analysis tools such as a dialog box summary table that presents a compact overview of visual properties of all dialog boxes. SHERLOCK provides terminology analysis tools including an interface concordance, an interface spellchecker, and terminology baskets to check for inconsistent use of familiar groups of terms. Button analysis tools include a button concordance and a button layout table to detect variant capitalization, distinct typefaces, distinct colors, variant button sizes, and inconsistent button placements. We describe the design, software architecture, and the use of SHERLOCK. We tested SHERLOCK with four commercial prototypes. The outputs, analysis, and feedback from designers of the applications are presented.

Quantifying pulmonary oxygen transfer deficits in critically ill patients.

The clinical picture describing oxygen transfer deficits in literature is complicated by inconsistent terminology, and a weak perception of the influence total errors of measured and estimated values have on clinical decision-making. Clinical and analytical terminology: Terms like hypoxia, hypoxaemia and tissue hypoxia in clinical literature are often used synonymously. In present terminology, arterial hypoxia (pO2(a)) is considered to be based on measurements of oxygen tension in arterial blood. On the other hand, arterial hypoxaemia (ctO2(a)) is considered to be based on measurements of both pO2, total haemoglobin (ctHb), saturation (sO2), carboxyhaemoglobin (FCOHb), and methaemoglobin (FMetHb). Arterial hypoxia is simply a low oxygen tension in arterial blood. Arterial hypoxaemia is thus simply a low oxygen concentration in arterial blood. Pulmonary indices: The tension-based indices. At the bedside, assessment of the oxygen uptake in the lungs has been evaluated by calculating indices like pO2(a)/FO2(I),pO2(A-a),pO2(a/A) and the respiratory index (RI = pO2(A-a)/pO2(a)). The different oxygen tension-based indices all require the calculation of the alveolar oxygen tension from the alveolar equation. These calculations involve many assumptions (exact analytical measurements of the respiratory quotient (RQ), FO2(I), etc.) to be fulfilled, and might include clinically unacceptable errors. The concentration-based index (FShunt). Considering a fixed arterio-mixed venous oxygen difference (3-5 mL/dL), this index is by some researchers indicated to be superior to the oxygen tension-based (the correlation coefficient to the true measured shunt being 0.94 for the FShunt compared to 0.72 for the best tension-based (RI = pO2(A-a)/pO2(a))). However, the scatter around the line is considerable and this index seems to fail, as well as the tension-based in the many cases where the assumed difference is not equal to the assumed (3-5 mL/dL). The intrapulmonary shunt: The best available means of outlining the extent to which the pulmonary system contributes to hypoxic hypoxaemia, is to calculate the intrapulmonary shunt. It reflects the degree to which the lung deviates from ideal as an oxygenator of pulmonary blood. Exact calculation of the intrapulmonary shunt requires measurements of oxygen concentration in both arterial and mixed-venous blood samples. Calculation of the intrapulmonary shunt at 100% inspired oxygen represents the term (Qs/Qt). Venous admixture or the physiologic shunt (Qsp/Qt) represents measurements of the intrapulmonary shunt at less than 100% inspired oxygen. Interpretative guidelines for (Qsp/Qt) in critically ill patients having a pulmonary catheter are: A calculated shunt less than 10% is clinically compatible with normal. A shunt of 10-19% seldom would require significant support. A calculated shunt of 20-29% may be life threatening in a patient with limited cardiovascular function. A calculated shunt greater than 30% usually requires significant cardiopulmonary support. The necessity of sampling mixed-venous blood seems to be the most limiting factor for a widespread clinical use of shunt calculations.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING: DIMENSIONS FOR A THEORY

Organizational learning (OL) is receiving increasing attention from researchers and practitioners alike. In fact, some have suggested that the only sustainable competitive advantage is a firm's ability to learn faster than its competitors. In spite of OL's promise, the field has been slow to evolve. The primary impediments to the development of OL theory are that inconsistent terminology is used for comparable concepts and that different definitions are used to describe the phenomenon. Furthermore, many theorists have neglected to make explicit their underlying assumptions about the phenomenon. Employing an inductive approach, this review surfaces the implicit and explicit assumptions of OL researchers, identifying three key dimensions that differentiate perspectives: (1) unit of analysis—individual, group, organizational, and inter organizational; (2) cognitive/behavioral emphasis; and (3) the learning‐performance relationship.

The selection and design of marine protected areas: Australia as a case study

Recently there has been increased interest in the use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as tools for the conservation of marine habitats and species. This has resulted in the declaration of many MPAs around the world. Despite this activity there have been few tests of hypotheses about the design criteria for selection and management of these areas, resulting in a haphazard and ad hoc selection of protected areas, with conflicting and inconsistent terminology and objectives. The application of appropriately tested scientific information to the design of MPAs will increase the likelihood of success in the future. To 1st January 1992, 267 MPAs had been declared in Australia, covering a total area of ca 400 019 km2. The history of their declaration has been sporadic and uneven. Conflicts over State and Federal legislation and, within states, conflicts over jurisdiction among agencies caused by overlapping responsibilities, have at times slowed the declaration of MPAs. In this paper, the history of MPAs in Australia is used as a case study to discuss the problems, both biological and administrative, of declaring MPAs.