Preliminary Definition Research Articles

A new definition about the relationship of intercellular fluid in the brain with the mandibular and parotid lymph nodes.

This study was carried out to reveal the relationship of the brain with both the mandibular lymph node (MLN) and parotid lymph node (PLN) by the hyperspectral fluorescence imaging techniques of Qdot 800 (QD) nanoparticles using in vivo. This relationship of the brain with both lymph nodes offers the preliminary morphological definition of lymphatic drainage. QD was injected into the left parietal brain lobe of each rat at a depth of 2.50 mm. In 65% of the rats that were imaged in vivo, signals were received first from the right MLN and PLN, and then from the left MLN and PLN. In contrast, in two female rats, the first signal was received from the right PLN. There was no difference between the female and male rats overall. The most noteworthy finding of this study was that the tracer injected into the left parietal lobe reached the right mandibular and parotid lymph nodules earlier. This result indicates a different and unknown pathway in the brain that communicates with the lymph nodes. Moreover, this study shows that these lymph nodes pathways can be used in the treatment of diseases such as brain trauma, cerebral edema, and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

EXPLORING BIM AND NLP APPLICATIONS: A SCIENTOMETRIC APPROACH

In AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Owner-operated) industry information are mainly defined and exchanged in natural language through textual files and documents. On the contrary, a Building Information Modeling (BIM) approach requires machine processable data and information. Natural Language Processing (NLP) allows to process textual information into structured format. About BIM in AECO industry, and NLP in different sectors, several literature reviews have been conducted. However, none of them highlighted the possible connections between the two topics. This study provides a scientometric analysis aiming to investigate possible combined applications of BIM and NLP. A quantitative literature review approach is employed, using data visualization and science mapping applied on bibliometric meta-data. The performed analysis uncovered possible directions for further research on NLP and BIM combined applications in AECO sector. Most active authors, key research patterns, and institutional affiliations are identified. The main applications areas of a combined NLP and BIM approach in AECO are: Information Retrieval and Information Enrichment of BIM models, Automatic Compliance Checking, and Safety and Risk Management. The keywords pattern analysis highlighted the main tools which allows to link Semantic BIM and NLP methods and technologies, i.e. Ontology and Machine Learning algorithms. The scientometric analysis also reveals a gap related to the Preliminary design and Requirement definition phases, highlighting a possible research area not covered by the Academia as of now.

Social workers’ achievement motivation and their readiness to change

This article discusses the relationship between social workers’ achievement motivation and their readiness to make life changes. A preliminary definition of the analysed categories and their significance in the performance of social work provided a basis for the analysis of the results of own research. The method of diagnostic survey was used. The levels of the readiness to change in global terms and in terms of the characteristics that reflect the complexity of the phenomenon were determined using The Change-Readiness Questionnaire by R. Kriegel and D. Brandt in the Polish adaptation by Paszkowska-Rogacz. The levels of social workers’ achievement motivation were analysed using the Achievement Motivation Questionnaire by M. Widerszal-Bazyl. The results of the research presented in the article revealed the correlation between the level of the subjects’ achievement motivation and the level of readiness to change. Namely, the higher the social workers’ level of aspiration for success, the higher their openness to change. Significant correlation between the level of achievement motivation and the level of adventurousness and adaptability were also observed. Those results show that the development of achievement motivation may be beneficial for minimising resistance to change, especially in respect of confidence defined as boldness and flexibility, the latter being understood as ease of adapting to changing environmental requirements and resilience, thanks to which people are not overcome by adversities, but rather learn from their mistakes.

A model-based design methodology for flight control systems: Global 7500 pitch control case study

This article introduces an original model-based design methodology addressing a high-performance aircraft design challenge: conflicting performance requirements. The case study of the Global 7500 elevator actuation system also provides in-depth insight into the complex design process of today’s fly-by-wire flight control systems. The methodology presented here redefines the aircraft manufacturer’s involvement in the design process of the systems, implementing analysis and iteration capabilities early in system development. To this end, it introduces a novel modeling approach for analyzing loaded rate requirements by simulating closed-loop performance with a generic nonlinear second-order state filter, including the main performance limitations without requiring a preliminary design definition. In this way, it provides means to mature the system requirements and addresses requirement conflicts upfront. Then, a simulation-based preliminary sizing and performance assessment validates the candidate design concept. It also secures the preliminary design phase by implementing advanced design uncertainties and involving interfacing systems and disciplines early in the process. The redefined methodology identified directly that the problem’s root cause was a conflict between stability and control and flutter protection requirements. It also indicated that the first sizing driver is the response time required under a specific failure case. These findings lead to an optimal elevator actuator design compliant with matured performance requirements. Thus, the methodology resolved a design challenge blocking the Global 7500 aircraft development and prevented redesign occurrences later during the detailed design phase. In this way, it directly contributed to the successful development of the Global 7500 and its optimal operational performance. This methodology applies to future aircraft design challenges, and the technical insight provides valuable lessons learned for high-performance T-tail business jets.

Failure Prognosis and Applications—A Survey of Recent Literature

Fault diagnosis and prognosis are some of the most crucial functionalities in complex and safety-critical engineering systems, and particularly fault diagnosis, has been a subject of intensive research in the past four decades. Such capabilities allow for detection and isolation of early developing faults as well as prediction of fault propagation, which can allow for preventive maintenance, or even serve as a countermeasure to the possibility of catastrophic incidence as a result of a failure. Following a short preliminary overview and definitions, this article provides a survey of recent research on fault prognosis. Additionally, we report on some of the significant application domains where prognosis techniques are employed. Finally, some potential directions for future research are outlined.

Comparative analyses of judicial element with a norms of welfare state. Concepcion

The prevailing premise, and at the same time, the basis for the creation of a state with its inherent rights, shows and, above all, indicates the existence of a civil society. The creation of such a society in our country is and remains the basic idea and goal of transformation and the introduction of modernized reforms in Kazakhstan. In order to consider and try to reveal the concepts of the relationship between the legal state and the civil society, there is an acute and extreme need for a preliminary analysis and definition of the proposed concepts. That is, it is necessary to define these concepts. In the Kazakh legal science and literature. It is often defined that a legal entity, namely a state – is a state in which the rule of law is practically determined, a state in which power is based on law, is limited by it and is implemented through it. Our attention is drawn to all the distinctive and at the same time significant factors that characterize exactly and only the state with the preservation of all norms and rights. In the current situation, the Kazakh society, namely the state with the preservation of all rights, passes the stage of the most active and at the same time steadily and actively developing establishment. The basis for its comprehensive growth was precisely the fact that the society is based and focused on the rule of law and the law, on the preservation and revival of the basic values of people and citizens of the world. Key words: Social state, Constitution, welfare of the population, civil society, Macroeconomics, citizens ‘ rights, democracy, social norms, social protection.

POS1323 SACROILIAC JOINT MRI ABNORMALITIES IN JUVENILE SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: AN UPDATE OF DEFINITIONS AND SCORING OF THE OMERACT JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS MRI SCORE

Background:Preliminary definitions for SIJ lesions in the OMERACT Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging score has been reported1. Investigators identified the need to revise the JAMRIS-SIJ item definitions.Objectives:To update the JAMRIS-SIJ definitions and scoring method.Methods:The OMERACT JAMRI working group was convened to discuss the performance of the score in a reliability exercise using 30 patients. Twenty investigators (12 radiologists, 8 rheumatologists) decided which definitions and scoring methods to be revised, retained or added.Results:The revised JAMRI-SIJ is in the Table 1.Table 1.Revised OMERACT JAMRIS-SIJ.ComponentDefinitionSegmentation/sliceScore range/sliceBone Marrow Edema (BME)An ill-defined area of high bone marrow signal intensity within the subchondral bone in the ilium or sacrum on fluid sensitive images4 quadrants/SIJ0-8BME IntensityPresence of hyperintensity of the marrow on fluid sensitive images using the signal of the presacral veins or cerebrospinal fluid as reference1 score/SIJ0-2BME DepthContinuing increased signal on fluid sensitive images of depth ≥ 5mm/ ≥ 1cm from the articular surface using the signal of the presacral veins or cerebrospinal fluid as reference1 score/SIJ0-2OsteitisAn ill-defined area of high bone marrow signal intensity within the subchondral bone in the ilium or sacrum on contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences4 quadrants/SIJ0-8CapsulitisIncreased signal on fluid sensitive or contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences involving the superior portion of the SIJ capsulesuperior halves/SIJ0-2Joint space fluidHigh signal intensity equivalent to the CSF on fluid sensitive sequences within the joint space of the cartilaginous portion of the SIJhalves/SIJ0-4Joint space enhancementIncreased signal intensity on contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences within the joint space of the cartilaginous portion of the SIJhalves/SIJ0-4Inflammation in erosion cavityIncreased signal intensity on fluid sensitive or contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences in an erosion cavity of the cartilaginous portion of the SIJhalves/SIJ0-4EnthesitisIncreased signal intensity in bone marrow and/or adjacent soft tissue on fluid sensitive or contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences at sites where ligaments and tendons attach to a bone excluding retroarticular enthesitisScore per case0-1Damage DomainSclerosisA substantially wider than normal area of very low bone marrow signal intensity within the subchondral bone in the ilium or sacrum on a non-fat suppressed sequence, preferably a non-fat suppressed T1 weighted sequence. This feature must also be present on all other sequences, as available4 quadrants/SIJ0-8ErosionA focal loss of the low signal of cortical bone at the osteochondral interface and adjacent marrow matrix on T1 weighted images4 quadrants/SIJ0-8Fat metaplasia lesionHomogeneous increased signal intensity within the subchondral bone marrow on T1weighted images4 quadrants/SIJ0-8BackfillA high signal on non-contrast enhanced T1 weighted sequences in a typical location for an erosion, with signal intensity greater than normal bone marrow, clearly demarcated from adjacent bone marrow by an irregular band of low signal reflecting sclerosis at the border of the original erosionhalves/SIJ0-4AnkylosisPresence of signal equivalent to regional bone marrow continuously bridging a portion of the joint space between the iliac and sacral boneshalves/SIJ0-4Statement of overarching consideration for all definitions: “[…] in comparison to physiological changes normally seen on MRI examinations of age- and sex-matched children, and visible in 2 planes wherever available.”Conclusion:Revised JAMRIS-SIJ has been developed. Validation steps are underway.

Specifying who delivers behaviour change interventions: development of an Intervention Source Ontology.

Background: Identifying how behaviour change interventions are delivered, including by whom, is key to understanding intervention effectiveness. However, information about who delivers interventions is reported inconsistently in intervention evaluations, limiting communication and knowledge accumulation. This paper reports a method for consistent reporting: The Intervention Source Ontology. This forms one part of the Behaviour Change Intervention Ontology, which aims to cover all aspects of behaviour change interventions . Methods: The Intervention Source Ontology was developed following methods for ontology development and maintenance used in the Human Behaviour-Change Project, with seven key steps: 1) define the scope of the ontology, 2) identify key entities and develop their preliminary definitions by reviewing existing classification systems (top-down) and reviewing 100 behaviour change intervention reports (bottom-up), 3) refine the ontology by piloting the preliminary ontology on 100 reports, 4) stakeholder review by 34 behavioural science and public health experts, 5) inter-rater reliability testing of annotating intervention reports using the ontology, 6) specify ontological relationships between entities and 7) disseminate and maintain the Intervention Source Ontology. Results: The Intervention Source Ontology consists of 140 entities. Key areas of the ontology include Occupational Role of Source, Relatedness between Person Source and the Target Population, Sociodemographic attributes and Expertise. Inter-rater reliability was found to be 0.60 for those familiar with the ontology and 0.59 for those unfamiliar with it, levels of agreement considered 'acceptable'. Conclusions: Information about who delivers behaviour change interventions can be reliably specified using the Intervention Source Ontology. For human-delivered interventions, the ontology can be used to classify source characteristics in existing behaviour change reports and enable clearer specification of intervention sources in reporting.

Theorising survivorship after intensive care: A systematic review of patient and family experiences.

This systematic literature review explores and maps what we know about survivorship to understand how survivorship can be theoretically defined. Survivorship of critical illness has been identified as a challenge for the 21st Century. Whilst the use of the term 'survivorship' is now common in critical care, it has been borrowed from the cancer literature where the discourse on what survivorship means in a cancer context is ongoing and remains largely descriptive. In the absence of a theoretical understanding, the term 'survivorship' is often used in critical illness in a generic way, limiting our understanding of what survivorship is. The current COVID-19 pandemic adds to an urgency of understanding what intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship might mean, given the emerging long-term consequences of this patient cohort. We set out to explore how survivorship after critical illness is being conceptualised and what the implications might be for clinical practice and research. Integrated systematic literature review. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. PRISMA guidelines were followed and a PRISMA checklist for reporting systematic reviews completed. The three main themes around which the reviewed studies were organised are: (a) healthcare system; (b) ICU survivors' families; and (c) ICU survivor's identity. These three themes feed into an overarching core theme of 'ICU Survivorship Experiences'. These themes map our current knowledge of what happens when a patient survives a critical illness and where we are in understanding ICU survivorship. We mapped in this systematic review the different pieces of the jigsaw that emerge following critical illness to understand and see the bigger picture of what happens after patients survive critical illness. It is evident that existing research has mapped these connections, but what we have not managed to do yet is defining what survivorship is theoretically. We offer a preliminary definition of survivorship as a process but are aware that this definition needs to be developed further with patients and families.

Operationalizing and Testing the Concept of a Physical Activity Desert

The prevalence of childhood obesity is higher in economically and socially deprived areas. Higher levels of physical activity reduce the risk of excessive weight gain in youth, and research has focused on environmental factors associated with children's physical activity, though the term "physical activity desert" has not come into wide use. This exploratory study operationalized the term "physical activity desert" and tested the hypothesis that children living in physical activity deserts would be less physically active than children who do not. A cross-sectional study design was applied with 992 fifth-grade students who had provided objectively measured physical activity data. Five of 12 possible elements of the built environment were selected as descriptors of physical activity deserts, including no commercial facilities, no parks, low play spaces, no cohesion, and the presence of incivilities. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that only the absence of parks was associated with less physical activity in children. Children living in a "no park" zone were less active than their counterparts who lived near a park. This study contributes preliminary conceptual and operational definitions of "physical activity desert." Future studies of physical activity deserts should be undertaken in larger and more diverse samples.

Automatic Lithofacies Classification with t-SNE and K-Nearest Neighbors Algorithm

One of the critical processes in the exploration of hydrocarbons is the identification and prediction of lithofacies that constitute the reservoir. One of the cheapest and most efficient ways to carry out that process is from the interpretation of well log data, which are often obtained continuously and in the majority of drilled wells. The main methodologies used to correlate log data to data obtained in well cores are based on statistical analyses, machine learning models and artificial neural networks. This study aims to test an algorithm of dimension reduction of data together with an unsupervised classification method of predicting lithofacies automatically. The performance of the methodology presented was compared to predictions made with artificial neural networks. We used the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) as an algorithm for mapping the wells logging data in a smaller feature space. Then, the predictions of facies are performed using a KNN algorithm. The method is assessed in the public dataset of the Hugoton and Panoma fields. Prediction of facies through traditional artificial neural networks obtained an accuracy of 69%, where facies predicted through the t-SNE + K-NN algorithm obtained an accuracy of 79%. Considering the nature of the data, which have high dimensionality and are not linearly correlated, the efficiency of t SNE+KNN can be explained by the ability of the algorithm to identify hidden patterns in a fuzzy boundary in data set. It is important to stress that the application of machine learning algorithms offers relevant benefits to the hydrocarbon exploration sector, such as identifying hidden patterns in high-dimensional datasets, searching for complex and non-linear relationships, and avoiding the need for a preliminary definition of mathematic relations among the model’s input data.

Mechanical separation models for material recycling applications

Mechanical recycling of common materials such as plastics requires appropriate material segregation, which is usually performed adopting processes similar to those developed for mineral engineering industry. Due to the need to increment amount and quality of selection products, such processes – still developed through trial-and-error approach – are also facing improvements in order to fit with the needs of different waste flows. The work here presented deals with methodologies for virtual and practical development of mechanical separation processes and, in particular, about the preliminary definition of densimetric tables devices; for this reason, a brief review on typical waste flow is provided. The case study considered is a mixed polymeric fragmented flow comprehending two main fraction (elastomer and rigid plastics), which have been subjected to a preliminary separation test. Due to the need to optimize the process, a model for material fluidization is proposed to investigate the relevance of process parameters (e.g. air speed value) depending on material bed characteristics. After this, an image processing tool for the rapid analysis of fragments has been prepared, its scope being to find out typical shape and size characteristics, needed as input to the model, and color identification and number, which can be used for output characterization and performance analysis. Model and image processing tool together constitute the basis for process redesign, optimization and verification.

Political socialization in meme times: Adolescents and the sources of knowledge concerning politics

As observed by Richard G. Niemi and Mary A. Hepburn, the first wave of research on political socialization began in the 1950s and ended in the 1970s. During this period, a preliminary definition of...

Artificial intelligence in small bowel capsule endoscopy - current status, challenges and future promise.

Neural network-based solutions are under development to alleviate physicians from the tedious task of small-bowel capsule endoscopy reviewing. Computer-assisted detection is a critical step, aiming to reduce reading times while maintaining accuracy. Weakly supervised solutions have shown promising results; however, video-level evaluations are scarce, and no prospective studies have been conducted yet. Automated characterization (in terms of diagnosis and pertinence) by supervised machine learning solutions is the next step. It relies on large, thoroughly labeled databases, for which preliminary "ground truth" definitions by experts are of tremendous importance. Other developments are under ways, to assist physicians in localizing anatomical landmarks and findings in the small bowel, in measuring lesions, and in rating bowel cleanliness. It is still questioned whether artificial intelligence will enter the market with proprietary, built-in or plug-in software, or with a universal cloud-based service, and how it will be accepted by physicians and patients.

An Attempt to Formulate a Preliminary Definition of the Validity of Norms

The aim of the study is to formulate a preliminary defnition of the validity of norms using idealization method for this purpose. The author proposes a preliminary definition of the validity of norms and compares it with the conception of such a definition put forward by Leszek Nowak in Interpretacja prawnicza. Studium z metodologii prawoznawstwa.

A concept analysis of ‘trial recruitment’ using the hybrid model – Phase 1 findings

Background: The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) requires trials submitted for publication to be registered before enrolment of the first participant; however, there is ambiguity around the definition of recruitment and in anchoring the trial start date, end date, recruitment and enrolment, temporally to trial processes. There is potential for variation in how recruitment is reported and understood in trial protocols and trial reports. We report on Phase 1 of a concept analysis of 'trial recruitment' and develop a preliminary operational definition of 'trial recruitment'. Methods: A concept analysis using the hybrid model. We searched randomised and non-randomised trial reports published between January 2018 and June 2019. Included studies were sourced from the five top journals in the category of medicine with the highest impact factor. We examined how recruitment was defined temporally to four time points; screening, consent, randomisation, and allocation. Results: Of the 150 trial reports analysed, over half did not identify a clear time point of when recruitment took place in relation to any of screening/consent/randomisation/allocation. The majority of the assessed trials provided a time frame in relation to the trial (i.e. start/end date), the process that this time frame referred to differed between studies. There was variation across studies in the terminology used to describe entry to the trial and often multiple terms were used interchangeably. Conclusion: There is ambiguity around temporal descriptions of 'trial recruitment' in health care journals. Informed by the findings of Phase 1, we developed a preliminary temporal operational definition of trial recruitment based on i) trial recruitment of an individual or cluster and ii) the trial recruitment period. In Phase 2 this definition will be discussed in focus groups with healthcare workers involved in designing/implementing/reporting on trials; to contribute to the final phase (analytical phase) of this concept analysis.

Regional human resource development: the case of Southeast Asia and ASEAN

ABSTRACT This paper presents a multilevel framework and initial definition of Regional Human Resource Development (Regional HRD) via an examination of the role of human resource development (HRD) in the region of Southeast Asia and its regional governing institution, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This conceptual paper is informed by a review of 287 official documents published by ASEAN. Using a multilevel analysis, we propose a framework for Regional HRD in ASEAN and offer a preliminary definition of Regional HRD. The proposed framework of Regional HRD extends the current discourse on National HRD and Global HRD. We submit that Regional HRD in ASEAN is inextricably connected to National HRD of the 10 member countries of ASEAN. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

The investigation of classical particle in the presence of fractional calculus

In this article, by applying a preliminary and comprehensive definition of the fractional calculus, the effect of this calculus on the fractional derivatives corresponding to different aspects of physics such as Laplace transforms, Riemann-Liouville and Caputo has been specified. Applications of the fractional calculus in studying the dynamics of particle motion in classical mechanics are investigated analytically. Furthermore, we compare our results with those given in the ordinary condition and we show that this condition is simply found by removing the fractional effects and the expected results are obtained.

Modeling of the Optimization Procedure for Selecting the Location of New Thermal Power Plants (TPP)

At the level of design of thermal power plants (TPP), when making decisions related to the choice of its macro location and micro location, disposition solution and equipment structure, the choice of the right decision method is of particular importance. Multi criteria analysis involves solving inadequately structured problems, while in practical terms it is a necessary tool in solving the day-to-day tasks of decision-making, management actions, both at the design level and the exploitation of complex energy and process systems. The development of new methods and the improvement of existing multi criteria analysis methods have influenced their increasing application in the field of energy, from both theoretical and practical aspects. A particular segment of the application of multi criteria analysis methods is to make strategic or operational decisions when solving multidisciplinary problems with predominantly technical or predominantly economic content, whether looking at a part or the energy system as a whole. The application of these methods in choosing the right solutions in the decision-making tasks of management in the design, maintenance and operation of thermal power plants is based on the development of information technology and computer technology. There are several methods in use today, of which the following should be emphasized: PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization METHod of Enrichment Evaluation), AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process), IKOR, ELECTRE (ELimination Et Choice Translating REality), MAX-MIN, MAX-MAX, Hurwicz (combination of max-max and max-min methods), SAW (Simple Additive Weighting Method), TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution), conjunctive method, disjunctive method, etc. Depending on the method used, the ranking of alternatives or criteria, the best alternative or criterion or set of alternatives or criteria that meet certain conditions is obtained as a solution. Problems that can be considered using multi-criteria decision-making have certain common characteristics: a large number of criteria that must be created by the decision maker, a high likelihood of conflict between the criteria, inseparable (different) units of measure (as a rule, each criterion has different units of measure), as well as design or the choice of optimal concepts in a predetermined space. Solutions are either designing the best alternative or choosing the best action from a set of predefined final actions. This paper provides a brief description of the more important methods, along with an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the possibility of applying them to solve the specific problem of choosing a micro location for TPP. Starting from the application of the modified multi criteria method for determining the priorities between individual alternatives for ranking and selecting the optimal micro location within a certain macro location within a predetermined framework, in a decision situation involving a number of decision makers of different specialty, examples of micro location selection for new thermal power facilities of TPP Stanari are given, TPP Gacko 2 and TPP Ugljevik 3, with preliminary definition of elimination criteria and criteria for comparison of locations of given TPPs.

Toward Understanding Movement-evoked Pain (MEP) and its Measurement: A Scoping Review.

Individuals with chronic pain conditions often report movement as exacerbating pain. An increasing number of researchers and clinicians have recognized the importance of measuring and distinguishing between movement-evoked pain (MEP) and pain at rest as an outcome. This scoping review maps the literature and describes MEP measurement techniques. The scoping review utilized 6 databases to identify original studies that targeted pain or movement-related outcomes. Our search returned 7322 articles that were screened by title and abstract by 2 reviewers. The inclusion criteria focused on the measurement of MEP before, during, and after movement tasks in adults with chronic pain. Studies of children below 18 years of age or with nonhuman animals, case studies, qualitative studies, book chapters, cancer-related pain, non-English language, and abstracts with no full publish text were excluded from the study. Results from 38 studies revealed great variation in the measurement of MEP, while almost all of the studies did not provide an explicit conceptual or operational definition for MEP. In addition, studies collectively illuminated differences in MEP compared with rest pain, movement provocation methods, and pain intensity as the primary outcome. These results have clinically significant and research implications. To advance the study of MEP, we offer that consistent terminology, standardized measurement (appropriate for pain type/population), and clear methodological processes be provided in research publications. On the basis of the findings, we have put forth a preliminary definition of MEP that may benefit from the continued scholarly dialog.