Use Of Quantitative Measures Research Articles

Quantitative measures to assess, monitor and predict morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis

The use of quantitative measures to analyse the long-term course of RA appears to have provided new insights into the severe morbidity and increased mortality rates of this disease. Quantitative assessment of RA may be viewed as an expression of clinical rheumatology as a quantitative science designed to assess accurately the long-term course of disease. The description of the joint count, radiographic scores, laboratory tests, questionnaire measures and physical measures of functional status, as well as the importance of socio-economic status, may provide new insights into the pathogenesis, prevalence, morbidity and mortality of RA.

Straight-chain alcohol adsorption of the silver(110) surface

As models for the boundary layer films formed on lubricated metal surfaces the authors have examined the surface chemistry of a set of straight-chain alcohols on the clean Ag(110) surface. Consistent with previous studies of methanol and ethanol on this surface they find that all these alcohols are adsorbed completely reversibly. The heats of adsorption increase incrementally with addition of methylene groups to the hydrocarbon chain following the form{delta}H{sub ad} = 8.6 + (1.1 {plus minus} 0.1)n kcal/mol for CH{sub 3}(CH{sub 2}){sub n{minus}1}H. The formation of a monolayer of methanol on the surface reduces the surface work function by 1.15 eV, whereas for the longer chain alcohols this number is decremented by {approximately} 0.085 eV per additional methylene group in the chain. The orientation of the alkyl chain with respect to the surface has been determined with the use of quantitative measurements of X-ray photoemission from the C(1s) and O(1s) levels. They find that the alkyl chains are oriented roughly parallel to the surface rather than forming densely packed films of a Langmuir-Blodgett type.

Changing Patterns of Tolai Residence and Marital Choice

The striking changes in marriage and family in many societies of the Third World, as well as changes in aspects of social behavior commonly associated with them, have been well documented in many excellent ethnographic accounts (e.g., Richards 1940; Barnes 1951), and analyzed more generally in various works of synthesis (e.g., Goode 1964; Phillips 1953; Mair 1972). Despite a wealth of scholarship, much about the processes at work requires to be clarified. Study of the topic is indeed beset with difficulties. Some of these are methodological. Thus much of anthropological analysis has focussed on rules or norms. But in a changing situation the rules tend to remain (in that people continue to use the customary terms of discourse), whereas practice no longer conforms to the expectations that the rules or norms once embodied. On the other hand, if analysis were to focus on practice, on how people actually conducted themselves, we would confront another difficulty. The study of change necessarily requires that we compare data at different points on a temporal dimension, but if the resulting measures are to be valid, the data recorded at each point must refer to the same phenomena to be comparable. In societies where accurate records are maintained, some degree of comparability is possible, and the way is thus opened to the use of quantitative measures. By such means changes can be precisely identified, and the consequences of these changes can more reliably be examined. But good records are not generally available in the kinds of societies that anthropologists have conventionally studied. Moreover, even where an area is richly documented in the ethnographic accounts of earlier observers, as is notably the case on the Gazelle Peninsula of New Britain, the data may not be germane for present purposes. So, for example, while the earlier literature on the Gazelle, stemming from many scholarly missionaries and government officials, yields a good deal of information about customary marriage among the Tolai, this tends to be presented in terms of custom and offers little sociological analysis (see e.g., Danks 1889; Winthuis 1927). Some attempt to overcome this difficulty has been to pursue the experience of different generations using the evidence to be gleaned from genealogical records, but the further back in time one goes, the wider the margin of error to which the method is exposed. The best hope for avoiding some of these difficulties is for anthropologists to make return visits to the area in which they had previously conducted research (Foster 1979). The material I present in this paper results indeed from one such revisit.1 Although it was not my intention on this occasion to focus on marriage, in the course of checking the census I had conducted on Matupit in 1960-61,1 found that I was collecting information that seemed to point to important changes in marital patterns. The material I present here on post-

Isoelectric focusing versus quantitative measurements in the detection of intrathecal local synthesis of IgG

Specimens from 1007 patients with suspected neurological disturbances had quantitative and qualitative measurements made of cerebrospinal fluid and serum to investigate the presence of locally synthesised IgG. Qualitative measurement was recorded as the presence or absence of oligoclonal banding, and the quantitative measurement was derived by the use of the IgG index, the log index and the Reiber, Schuller and Tourtellotte formulae. The patients were divided into two categories, on the basis of banding: those with local synthesis and those without. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency for each of the quantitative measurements were then calculated. Receiver-operator curves were also constructed for each of the quantitative measurements. 282 samples showed local synthesis of IgG by isoelectric focusing, whereas the best quantitative assay (log index) could only detect 198. Therefore, we conclude that oligoclonal banding should be adopted as the standard laboratory measurement of local synthesis of IgG in the diagnosis of neurological disorders, and that the diagnostic use of quantitative measurements should be abandoned for routine purposes. Furthermore, we suggest that quantitative analysis, at its current level, is misleading and has little value in the understanding of neurological disorders, but may be of use in serially monitoring individual patients as part of their therapeutic trials.

Quantitative evaluation of AFO use with myelomeningocele children.

Although the sample size is small, results are very positive for the use of AFO's with the myelomeningocele child. The increase in pertinent gait parameters in conjunction with a decrease in excess hip, knee, and ankle flexion demonstrate the benefits gained in using AFO's to assist the myelomeningocele child in ambulation. Further, the decrease in excess muscle activation time and co-contraction facilitate a decrease in energy expenditure, thus allowing for more ambulation the limited results from this study provide a basis from which further research may be gleaned. The use of quantitative measures in evaluating the benefits of AFO's provides objective data from which future design and application recommendations may be made.

Objective assessment of vocal hyperfunction: an experimental framework and initial results.

This report describes the experimental design and initial results of an ongoing clinical investigation of voice disorders. Its major focus is the development and use of quantitative measures to provide objective descriptions of conditions referred to as "vocal hyperfunction." The experimental design for this project is based on a descriptive theoretical framework, which holds that there are different types and stages of hyperfunctionally related voice disorders. Data consist of indirect measures derived from noninvasive aerodynamic and acoustic recordings including (a) parameters derived from inverse filtered approximations of the glottal air flow waveform; (b) estimates of transglottal pressure, average glottal air flow, glottal resistance and vocal efficiency; and (c) measures of vocal intensity and fundamental frequency. Initial results (based on comparisons among 15 voice patients and 45 normal speakers) support major assumptions that underlie the theoretical framework, and indicate that the measurement approach being utilized is capable of differentiating hyperfunctional from normal voices and hyperfunctional conditions from one another. Organic manifestations of vocal hyperfunction (nodules, polyps, contact ulcers) are accompanied by abnormally high values for the glottal waveform parameters of AC flow and maximum flow declination rate, suggesting increased potential for vocal fold trauma due to high vocal fold closure velocities and collision forces. In contrast, nonorganic manifestations of hyperfunction (functional disorders) tend to be associated with abnormally high levels of unmodulated DC flow, without high values for AC flow and maximum flow declination rate, suggesting reduced potential for vocal fold trauma. Measures also suggest different underlying mechanisms for nodules and polyps as compared to contact ulcers. Results are discussed relative to predictions based on the theoretical framework for vocal hyperfunction.

A VALUE‐ADDED STUDENT ASSESSMENT MODEL NORTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT An account of a Value‐Added (Competency‐based) Student Assessment Model which claims to be a visionary answer to universities and colleges in fear of their fiscal lives. The measures used, and their advantages, are stated in general terms and then followed by a specimen case‐study. The effects on students, the faculty and the curriculum, and funding are briefly considered and these are then related to wider issues. The emphasis on excellence in education is refreshing, but the widespread use of quantitative measures to gain qualitative improvements may surprise many U.K. readers. The limitations of the model are clearly indicated.

Quantitative measurements of inventory control

The use of quantitative measurements for improving inventory management efficiency in hospital pharmacy is reviewed. Proper management of the pharmacy inventory affects the financial operation of the entire hospital. Problems associated with maintaining inadequate or excessive inventory investment are discussed, and the use of inventory valuation and turnover rate for assessing inventory control efficiency is described. Frequency of order placement has an important effect on inventory turnover, carrying costs, and ordering costs. Use of the ABC system of inventory classification for identifying products constituting the majority of inventory dollar investment is outlined, and the economic order value concept is explained. With increasing regulations aimed at controlling hospital costs, pharmacy managers must seek every possible means to improve efficiency. Reducing the amount of money obligated to inventory can substantially improve the financial position of the hospital without requiring a reduction in personnel or quality of service.

Consultation-Liaison outcome evaluation system. I. Consultant-consultee interaction.

The Consultation-Liaison Outcome Evaluation System characterizes the effectiveness of consultative activities. The initial phase of the system identifies consultees' responses to psychiatric consultants' recommendations and diagnoses and the variables critical to concordance with the use of quantitative measures. The observed incidence and concordance rates of the consultant-consultee interaction were integrated (1) to establish a concordance hierarchy clarifying consultees' priorities in seeking psychiatric consultation, (2) to provide reference points to guide psychiatric consultants' clinical actions, (3) to establish tentative standards with which to evaluate the effectiveness of psychiatric consultation, and (4) to signal the need for further outcome studies and the development of data-based consultation practices.

Quantitative evaluation of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of iris function.

The use of quantitative measurements of pupil size as an index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in normal and diabetic subjects is described. The dual innervation of the iris by the parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous system was demonstrated by measurement of steady-state pupil size before and after changes in ANS activity by pharmacologic agents. In the presence of total PNS blockade, dark-adapted pupil size was a reliable index of SNS activity to the iris. Latency time (time from light stimulation to initial pupil response) appeared to be a good index of PNS activity. However, increased SNS activity may also prolong the latency time. Thus, consideration of SNS activity is necessary when evaluating the latency time. In 25 diabetic subjects, there was evidence of impaired SNS activity (smaller dark-adapted pupil size during total PNS blockade) and PNS activity (prolonged latency time). In a subgroup of diabetic subjects without clinical manifestations of autonomic neuropathy and normal subjects, both dark-adapted pupil size during PNS blockade (SNS index) and latency time (PNS index) were abnormal. The coefficient of variation for these two indices was less than 5% in glycemic stable diabetic subjects. Thus, these two indices are reliable and sensitive measures of the SNS and PNS activity to the iris in normal and diabetic subjects.

Examination of Le and lele Genotypes of Glycine max (L.) Merr. for Membrane-Bound and Buffer-Soluble Soybean Lectin

Membrane fractions from seedlings of four soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] lines were examined by radioimmunoassay and hemagglutination assay for the 120,000 dalton soybean lectin. Two of the lines (Sooty and T-102) are genotypically lele and lack buffer-soluble soybean lectin; the remaining two lines (Beeson and Harosoy 63) are Le and produce seeds that contain the lectin (Su et al. 1980 Biochim. Biophys. Acta 629: 292-304). Both Triton X-100 (0.5% v/v) and nonidet P-40 (0.05% v/v) solubilized soybean lectin from membrane fractions of Le cotyledons. Triton X-100 interfered substantially with the assay of protein and hemagglutinating activity and was unacceptable for use in quantitative measurements. The nonidet P-40-solubilized soybean lectin from Le cotyledons was consistently present both in washed 13,000g and 82,500g membrane fractions, but it accounted for less than 1.5% of the total (buffer-soluble plus membrane-bound) soybean lectin. The membrane lectin was purified by the affinity chromatography procedure devised for soluble soybean lectin, and it was immunologically indistinguishable from authentic soybean lectin. Membrane fractions from Le cotyledons contained insignificant amounts of radioisotope-labeled soybean lectin that had been added during homogenization, and purified membrane fractions did not bind the lectin in the presence of the hapten, d-galactose. These controls make it unlikely that the membrane soybean lectin was of cytoplasmic origin. Soybean lectin and other hemagglutinins were not present in buffer-soluble or membrane fractions from lele cotyledons or from roots and hypocotyls of any of the lines.

Immunochemical measurement of prostatic binding protein

As shown previously [ 1,2] rat ventral prostate contains a large amount of prostatic binding protein which is secreted by this organ and plays a major role in the non-specific steroid binding in prostatic cytosol. Up until now we have studied this protein by its binding activity but the quantitative use of this parameter was hindered by the marked effect of various factors (e.g. delipidation) on the binding activity. Here we describe the production of a monospecific antiserum against prostatic binding protein and its use in quantitative measurements by radial immunodiffusion [3] .

Upland Adjustment to Regional Drainage in Central Pennsylvania: An Application of Trend Surface Analysis

Abstract The use of quantitative measurements in geography has increased rapidly throughout the 1960s, and will probably continue to accelerate. It is unfortunate that those with limited mathematical backgrounds have felt intimidated by this new methodology. Even more regrettable is the fact that few quantifiers have attempted to make their work more palatable to a wider audience. The method of trend surface analysis employed here to explore an old problem—peneplanation—has many other potential applications in geographic research. The author believes that no geographer should feel intimidated by mathematical symbolism. An attempt is made to “talk-through” the technique of spatial trend analysis—one of many measurement tools already or shortly available to geography teachers and high school students via remote terminals linked to university computing centers. In addition, the concepts of the Erosion Cycle and upland accordance are reviewed and evaluated in the light of new evidence trend surface analysis n...

Economic Development, Representative Mechanisms, Administrative Professionalism and Public Policies: A Comparative Analysis of Within-State Distributions of Economic and Political Traits

In recent years a number of studies have compared the economic, political, and policy traits of the American states. The literature is marked by the use of quantitative measures, sophisticated statistical techniques, and a conscious effort on the part of scholars to make their work comparable-and thus additive-to the work of others. This article is written for the literature on comparative state politics. It is concerned with two traits that are found in much of the writing: (1) a tendency to limit political variables to the mechanisms of party, voting, and legislative apportionment; and (2) a tendency to rely on measures of average state economic and political traits rather than on measures that show how those traits are distributed within each state. This article introduces some new measures of state economic and political traits that emphasize the within-state distributions of economics and politics, and that tap the professionalism of administrative personnel as well as the representative mechanism of party competition. It reports state-by-state scores for each measure and demonstrates their usefulness in explaining state-by-state differences in measures of public policy. The measures of state politics that have been studied most in recent literature concern the degree of inter-party competition, the incidence of voter turnout, and the degree of urban-rural equity in legislative apportionment prior to Baker v Carr.' For the most

Free Radical Yields in Polytetrafluoroethylene as the Basis for a Radiation Dosimeter

Abstract : Exposure of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to ionizing radiation results in chemical degradation of the polymer and formation of long-lived free radicals. The paper describes the use of quantitative measurements of the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the free radical produced in irradiated PTFE to determine radical yields and attempts to correlate these radical yields with the absorbed radiation dose. The experimental results indicate sufficient correlation over the experimental range rad to permit use of PTFE as a passive radiation dosimeter. The advantages inherent in the use of the PTFE dosimeter for the measurement of low energy electromagnetic or particulate radiation are also discussed. Energy deposition as a function of depth from the incident surface can be determined by sectioning of the polymer after irradiation. The resulting dose - depth curves can then be used to obtain spectral and profile data from polychromatic sources. (Author)