A Heuristic for the Analysis of Truncated Standard Normal Distribution Assemblies

The analysis of data sets and process conditions commonly assume the use of standard normal distributions and truncated standard normal distributions (TSND). The use of these distributions has application to various engineering disciplines along with numerous other industries (e.g., financial industries, medical fields, management, etc.). For engineering managers, the use of truncated standard normal distributions has particular relevance when evaluating process conditions commonly associated with assembly tolerances, manufacturing, and associated measures of quality. This article summarizes a heuristic approach for the analysis of assembly-level truncated standard normal distributions and associated research from a recent dissertation (Ralls, 2014). This article provides a cursory review of the literature presented by that research, briefly reviews key analysis equations, and provides a heuristic procedure from that research. The approach presented summarizes TSND assembly analysis utilizing a distributions characteristic function and an inversion factor for a single doubly truncated standard normal distribution is also reviewed. Applications, research recommendations, and future investigations for engineering managers in the following areas of truncated distribution analysis are proposed: heuristic improvement, distributions expansion, simulation expansion, and further application to storage and part allocations

Beef Cattle Salmonellosis: A Study of Oral Salmonella typhimurium and Topical Salmonella newport Inoculations

Cattle are frequently infected with salmonellae by fecaloral transmission or by being fed contaminated animal protein byproducts (40% are reported contaminated in the U.S.). Bothcould propagate salmonellosis in feedlots. Research indicates that stress can induce shedding of salmonellae by asymptomatic carriers. Stress factors associated withsalmonellosis include: transportation, starvation, changes in ration, overcrowding, age, pregnancy, parturition, exertion, anesthesia, surgery, intercurrentdisease, and oral treatment withantibioticsand anthelmintics. In this study, we have attempted to correlate dosage of S. typhimurium inoculumwithdisease, persistence of infection, and environmental contamination. The persistence and spread of S. newport placed on the skin of cattle was also studied

Beef Cattle Salmonellosis: A Study of Oral Salmonella typhimurium and Topical Salmonella newport Inoculations

Cattle are frequently infected with salmonellae by fecaloral transmission or by being fed contaminated animal protein byproducts (40% are reported contaminated in the U.S.). Bothcould propagate salmonellosis in feedlots. Research indicates that stress can induce shedding of salmonellae by asymptomatic carriers. Stress factors associated withsalmonellosis include: transportation, starvation, changes in ration, overcrowding, age, pregnancy, parturition, exertion, anesthesia, surgery, intercurrentdisease, and oral treatment withantibioticsand anthelmintics. In this study, we have attempted to correlate dosage of S. typhimurium inoculumwithdisease, persistence of infection, and environmental contamination. The persistence and spread of S. newport placed on the skin of cattle was also studied

Interactive Device that Performs Output Based On Human Movement and/or Human Emotion Detected via Machine Learning

Generally, the present disclosure is directed to a device capable of providing an output that is specific to and/or based on nearby human movement and/or human emotion detected by one or more machine-learned models

Moderating Readers and Reading Online

Despite the proliferation of online forums for the discussion of literary texts, very little has been written to date on the management of these spaces and how this helps frame the kinds of discussion and interpretative work that take place. This article draws on a series of interviews with moderators of online book-related sites, alongside close analysis of online interactions between moderators and users to consider issues of authority, hierarchy, power and control, asking how these act to structure or facilitate acts of interpretation taking place online. We begin by outlining the moderator's role before conducting a brief review of existing scholarship on offline reading groups and online communities, to identify how social infrastructures are established and negotiated. The main body of the article draws upon interviews with moderators of two online literary forums – The Republic of Pemberley and The Guardian’s online Reading Group – to explore the ways in which each of the respective moderators frames his or her role. This is accompanied by an in-depth exploration of how the forms of interpretation we find on the two sites are shaped and directed by the moderators. The article concludes by reflecting upon some of the issues raised by this study and its methodology, particularly with regards to digital dualism and the blurring of the boundaries between the public and the private in online spaces

Should Research Ethics Encourage the Production of Cost-Effective Interventions?

This project considers whether and how research ethics can contribute to the provision of cost-effective medical interventions. Clinical research ethics represents an underexplored context for the promotion of cost-effectiveness. In particular, although scholars have recently argued that research on less-expensive, less-effective interventions can be ethical, there has been little or no discussion of whether ethical considerations justify curtailing research on more expensive, more effective interventions. Yet considering cost-effectiveness at the research stage can help ensure that scarce resources such as tissue samples or limited subject popula- tions are employed where they do the most good; can support parallel efforts by providers and insurers to promote cost-effectiveness; and can ensure that research has social value and benefits subjects. I discuss and rebut potential objections to the consideration of cost-effectiveness in research, including the difficulty of predicting effectiveness and cost at the research stage, concerns about limitations in cost-effectiveness analysis, and worries about overly limiting researchers’ freedom. I then consider the advantages and disadvantages of having certain participants in the research enterprise, including IRBs, advisory committees, sponsors, investigators, and subjects, consider cost-effectiveness. The project concludes by qualifiedly endorsing the consideration of cost-effectiveness at the research stage. While incorporating cost-effectiveness considerations into the ethical evaluation of human subjects research will not on its own ensure that the health care system realizes cost-effectiveness goals, doing so nonetheless represents an important part of a broader effort to control rising medical costs

A Workshop on Cognitive Aging and Impairment in the 9/11-Exposed Population

The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 potentially exposed more than 400,000 responders, workers, and residents to psychological and physical stressors, and numerous hazardous pollutants. In 2011, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) was mandated to monitor and treat persons with 9/11-related adverse health conditions and conduct research on physical and mental health conditions related to the attacks. Emerging evidence suggests that persons exposed to 9/11 may be at increased risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. To investigate further, the WTCHP convened a scientific workshop that examined the natural history of cognitive aging and impairment, biomarkers in the pathway of neurodegenerative diseases, the neuropathological changes associated with hazardous exposures, and the evidence of cognitive decline and impairment in the 9/11-exposed population. Invited participants included scientists actively involved in health-effects research of 9/11-exposed persons and other at-risk populations. Attendees shared relevant research results from their respective programs and discussed several options for enhancements to research and surveillance activities, including the development of a multi-institutional collaborative research network. The goal of this report is to outline the meeting’s agenda and provide an overview of the presentation materials and group discussion

Clinical ethics revisited

A decade ago, we reviewed the field of clinical ethics; assessed its progress in research, education, and ethics committees and consultation; and made predictions about the future of the field. In this article, we revisit clinical ethics to examine our earlier observations, highlight key developments, and discuss remaining challenges for clinical ethics, including the need to develop a global perspective on clinical ethics problems

The growth of a culture of evidence-based obstetrics in South Africa: a qualitative case study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While the past two decades have seen a shift towards evidence-based obstetrics and midwifery, the process through which a culture of evidence-based practice develops and is sustained within particular fields of clinical practice has not been well documented, particularly in LMICs (low- and middle-income countries). Forming part of a broader qualitative study of evidence-based policy making, this paper describes the development of a culture of evidence-based practice amongst maternal health policy makers and senior academic obstetricians in South Africa</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative case-study approach was used. This included a literature review, a policy document review, a timeline of key events and the collection and analysis of 15 interviews with policy makers and academic clinicians involved in these policy processes and sampled using a purposive approach. The data was analysed thematically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The concept of evidence-based medicine became embedded in South African academic obstetrics at a very early stage in relation to the development of the concept internationally. The diffusion of this concept into local academic obstetrics was facilitated by contact and exchange between local academic obstetricians, opinion leaders in international research and structures promoting evidence-based practice. Furthermore the growing acceptance of the concept was stimulated locally through the use of existing professional networks and meetings to share ideas and the contribution of local researchers to building the evidence base for obstetrics both locally and internationally. As a testimony to the extent of the diffusion of evidence-based medicine, South Africa has strongly evidence-based policies for maternal health.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case study shows that the combined efforts of local and international researchers can create a culture of evidence-based medicine within one country. It also shows that doing so required time and perseverance from international researchers combined with a readiness by local researchers to receive and actively promote the practice.</p