The Standards: A General Review

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66521/2/10.1177_109821408100200214.pd

Assessing Factors Influencing Acceptance of No-Difference Research

In this randomized study 160 members of the Evaluation Research Society acted as judges to assess the attributes of research that produce credibility. The study focused on acceptability of no-difference findings, a long ignored but important domain of research. In the context of a hypothetical study, four factors were tested to determine their influence on acceptability of both no-difference and difference findings: randomization/nonran domization, one/three outcomes, power = .80/.60, and equivalence on baseline measures of all eight/all but two of eight. Experts were asked to judge degree of acceptability and to reject or accept findings in both a no-difference and a difference study. Randomization consistently enhanced the believability of outcomes whereas other factors exerted a less consistent influence. Limitations of the study were discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66931/2/10.1177_0193841X8701100108.pd

Comparison between the dynamic response of selective laser melting (SLM) parkts and conventionally manufactured parts

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a relatively new manufacturing process in additive manufacturing (commonly referred to as 3D printing). The process uses a laser sintering technique to build metal parts layer by layer by using the raw material in a powder form. A high intensity laser is used to melt each layer of the metal powder and attach it to the rest of the part. This process is a significant enhancement of additive manufacturing processes since it can be used to manufacture production parts, not just rapid prototypes for visual or educational use. The goal of this research has been to determine the main distinctions between parts made by SLM and parts made by conventional manufacturing processes such as rolling or forging. Specifically, dynamic response and dynamic properties have been compared in this research. Properties such as tensile strength, hardness, natural modes etc. have also been investigated. The dynamic properties have been compared by using simple geometries such as beam structures and relatively complex geometries such as small turbine wheels. A laser vibrometer and a tensile tester have been used to perform all the testing for dynamic and static characterization. Test results have provided a comprehensive understanding of the structural properties of parts made by the SLM process. Test results have also provided some insight into the influence of process parameters on the dynamic properties of the parts manufactured by SLM. The overarching aim of this research has been to determine whether parts manufactured by this new additive manufacturing technique are comparable to conventionally manufactured parts. Results indicate that the static properties (tensile strength, yield strength, etc.) of parts manufactured by SLM are statistically similar to other parts. Also, static properties are not seen to vary significantly with the choice of parameters associated with the SLM process. However, it is observed that the damping ratios corresponding to the bending modes are higher for parts made by SLM, regardless of process parameters. It is also observed that natural frequencies corresponding to the bending modes decrease while natural frequencies corresponding to the torsional modes increase. Furthermore, parameters such as layer thickness and number of scans are seen to significantly influence the natural frequency. These observations indicate that the fatigue life of parts made by SLM can vary significantly. Therefore, the choice of process parameters needs to be investigated further, and it may be necessary to make modifications to the geometry of a part

Nonreactive measures in psychotherapy outcome research

Attempts to assess outcomes of psychotherapy have relied too heavily on measures likely to be highly reactive, by which is meant that the processes of measurement affect what is being measured. Commonly employed measures of outcome such as therapist ratings or self-report are especially susceptible to effects attributable to knowledge of what is being measured. There are advantages in developing and using measures that, even though imperfect in other ways, are minimally reactive. Nonreactive measures should be considered as supplementary and not as substitutes for other measures. Problems with nonreactive measures involving ethics, validity and other psychometric limitations are troublesome but not insurmountable. Promising categoires of nonreactive measures include physical traces of past behaviors, archival records, nonverbal behaviors and observations carried out in contrived situations. Measures with dependably low levels of reactivity, including physiological measures, should also be considered for use.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25414/1/0000863.pd

Factors Affecting the Adoption and Impact of CGIAR Innovations: A Project Overview

An initial report on a large scale project mounted by IAEG to determine whether international agricultural development research is having the intended effects. It reports on ten integrated case studies.The document gives the evolution of thinking in the IAEG since its founding, and lays out the case study strategy and methodology being employed. An appendix described the issues to be addressed in all the studies, as a basis for synthesis of results.This material was prepared for distribution at the CGIAR International Centers Week in October 1997, but in fact reached members by mail after the meeting

IAEG - Factors Affecting the Adoption and Impact of CGIAR Innovations: A Synthesis of Findings

Summation of the findings of the IAEG-sponsored project 'Factors Affecting the Adoption and Impact of CGIAR Innovations' presented at CGIAR International Centers Week 1998. Companion documents containing a project overview and executive summaries of nine case studies are provided separately. The document reviews the characteristics of technological innovations with high rates of adoption and impact, and the practices these characteristics suggested for successful project planning

Construct Validation of Quality of Life for the Severely Mentally Ill

This study focused on the quality of life experienced by persons with severe mental illness (SMI). Previous studies indicate the need for a multi-dimensional approach to the study of quality of life and its subjective indicators. For the SMI, attention should be paid not only to the direct and intentional effects of interventions, but also to the indirect and unintentional effects, both negative and positive. Hence, a global evaluation of individuals within this group is indicated. A multitrait-multimethod approach to construct validation using confirmatory factor analysis was employed. The hypothesized factors were modeled as multiple traits and the multiple perspectives of the respondents (i.e. patient, case manager, family member) were multiple methods. A total of 265 severely mentally ill adults served by a network of agencies in four cities were randomly sampled. The sample was approximately 50% male and 50% female, ages ranged from 19-78 years.   DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v1i2_johnso

Awareness and implementation of tobacco dependence treatment guidelines in Arizona: Healthcare Systems Survey 2000

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This paper presents findings from the Tobacco Control in Arizona Healthcare Systems Survey, conducted in 2000. The purpose of the survey was to assess the status of Arizona healthcare systems' awareness and implementation of tobacco cessation and prevention measures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The 20-item survey was developed by The University of Arizona HealthCare Partnership in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco Education and Prevention. It was mailed to representatives of Arizona's 40 healthcare systems, including commercial and Medicare managed care organizations, "managed Medicaid" organizations, Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems, and Indian Health Service Medical Centers. Thirty-three healthcare systems (83%) completed the survey.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The majority of healthcare systems reported awareness of at least one tobacco cessation and prevention clinical practice guideline, but only one third reported full guideline implementation. While a majority covered some form of behavioral therapy, less than half reported covering tobacco treatment medications. "Managed Medicaid" organizations administered through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System were significantly less likely to offer coverage for behavioral therapy and less likely to cover pharmacotherapy than were their non-Medicaid counterparts in managed care, Veterans Affairs Health Care Systems and Indian Health Service Medical Centers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Arizona healthcare system coverage for tobacco cessation in the year 2000 was comparable to national survey findings of the same year. The findings that only 10% of "Managed Medicaid" organizations covered tobacco treatment medication and were significantly less likely to cover behavioral therapy were important given the nearly double smoking prevalence among Medicaid patients. Throughout the years of the program, the strategic plan of the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Tobacco Education and Prevention has included the goal of identifying and eliminating tobacco related disparities for special populations, including low-income groups. Of importance, in 2008 the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System was authorized to provide tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy as a covered benefit for its members.</p

Expert range maps of global mammal distributions harmonised to three taxonomic authorities

AimComprehensive, global information on species' occurrences is an essential biodiversity variable and central to a range of applications in ecology, evolution, biogeography and conservation. Expert range maps often represent a species' only available distributional information and play an increasing role in conservation assessments and macroecology. We provide global range maps for the native ranges of all extant mammal species harmonised to the taxonomy of the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) mobilised from two sources, the Handbook of the Mammals of the World (HMW) and the Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World (CMW).LocationGlobal.TaxonAll extant mammal species.MethodsRange maps were digitally interpreted, georeferenced, error-checked and subsequently taxonomically aligned between the HMW (6253 species), the CMW (6431 species) and the MDD taxonomies (6362 species).ResultsRange maps can be evaluated and visualised in an online map browser at Map of Life (mol.org) and accessed for individual or batch download for non-commercial use.Main conclusionExpert maps of species' global distributions are limited in their spatial detail and temporal specificity, but form a useful basis for broad-scale characterizations and model-based integration with other data. We provide georeferenced range maps for the native ranges of all extant mammal species as shapefiles, with species-level metadata and source information packaged together in geodatabase format. Across the three taxonomic sources our maps entail, there are 1784 taxonomic name differences compared to the maps currently available on the IUCN Red List website. The expert maps provided here are harmonised to the MDD taxonomic authority and linked to a community of online tools that will enable transparent future updates and version control