[A study of problems of formulating the nitrate criteria in drinking water (author's transl)].
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Nitrates↗
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[The architecture of the brain and the individuality of personality (formulating the problem)].
The article is concerned the problem of comparison of the individual psychophysiological characteristics (human personality) with structural peculiarities of human brain. The importance of such analysis of personal individuality is underlined. The author undertakes an attempt to consider some personal individuality in the light of the his postulated systemic principles of the brain structure-functional organization. The examples of possible comparison of the some human abilities with the structural signs of their brain have been done. These abilities can be obviously reflected in the different variations of the cortex and subcortical structures construction. The author premises his ideas to the following publication of the article-essay "The study of Lenin's brain".
Brain↗
Coevolutionary particle swarm optimization using Gaussian distribution for solving constrained optimization problems.
In this correspondence, an approach based on coevolutionary particle swarm optimization to solve constrained optimization problems formulated as min-max problems is presented. In standard or canonical particle swarm optimization (PSO), a uniform probability distribution is used to generate random numbers for the accelerating coefficients of the local and global terms. We propose a Gaussian probability distribution to generate the accelerating coefficients of PSO. Two populations of PSO using Gaussian distribution are used on the optimization algorithm that is tested on a suite of well-known benchmark constrained optimization problems. Results have been compared with the canonical PSO (constriction factor) and with a coevolutionary genetic algorithm. Simulation results show the suitability of the proposed algorithm in terms of effectiveness and robustness.
Letter↗
Nursing assessment of the patient with high blood pressure.
Whether or not the nurse is responsible for the complete assessment of a patient with high blood pressure, he or she should be capable of completing the subjective data base according to the guidelines provided. The extent to which nurses participate in the collection of objective data will depend upon their level of comfort with the process, their prior training, and the setting. A knowledge base should be developed that is sufficient to collaborate with the health team (which includes the patient) in order to identify problems, formulate interventions, and evaluate outcomes. The problem-oriented approach is presented as a rational approach to the assessment process. The problem-oriented health record provides documentation of care and account-ability, both of which are important to nursing as a profession. The results of the total assessment provide the information necessary to begin the extended process of patient education and contracting that is necessary in the treatment of high blood pressure. Armed with knowledge, concern, enthusiasm, an inquiring mind, and a rational approach, the nurse can have a significant impact on the quality of care available to those at risk from hypertension.
Adolescent↗
Effects of an educational program with interactive videodisc systems in improving critical thinking dispositions for RN-BSN students in Taiwan.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an educational program with interactive videodisc systems (IVS) in improving affective dispositions toward critical thinking for RN-BSN students in Taiwan. A pre-/post-test quasi-experimental design was used. The IVS program was provided. A sample of 126 students was obtained from one nursing college. The California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory was used. The results showed significant differences in all dispositions toward critical thinking, except inquisitiveness, between before and after the IVS program. With the IVS program, the subjects are educated in situations simulating real scenarios prior to clinical practice so that they not only have opportunities to learn how to approach the problem, formulate thinking, participate in discussions, and solve the problem, but they also are willing to keep thinking critically during clinical practice.
Adult↗
Rotary press utilizing a flexible die wall.
A die with a flexible wall was constructed and evaluated on a specially modified instrumented rotary tablet press. The design permits an inward deflection of the die wall by a side punch, which rolls past a side compression roll during compression-decompression. The side compression roll is instrumented to monitor the applied side compression roll forces. On decompression, return of the die wall to its original position permits release of residual die wall pressure. The decreased residual die wall pressure can decrease fracture and capping of tablets for problem formulations. The performance was tested on three experimental formulations. For these formulations, tablets made in a conventional die exhibited severe capping problems. However, most tablets compressed in the special die were superior. With proper adjustment of punch and die wall compression forces, excellent tablets could be manufactured. The merits of the special die and modified tablet machine are substantiated, although this initial design did not provide adequate die wall pressure for all formulations. Further engineering efforts could result in practical production equipment.
Acetaminophen↗
Animal behaviour learning environment: software to facilitate learning in canine and feline behavior therapy.
Interactive software has been developed on CD-ROM to facilitate learning of problem formulation, diagnostic methodology, and therapeutic options in dog and cat behavior problems. Students working in small groups are presented with a signalment, a case history, and brief description of the problem behavior as perceived by the client. Students then navigate through the case history by asking the client questions from an icon-driven question pad. Animated video responses to the questions are provided. Students are then required to rate the significance of the questions and answers with respect to the development of the unwelcome behavior. Links to online self-assessments and to resource materials about causation and treatment options are provided to assist students in their decision-making process. The activity concludes with a software-generated e-mail submission that includes the recorded history, diagnosis, and recommended treatment for assessment purposes.
Animals↗
The risk assessment paradigm and its application for trichothecenes.
Risk analysis for trichothecene mycotoxins and other food contaminants, which are to a significant extent unavoidable, presents considerable challenges. Risk assessment is constrained by uncertainties associated with the lack of adequate data, and risk management must consider the fact that mycotoxin contamination can have serious impacts on trade and food sufficiency. These factors necessitate good communication between the risk assessors and risk managers in formulating the questions to be addressed by the risk assessment. Risk assessment must be an iterative process, since the problem formulation and the risk assessment may need to be revised to reflect new data and theories. In addition to providing advice to risk managers, risk assessment should provide a blueprint for future research by illustrating what observations will influence a prediction. The international risk assessments completed for deoxynivalenol, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and nivalenol have noted a number of issues regarding the lack of adequate intake data for exposure assessment and significant gaps in toxicological studies for hazard characterizations. Addressing these uncertainties would provide risk managers with better guidance for control measures.
Animals↗
The potential utility of problem-based learning in the education of clinical psychologists and others.
Clinical psychologists, like most health professionals, are in essence clinical problem-solvers. However, dealing with mental health problems may necessitate a greater relative reliance upon inductive clinical reasoning during the problem-solving process. To develop a provisional problem formulation mental health professionals may have to make sense of the co-occurrence of complex and poorly delineated problems. Claims have been made, predominantly in the literature on medical education, regarding the utility of problem-based learning (PBL) for achieving aims central to the effective performance of this role. In this article, after characterizing clinical psychology and PBL, we briefly explore the benefits claimed for PBL and assert that the putative cognitive and interpersonal consequences of the approach may be particularly pertinent to mental health practice. Particular emphasis is placed upon the necessity of facilitating effective clinical reasoning, that is, teaching future practitioners how to, rather than what to, think about complex psychopathology. PBL is also considered in the wider context of models of experiential learning and methods for teaching problem-solving. Finally, future research questions are suggested which may provide answers relevant to the facilitation of effective clinical reasoning in all health professions.
Journal Article↗
Noninvasive myocardial activation time imaging: a novel inverse algorithm applied to clinical ECG mapping data.
Linear approaches like the minimum-norm least-square algorithm show insufficient performance when it comes to estimating the activation time map on the surface of the heart from electrocardiographic (ECG) mapping data. Additional regularization has to be considered leading to a nonlinear problem formulation. The Gauss-Newton approach is one of the standard mathematical tools capable of solving this kind of problem. To our experience, this algorithm has specific drawbacks which are caused by the applied regularization procedure. In particular, under clinical conditions the amount of regularization cannot be determined clearly. For this reason, we have developed an iterative algorithm solving this nonlinear problem by a sequence of regularized linear problems. At each step of iteration, an individual L-curve is computed. Subsequent iteration steps are performed with the individual optimal regularization parameter. This novel approach is compared with the standard Gauss-Newton approach. Both methods are applied to simulated ECG mapping data as well as to single beat sinus rhythm data from two patients recorded in the catheter laboratory. The proposed approach shows excellent numerical and computational performance, even under clinical conditions at which the Gauss-Newton approach begins to break down.
Action Potentials↗
Human locomotion analysis: determination of muscular forces and nervous orders.
This study gives a modelization of gait which connects the kinematic and mechanical parameters of the motion with the characteristic ones of the muscular contraction (F, l, i, y). The problem, formulated from the equations of the motion related to a standard human being, is solved in terms of a minimization problem, taking into account the anatomical, physiological and energetic constraints of this motion by means of numerical calculations on a computer I.B.M. 360. This first approach allows us to determine the periods of activity of the different muscles, the exerted forces and the associated nervous orders during a stance phase. The model can be applied to the study of the effect of fatigue on motion.
Biomechanical Phenomena↗
The case of Ann: a sleep disturbance in a 3-year-old child.
Ann, a 3 1/2-year-old girl, was brought to a pediatric clinic for a chronic, severe sleep disturbance which had precipitated a serious family crisis. A developmental interactional approach was used by the pediatrician and a social worker who evaluated her case; the problem formulation included a reciprocal separation issue between Ann and her mother. Over a 2-month period, dynamic casework around the behavior problem revealed an unresolved grief reaction. Intervention resulted in resolution of the sleep disturbance and an untangling of the relationship between Ann and each of her parents.
Child Behavior↗
The value of the yearly medical evaluation in a nursing home.
This study evaluates the benefit of the annual medical examination in an academically affiliated Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit. Ninety-six male residents with a mean age of 74.4 yr who were all receiving ongoing medical care underwent annual evaluations including a history, physical examination, chest X-ray and appropriate laboratory testing. All residents have had continual updating of their problem lists and are part of an ongoing geriatric educational program. Findings on the annual evaluation were compared to the most recently formulated problem list. Our evaluation revealed a total of only eight previously unknown abnormalities. Data suggest that ongoing health care as part of an academic geriatric program may obviate the need for annual evaluations.
Aged↗
Liposomes as carriers of antitumor agents: toward a clinical reality.
For several years, liposomes have been explored as carriers of antitumor agents. Liposomes can be administered intravenously to carry lipid-soluble drugs, to improve drug stability, to target organs with fenestrated capillaries, to achieve an intravascular slow drug-release system, and to reduce drug levels in certain organs sensitive to toxicity. They also have significant potential for local therapy when administered subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. The preclinical development of liposome-entrapped antitumor agents has been, in general, slowed by cumbersome formulation problems. However, during the last few years, new drug loading techniques and a better selection of the drugs for liposome entrapment have resulted in pharmaceutically acceptable liposomal formulations or antitumor agents. Three preparations have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration, two containing doxorubicin, and the other a new lipophilic cisplatin analogue [cis-bis-neodecanoato-trans-R,R-1,2-diamino-cyclohexane platinum (II)]. In preclinical studies, these preparations were shown to be less toxic than the parent compounds and more active in models of liver micrometastases. Clinical Phase I and II studies with these formulations are now in progress. Although liposomal antitumor agents have no established role in the anticancer armamentarium at this stage, the information available suggests that they may improve the therapeutic index or broaden the applications of available antitumor agents and possibly act as carriers for newly designed liposome-dependent antitumor agents.
Animals↗
Multiplexing schemes for generic SNP genotyping assays.
Association studies in populations relate genomic variation among individuals with medical condition. Key to these studies is the development of efficient and affordable genotyping techniques. Generic genotyping assays are independent of the target SNPs and offer great flexibility in the genotyping process. Efficient use of such assays calls for identifying sets of SNPs that can be interrogated in parallel under constraints imposed by the genotyping technology. In this paper, we study problems arising in the design of genotyping experiments using generic assays. Our problem formulation deals with two main factors that affect the genotyping cost: the number of assays used and the number of PCR reactions required for sample preparation. We prove that the resulting computational problems are hard, but provide approximate and heuristic solutions to these problems. Our algorithmic approach is based on recasting the multiplexing problems as partitioning and packing problems on a bipartite graph. We tested our algorithmic approaches on an extensive collection of synthetic data and on data that was simulated using real SNP sequences. Our results show that the algorithms achieve near-optimal designs in many cases and demonstrate the applicability of generic assays to SNP genotyping.
Algorithms↗
Combinatorial approaches to formulation development.
This review describes the use of combinatorial methods for the development of drug formulations. Combinatorial methods are applied to find solutions to various formulation problems, including drug solubilization, controlled release, oral drug administration, and others. Various methods are described, including the synthesis of carrier libraries, high-throughput screening and computational analysis, which are used during the formulation development process, starting from initial assays through the optimization of formulation composition, to the optimization of the manufacturing process. This review also describes an integrated approach to drug formulation development using libraries of block copolymers as the drug carriers.
Animals↗
The three-decision problem in medical decision making.
Medical researchers and policy makers face decisions that require a choice from among two or more alternatives. Whereas traditional hypothesis tests cannot always serve the needs of the practitioner who needs to make a decision, a problem formulation that assigns losses to various incorrect decisions offers several advantages. With three possible decisions this approach offers a precise representation of the pragmatic and explanatory views of decision making. It enables the investigator to incorporate in the problem specification his attitudes about the seriousness of various errors by guiding him, before he sees the data, to a choice of asymmetric tail probabilities. It also suggests a reformulation of the P-value that can accommodate some of the difficulties practitioners face.
Biometry↗
Taste masking technologies in oral pharmaceuticals: recent developments and approaches.
Taste is one of the most important parameters governing patient compliance. Undesirable taste is one of several important formulation problems that are encountered with certain drugs. Oral administration of bitter drugs with an acceptable degree of palatability is a key issue for health care providers, especially for pediatric patients. Several oral pharmaceuticals, numerous food and beverage products, and bulking agents have unpleasant, bitter-tasting components. So, any pharmaceutical formulation with a pleasing taste would definitely be preferred over a competitor's product and would translate into better compliance and therapeutic value for the patient and more business and profits for the company. The desire of improved palatability in these products has prompted the development of numerous formulations with improved performance and acceptability. This article reviews the earlier applications and methodologies of taste masking and discusses the most recent developments and approaches of bitterness reduction and inhibition for oral pharmaceuticals.
Administration, Oral↗