2,741 research outputs found
Reformulating the rj-McMC Algorithm for 3D Inversion of Passive Seismic Data for Near-Surface Characterization
No full textGeophysical subsurface characterization techniques could, due to their non-invasive nature, play a crucial role in the design and subsequent construction of infrastructure in urban & industrial environ- ments. Geo-data specialist company Fugro sees potential in upgrading their current ambient-seismic- noise-tomography workflow, to make use of state-of-the-art inversion schemes with the main goal of increasing the quality and accuracy of the initial-site characterization delivered to clients. In this thesis I explore the feasibility of utilizing the reverse-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (rj-McMC) algorithm for the inversion of ambient seismic noise for characterization in urban & industrial environments. Specif- ically, testing the potential of scaling down this inversion algorithm to fit in a small scale, near-surface framework. To achieve this, I first carried out analyses to evaluate the appropriate Rayleigh wave frequency range, after which realistic noise hyperparameters, suited for this reduced scale problem, were obtained. Because of the potential exploitation of in-situ borehole measurements, I reformulated the Bayesian prior within the rj-McMC algorithm to implement these constraining shear wave velocity values appropriately. I conducted extensive synthetic experiments to gain insight into the behavior of this adapted algorithm, from which it was concluded that the inherent dynamic discretization partially prevents these constraints from being implemented to their full extent. Nevertheless, promising results lead me to conclude that the use of the rj-McMC algorithm for application in near-surface urban & industrial environments is feasible.Applied Geophysics | IDEA Leagu
Index cholecystectomy rates in mild gallstone pancreatitis: a single-centre experience
No full textBackground Gallstone pancreatitis (GSP) has evidence-based guidelines regarding management. Both the International Association of Pancreatology/American Pancreatology Association and American College of Gastroenterology recommend index admission cholecystectomy (IAC) in patients presenting with mild GSP. The aim of this study was to examine guideline adherence and GSP recurrence rate when IAC was not performed. A comparison between admitting specialty was also performed to examine the difference in compliance rates.Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients who presented to the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service with GSP from December 2013 to December 2016. Patient demographics, timing of surgery, admitting specialty, laboratory and imaging results were recorded.Results A total of 95 patients were identified with a first presentation of mild GSP during the study period. Of whom, 66 (69.5%) underwent IAC and 29 (30.5%) were discharged prior to cholecystectomy with 10 of those patients receiving index admission endoscopic sphincterotomy. Five patients (17%) who did not receive IAC were readmitted with gallstone-related complications with the mean time to re-presentation of 12.8 days (range 7-21 days). Patients were more likely to receive IAC when admitted under surgery compared with gastroenterology (76% versus 20%, P < 0.001).Conclusion Two out of three patients presenting with mild GSP underwent IAC in accordance with evidence-based management guidelines. Patients should be admitted under a surgical service to prevent delay in definitive management
Clowns, Fools, and Killers: An Exploration of Horror, Comedy, and Madness Through the Roles of Murderer 2 and Sir Richard Ratcliffe in William Shakespeare\u27s Richard III
No full textThis document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author RJ Magee’s artistic and scholarly process in creating the roles of Murderer 2 and Sir Richard Ratcliffe in William Shakespeare’s Richard III. The production was performed as part of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s mainstage season in October of 2022. In five chapters, this thesis chronicles the actor’s process: a preproduction analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal and performance journal, a post-production analysis, and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included
Potential application of item-response theory to interpretation of medical codes in electronic patient records
No full textBackground: electronic patient records are generally coded using extensive sets of codes but the significance of the utilisation of individual codes may be unclear. Item response theory (IRT) models are used to characterise the psychometric properties of items included in tests and questionnaires. This study asked whether the properties of medical codes in electronic patient records may be characterised through the application of item response theory models.Methods: data were provided by a cohort of 47,845 participants from 414 family practices in the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD) with a first stroke between 1997 and 2006. Each eligible stroke code, out of a set of 202 OXMIS and Read codes, was coded as either recorded or not recorded for each participant. A two parameter IRT model was fitted using marginal maximum likelihood estimation. Estimated parameters from the model were considered to characterise each code with respect to the latent trait of stroke diagnosis. The location parameter is referred to as a calibration parameter, while the slope parameter is referred to as a discrimination parameter.Results: there were 79,874 stroke code occurrences available for analysis. Utilisation of codes varied between family practices with intraclass correlation coefficients of up to 0.25 for the most frequently used codes. IRT analyses were restricted to 110 Read codes. Calibration and discrimination parameters were estimated for 77 (70%) codes that were endorsed for 1,942 stroke patients. Parameters were not estimated for the remaining more frequently used codes. Discrimination parameter values ranged from 0.67 to 2.78, while calibration parameters values ranged from 4.47 to 11.58. The two parameter model gave a better fit to the data than either the one- or three-parameter models. However, high chi-square values for about a fifth of the stroke codes were suggestive of poor item fit.Conclusion: the application of item response theory models to coded electronic patient records might potentially contribute to identifying medical codes that offer poor discrimination or low calibration. This might indicate the need for improved coding sets or a requirement for improved clinical coding practice. However, in this study estimates were only obtained for a small proportion of participants and there was some evidence of poor model fit. There was also evidence of variation in the utilisation of codes between family practices raising the possibility that, in practice, properties of codes may vary for different coder
1959 First Year Students
No full textBlack and white photo.Back - PD Watson, RW Dellow, JWR Bowering, AR Grieve, K Sobels, LM Goode, RNS Bickford, JP Reddin, JF Williams; middle - IC Mill, J Hardy, HK Smith, DJ Hall, PB West, CM Greenfield, IM Williams, IB MacRae, RAT Woodward, EC McNally; front - RJ Driver, BA Cowan, DN Yeaman, TJ Henderson, JAW Stain, CR Turner, JRE Rebbeck, RW Reeves, MJ Seppelt; seated - IE Hay, JD Sluiter, NW Trent, Dr RN McCulloch (Principal), Mr E Hiddle (Housemaster), GP Renner, CH Kay, MJB Tandy
Radiation-induced root surface caries restored with glass-ionomer cement placed in conventional and ART cavity preparations: Results at two years
No full textThe document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association (8th Jan 2008). An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Background: There are no published studies comparing the clinical performances of more-viscous glass-ionomer cement (GIC) restorations when placed using conventional and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) cavity preparation methods to restore root surface caries. Methods: One dentist used encapsulated Fuji IX GP and Ketac-Molar to restore 72 conventional and 74 ART cavity preparations for 15 patients who had received cervicofacial radiation therapy. Two assessors evaluated the restorations at six, 12, and 24 months for retention, marginal defects and surface wear, and recurrent caries. Results: After two years, the cumulative restoration successes were 65.2 per cent for the conventional and 66.2 per cent for the ART cavity preparations, without statistical or clinical significance (P>0.50). Restoration dislodgement accounted for 82.8 per cent and marginal defects for 17.2 per cent of all failures. There were no instances of unsatisfactory restoration wear or recurrent caries observed. Teeth with three or more restored cervical surfaces accounted for 79.3 per cent of all failures (P<0.0001). Conclusions: For root surface caries restored with GIC, the use of hand instruments only with the ART method was an equally effective alternative to conventional rotary instrumentation for cavity preparation. Larger restorations had higher failures, usually from dislodgement.JY Hu, XC Chen, YQ Li, RJ Smales and KH Yi
Nutritional care: implications and recommendations for nursing
No full textNutrition is a basic human requirement with both physiological and psychosocial dimensions that affect wellbeing. In times of illness ensuring adequate nutrition is particularly important because of the central part it plays in healing and recovery. This article explores the premise that current nutritional care in nursing practice is often inadequate with the result that patients’ nutritional requirements are not met. It investigates the causative factors of poor nutritional care in nursing practice, the implications of such practice for both the patient and the professional, and proposes a number of recommendations for future change
Paediatric use of melatonin (Author reply to D. J. Kennaway).
No full textComment on
Paediatric use of melatonin. [Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2015]
Current role of melatonin in pediatric neurology: clinical recommendations. [Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2015
Chemical reaction of fly ash
No full textIn a previous paper, Brouwers and Van Eijk presented a theoretical study on the dissolution (reaction) of pulverised powder coal fly ash. This fly ash was modelled as hollow spheres, and a shrinking core model was derived for these hollow spheres that contain two regions (an outer hull and an inner region). The obtained analytical equations were applied to the dissolution experiments by Pietersen, yielding reaction rates at various temperatures and pH for two class F fly ashes. Based on the observed trends, in the present paper a reaction mechanism is proposed for the glass phase which accounts for the oxide composition of the fly ash (and that is applicable to slags as well). Finally, using the reaction product, the following thermodynamic properties of the studied fly ashes are derived: the free energy, enthalpy and entropy of reaction. The values obtained are in
line with those of known substances: silica and an aluminosilicate (2SiO2.Al2O3)
Platelet-rich plasma and macular hole surgery: A clue to their mode of action and the influence of anti-platelet agents
No full text\ua9 The Author(s) 2022. Purpose: To present a case of refractory full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), in which autologous platelet-rich plasma (aPRP) was used on two consecutive occasions, and associated with successful closure only after complete cessation of anti-platelet therapy. Methods: Interventional case report. Results: A 63-year-old male with Alport syndrome underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas for a large FTMH. The patient was on systemic anti-platelet agents for coronary disease. Post-operatively, the FTMH remained open and repeated surgery, augmented with aPRP, was performed. Although a thick pre-retinal coagulum was evident on optical coherence tomography on day one post-surgery, the second surgery failed. Ultimately, successful aPRP-augmented surgical closure of the FTMH was achieved only after complete cessation of systemic anti-platelet agents. Conclusion: Appropriate management of anti-platelet therapy may be relevant when planning aPRP use, though further large-scale studies are needed to assess the precise effect of anti-platelet therapy on the efficacy of aPRP, and to confirm the potential role of aPRP in patients with Alport syndrome
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