2,190 research outputs found
The value of a combined multi-disciplinary nutritional gastroenterology clinics in managing patients with intestinal failure and complex nutritional problems
No full textAn increasing number of patients have chronic intestinal failure (IF) or other problems needing nutritional support. These patients need regular input from gastroenterologists, nutrition nurse specialists and dietitians, but traditionally these healthcare professionals see them separately. Here the authors describe their experience of a combined regional nutritional gastroenterology clinic and outline strategies that can avoid the need for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) or intravenous fluids in most cases. Over a 1-year period, 73 patients attended their clinic, with the majority (74%) coming from their own catchment area of 500 000. Of the 63 patients with IF, 49 had short bowel syndrome. 38 of the patients with IF (60%) could be managed with dietary and pharmacological modifications alone, while eight (13%) needed enteral tube feeding and 17 (27%) HPN or intravenous fluids. However, only nine (53%) of the 17 patients referred from other centres specifically for HPN instigation actually needed HPN or intravenous fluids. Patient satisfaction with the combined multidisciplinary clinic was high, with 85% of patients preferring to be seen within this model of outpatient care, although questionnaire response rates were low. The authors have therefore shown that a multidisciplinary nutritional gastroenterology clinic can provide effective patient-centred care and can minimise the need for invasive and costly intravenous nutritional support. Clinics of this type should be an integral part of the current plans to implement regional IF services
The application of artificial neural networks to interpret acoustic emissions from submerged arc welding
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Automated fusion welding processes play a fundamental role in modern manufacturing industries. The proliferation of joint geometries together with the large permutation of associated process variable configurations has given rise to research into complex system modelling and control strategies. Many of these techniques have involved monitoring of not only the electrical characteristics of the process but visual and acoustic information. Acoustic information derived from certain welding processes is well documented as it is an established fact that skilled manual welders utilise such information as an aid to creating an optimum weld. The experimental investigation presented in this thesis is dedicated to the feasibility of monitoring airborne acoustic emissions of Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) for diagnostic and real time control purposes. The experimental method adopted for this research takes a cybernetic approach to data processing and interpretation in an attempt to replicate the robustness of human biological functions. A custom designed audio hardware system was used to analyse signals obtained from bead on mild steel plate fusion welds. Time and frequency domains were used in an attempt to establish salient characteristics or identify the signatures associated with changes of the process variables. The featured parameters were voltage / current and weld travel speed, due to their ease of validation. However, consideration has also been given to weld defect prediction due to process instabilities. As the data proved to be highly correlated and erratic when subjected to off line statistical analysis, extensive investigation was given to the application of artificial neural networks to signal processing and real time control scenarios. As a consequence, a dedicated neural based software system was developed, utilising supervised and unsupervised neural techniques to monitor the process. The research was aimed at proving the feasibility of monitoring the electrical process parameters and stability of the welding process in real time. It was shown to be possible, by the exploitation of artificial neural networks, to generate a number of monitoring parameters indicative of the welding process state. The limitations of the present neural method and proposed developments are discussed, together with an overview of applied neural network technology and its impact on artificial intelligence and robotic control. Further developments are considered together with recommendations for future areas of research
Ligand stabilised heterometallic clusters of Ruthenium
No full textH3Ru3(CO)9(μ3-COMe) can be readily deprotonated to generate the cluster anion [H2Ru3(CO)9(μ-COMe)]^-. This anion reacts with MPPh_3Cl (M = Cu, Ag or Au) or [Rh(CO)_3(PPh_3)_2]^+ to give the tetranuclear species H_2Ru_3(CO)_9(μ3-COMe)(MPPh_3) or H_2Ru_3(CO)_9(μ3COMe)(Rh(CO)_2PPh)_3 respectively which consist of a tri-ruthenium unit face-bridged by COMe and edge-bridged by the heterometal. The clusters H_2Ru_3(CO)_9(μ3-COMe)(MPPh_3) react rapidly with PPh_3 to form the monosubstituted derivatives H_2Ru_3(CO)_8PPh_3(μ3-COMe)(MPPh_3) which have analogous structures. H_2Ru_3(CO)_9(μ3-COMe)(Rh(CO)_2PPh_3) rearranges with loss of CO to give H_2Ru_3Rh(CO)_10PPh_3(μ-COMe) which consists of a tetrahedral metal core with a Ru-Ru bond edge-bridged by COMe. In solution, this cluster exits as 2 isomers, the structure of the most abundant of these corresponding to that in the solid state. Treatment of H2Ru3Rh(CO)10PPh(μ-COMe) with K[HBBu^s_3] forms an anionic mixture of [H_2Ru_3Rh(CO)_11PPh_3]^- and [HRu_3Rh(CO)_10PPh_3(COMe)]^-. [H_2Ru_3Rh(CO)_11PPh_3]^- has a tetrahedral metal core with an arrangement of ligands analogous to that of Rh_4(CO)_12. Reaction of the anionic mixture with [Rh(CO)_3(PPh_3)_2]^+ generates H_2Ru_3Rh_2(CO)_12(PPh_3)_2 which has a trigonal bipyramidal (tbp) metal core with the 2 Rh atoms occupying the apical sites. Reaction of the anionic mixture with AuPPh_3Cl leads to isolation of HRu_3RhAu(CO)_10(PPh_3)_2(μ3-COMe) and H_2Ru_3RhAu(CO)_11(PPh_3)_2 with the former also consisting of a tbp metal core. The reaction of [H_2Ru_3(CO)_9 (μ3-COMe)]^- with [Rh(CO)_3(PPh_3)_2]^+ also leads to formation of HRu_3(CO)_9PPh_3 (μ-COMe), HRu3(CO)8(PPh3)2 (μ-COMe) and H_2Ru_3Rh(CO)_8(PPh_3)_3 (μ-COMe). HRu3(CO)9PPh3 (μ-COMe) has a structure analogous to that of HRu_3(CO)_10 (μ-COMe) but with an equatorial CO ligand bound to one of the bridged Ru atoms replaced by PPh3. Cooling a solution of this species leads to the formation of 2 isomers due to loss of rotation of the COMe ligand about the C-OMe bond, each isomer arising from a different orientation of the Me group. The anion [H2Ru3(CO)9(μ3-COMe)]- also reacts with Rh(CO)(PPh3)2Cl which generates the heterometallic cluster H2Ru3Rh(CO)9(PPh3)2(μ-COMe). In solution, this cluster exists as 4 isomers at room temperature and 5 isomers at 213K with a general structure believed to be similar to that shown by H_2Ru_3Rh(CO)_10PPh_3(μ-COMe).</p
Edward Stroud and Albion Fox Ballenger
No full textAlbion Fox Ballenger (left) was an early Seventh-day Adventist minister and author. In 1890, Albion was elected as secretary of the National Religious Liberty Association and by 1893 served as assistant editor of the American Sentinel magazine. Edward Stroud Ballenger (right) was also a minister, critic of Adventism, and editor of "The Gathering Call." Between 1905 and 1909 Edward served on the educational committee of the conference, usually identified as the secretary. After his brother Albion moved to southern California, probably in 1908, Edward seems to have become critical of the church
Search for multiple targets of different colours: misguided eye movements reveal a reduction of colour selectivity
No full textSearching for two targets simultaneously is often less efficient than conducting two separate searches. Eye movements were tracked to understand the source of this dual-target cost. Findings are discussed in the context of security screening. In both single-target and dual-target search, displays contained one target at most. Stimuli were abstract shapes modeled after guns and other threat items. With these targets and distractors, color information was more helpful in guiding search than shape information. When the two targets had different colors, distractors with colors different from either target were fixated more often in dual-target search than in single-target searches. Thus a dual-target cost arose from a reduction in color selectivity, reflecting limitations in the ability to represent two target features simultaneously and use them to guide search. Because of these limitations, performance in security searches may improve if each image was searched by two screeners, each specializing in a different category of threat ite
Reduced parenteral nutrition and fluid requirements following anastormosis of a short residual colonic segment to a short jejunum
No full textALGUNAS REFLEXIONES ACERCA DE LA INTERPRETACIÓN DE B. STROUD DE LOS ARGUMENTOS ANTIESCÉPTICOS KANTIANOS
No full textIn his work "Kant and Skepticism", B. Stroud analyses the way in which trascnedental idealism is incompatible with Descartes' skeptical position. The "Copernican revolution" enables us to remove the "scandal to philosophy" posed by the problem of our knowledge of the esternal world. The objects around us in space are dependent on our sensibility and our understanding and it is only because that is true that we can perceive those objects directly and therefore can be noninferentially certain of their reality.
Although I agree with this view, I try to demonstrate in my paper that those aspects of the kantian theory that Stroud emphasizes are not sufficent to refute Cartesian skepticism. The author ignores som thesis of Kant's doctrine of temporality that are required for establishing that inner experience depends on outer experience, and that there cannot be, therefore, a systematic delusion or a permanent dream.En su trabajo "Kant and Skepticism", B. Stroud analiza cómo el idealismo trascendental es incompatible con la posición escéptica de Descartes. La "revolución copernicana" nos permite remover el "escándalo de la filosofía" originado en el problema del conocimiento del mundo exterior. Los objetos que nos rodean en el espacio depende de nuestra sensibilidad y de nuestro entendimiento. Y es precisamente por esto que podemos percibir dichos objetos directamente y tener una certeza no-inferencial de su realidad.
Si bien estoy de acuerdo con este punte de vista, me propongo en mi trabajo demostrar que aquellos aspectos de la teoría kantiana que Stroud destaca no son suficientes para refutar el escepticismo cartesiano. El autor pasa por alto algunas tesis de la doctrina del tiempo de Kant que son necesarias para establecer que la experiencia interna depende de la externa, y que no puede darse, por ende, una ilusión sistemática o un sueño permanente
The relationship between leadership competence and employee engagement:
No full textEmployee engagement has been shown to lead to a number of meaningful business benefits, including increased productivity, improved individual and organizational performance, and heightened organizational commitment. Although considerable research has demonstrated the influence of line managers on the engagement of their direct reports, Harter, Schmidt, and Hayes (2002) suggest that companies could learn much about the management practices that drive business outcomes by studying their
own highly engaged organizational units. The present study utilized a Fortune 500 multinational corporation’s leadership competency model multi-rater feedback and employee engagement instruments to explore the relationship between the leadership competencies of senior organizational leaders (N=163) and the engagement of employees in their organizational units. The overall model of leadership competence predicted a significant proportion of variance in engagement when utilizing either the direct report or combined
rater source scores. In addition, results indicate that Integrity and Collaboration and Teaming are two specific competencies among senior leaders that appear to have meaningful positive relationships with employee engagement. Contrary to expectations, the bivariate correlation between the Self-Awareness and Adaptability competency of senior leaders and employee engagement was not significant. More surprisingly, when the other competencies were controlled statistically, the relation was negative. Finally,
the direct report rater source provided competency scores that were the best predictors of employee engagement. This raises a possible concern that the relation is partly due to engaged workers providing more positive ratings and, similarly, that less engaged workers provide more negative ratings of their leaders. Results are interpreted in the context of three theoretical perspectives on employee engagement. Limitations, implications for practice, and directions for future research are also discussed.Psy.DIncludes bibliographical references (p. 115-120)by Robert N. Strou
Bronze Age tin-bronze metalwork assemblages in Kent: Composition, distribution and context
No full textThe main objectives of this thesis are to analyse and discuss Bronze Age tin-bronze assemblages in Kent, the study area, with focus on their composition, distribution and context.
The purpose of this thesis is largely in response to Professor Richard Bradleys following statement;
‘All too often, studies of such deposits have been concerned with content rather than context. This is a tradition that can be traced at least as far back as the work of Sir John Evans (1881). Since so little is known about the circumstance in which this material was deposited, it is perhaps a moot point whether such chronologies can be entirely reliable, but in the present account they are followed for want of anything better.’ (Bradley, 1998, 13)
The corpus of data comprises 66 assemblages identified in the subject area, given in Chapter 3 in the form of Datasheets and in the Appendices, in the form of graphs, a Compendium of Assemblages and maps. Comparisons are also made in relation to distribution alongside Bronze Age settlement, monuments and topographical data.
The thesis includes Methodology for collation of the corpus of research, followed by Distribution, Analysis, Assemblages in Retrospect and Current Thinking, Discussion and a Conclusion. The Discussion focuses on context of assemblages and metalworking from the subject area and the Bronze Age in northern Europe.
The Conclusion draws largely on the Analysis and data compiled from the Appendices, which have provided some fascinating and unexpected results that will hopefully provide further impetus for academic discussion and deliberation.
The thesis also recommends some further areas of research that would be of great benefit, particularly in the realm of non-destructive metallurgical analysis
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