Identifying requirements for physics-based reasoning on function structure graphs

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiradeep Sen ◽  
Joshua D. Summers
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Idea Generation ◽  
Quantitative Reasoning ◽  
Quantitative Modeling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Function Structure ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Stage Analysis ◽  
Computational Reasoning ◽  
Potential Use

AbstractFunction-based design and modeling have been taught, studied, and practiced in various forms for several years with efforts centered on using function modeling to help designers understand problems or to facilitate idea generation. Only limited focus has been placed on potential use for qualitative and quantitative reasoning and analysis of the design concept. This potential for early stage analysis has not been fully explored partly because computational reasoning tools have not been developed for this express purpose. This paper presents a set of requirements and their justification to realize this design enabling tool. The requirements include coverage, consistency, validity against physics laws, domain neutrality, physics-based definitions, normative and descriptive modeling, and qualitative and quantitative modeling and reasoning. Each requirement is defined in concrete terms and illustrated with examples and logic. With the requirements for function-based reasoning and representation clearly identified, future research toward formalizing of function-based design will be more focused and objective validation of proposed representations against these requirements would be possible.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Job Performance: An Empirical Investigation

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Syed Mir Muhammad Shah ◽  
Abdul Halim Bin Abdul Majid ◽  
Altaf Hussain Samo ◽  
Pervaiz Ahmed Memon
Keyword(s):  
Transformational Leadership ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bank Managers ◽  
Stage Analysis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Data Screening

The main objective of the present paper is to assess the relationship between transformational leadership and job performance empirically. The study was conducted in the banking sector of Pakistan focusing on six large banks. A total number of 308 responses were collected through survey questionnaire from the bank managers. The data was then coded into SPSS for early stage analysis such as data screening. This was followed through applying SmartPLS to analyze the data and the results have been presented in its standard reporting style. The findings revealed a positive relationship between transformational leadership and job performance in banking sector of Pakistan supporting the hypothesized relationship. Finally, the paper has presented a way forward for future research.

Tailoring Design Development and Ideation in Catering To Industry Demands

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Fadila Mohd Yusof ◽  
Azmir Mamat Nawi ◽  
Azhari Md Hashim ◽  
Ahmad Fazlan Ahmad Zamri ◽  
Abu Hanifa Ab Hamid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Protocol Analysis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Idea Generation ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Conceptual Design Phase ◽  
Industry Practice

Design development is one of the processes in the teaching and learning of industrial design. This process is important during the early stage of ideas before continuing to the next design stage. This study was conducted to investigate the comparison between  academic  syllabus  and  industry  practices  whether  these  processes  are  highly dependent on the idea generation and interaction related to the designer or to the student itself. The data were gathered through an observation of industry practice during conceptual design phase, teaching and learning process in academic through Video Protocol Analysis (VPA) method and interviews with industry practitioners via structured and unstructured questionnaires. The data were analysed by using NVivo software in order to formulate the results. The findings may possibly contribute to the teaching and learning processes especially in the improvement of industrial design syllabus in order to meet the industry demands. Keywords: design development, industrial design, industry demands

Attraction of prey

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Horner ◽  
Bartosz J. Płachno ◽  
Ulrike Bauer ◽  
Bruno Di Giusto
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Synergistic Action ◽  
Carnivorous Plants ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Acoustic Cues ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Prey Attraction

The ability to attract prey has long been considered a universal trait of carnivorous plants. We review studies from the past 25 years that have investigated the mechanisms by which carnivorous plants attract prey to their traps. Potential attractants include nectar, visual, olfactory, and acoustic cues. Each of these has been well documented to be effective in various species, but prey attraction is not ubiquitous among carnivorous plants. Directions for future research, especially in native habitats in the field, include: the qualitative and quantitative analysis of visual cues, volatiles, and nectar; temporal changes in attractants; synergistic action of combinations of attractants; the cost of attractants; and responses to putative attractants in electroantennograms and insect behavioral tests.

scholarly journals Exploring International and Inter-Sector Differences of Social Enterprises in the UK and India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 5870
Author(s):  
Philipp Kruse
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Shape Features ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
The One ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Uk

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) describes a new entrepreneurial form combining the generation of financial and social value. In recent years, research interest in SE increased in various disciplines with a particular focus on the characteristics of social enterprises. Whereas a clear-cut definition of SE is yet to be found, there is evidence that culture and economy affect and shape features of SE activity. In addition, sector-dependent differences are supposed. Building on Institutional Theory and employing a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, this study sheds light on the existence of international and inter-sector differences by examining 161 UK and Indian social enterprises. A content analysis and analyses of variance were employed and yielded similarities as well as several significant differences on an international and inter-sector level, e.g., regarding innovativeness and the generation of revenue. The current study contributes to a more nuanced picture of the SE landscape by comparing social enterprise characteristics in a developed and a developing country on the one hand and different sectors on the other hand. Furthermore, I highlight the benefits of jointly applying qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Future research should pay more attention to the innate heterogeneity among social enterprises and further consolidate and extend these findings.

scholarly journals Hyperinsulinemia and Its Pivotal Role in Aging, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7797
Author(s):  
Joseph A. M. J. L. Janssen
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Insulin Clearance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Hepatic Insulin Clearance

For many years, the dogma has been that insulin resistance precedes the development of hyperinsulinemia. However, recent data suggest a reverse order and place hyperinsulinemia mechanistically upstream of insulin resistance. Genetic background, consumption of the “modern” Western diet and over-nutrition may increase insulin secretion, decrease insulin pulses and/or reduce hepatic insulin clearance, thereby causing hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia disturbs the balance of the insulin–GH–IGF axis and shifts the insulin : GH ratio towards insulin and away from GH. This insulin–GH shift promotes energy storage and lipid synthesis and hinders lipid breakdown, resulting in obesity due to higher fat accumulation and lower energy expenditure. Hyperinsulinemia is an important etiological factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature mortality. It has been further hypothesized that nutritionally driven insulin exposure controls the rate of mammalian aging. Interventions that normalize/reduce plasma insulin concentrations might play a key role in the prevention and treatment of age-related decline, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Caloric restriction, increasing hepatic insulin clearance and maximizing insulin sensitivity are at present the three main strategies available for managing hyperinsulinemia. This may slow down age-related physiological decline and prevent age-related diseases. Drugs that reduce insulin (hyper) secretion, normalize pulsatile insulin secretion and/or increase hepatic insulin clearance may also have the potential to prevent or delay the progression of hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases. Future research should focus on new strategies to minimize hyperinsulinemia at an early stage, aiming at successfully preventing and treating hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases.

scholarly journals Mobile three-dimensional visualisation technologies for clinician-led fall prevention assessments

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 788-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Hamm ◽  
Arthur G Money ◽  
Anita Atwal ◽  
Gheorghita Ghinea
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dimensional Measurement ◽  
Fall Risk Factors ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Process Guidance ◽  
Three Dimensional Measurement

The assistive equipment provision process is routinely carried out with patients to mitigate fall risk factors via the fitment of assistive equipment within the home. However, currently, over 50% of assistive equipment is abandoned by the patients due to poor fit between the patient and the assistive equipment. This paper explores clinician perceptions of an early stage three-dimensional measurement aid prototype, which provides enhanced assistive equipment provision process guidance to clinicians. Ten occupational therapists trialled the three-dimensional measurement aid prototype application; think-aloud and semi-structured interview data was collected. Usability was measured with the System Usability Scale. Participants scored three-dimensional measurement aid prototype as ‘excellent’ and agreed strongly with items relating to the usability and learnability of the application. The qualitative analysis identified opportunities for improving existing practice, including, improved interpretation/recording measurements; enhanced collaborative practice within the assistive equipment provision process. Future research is needed to determine the clinical utility of this application compared with two-dimensional counterpart paper-based guidance leaflets.

scholarly journals Development and Formative Evaluation of a Low-Fidelity Equine Castration Model for Veterinary Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Katie Sheats ◽  
Megan J. Burke ◽  
James B. Robertson ◽  
Katherine E. Fiebrandt ◽  
Callie A. Fogle
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Student Attitudes ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Veterinary Faculty ◽  
Fidelity Model

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are units of activity that early-stage professionals perform in the workplace that necessitate simultaneous integration of multiple competencies. EPA #6 requires students to perform a common surgical procedure on a stable patient, including pre-operative and post-operative management. Castration is one of the most common surgeries performed by equine primary care practitioners and is considered an “entry-level competency” for veterinary graduates entering equine private practice, however, to our knowledge there are no equine castration models available for veterinary student education. Therefore, we developed an inexpensive, low-fidelity model of equine field castration and evaluated it using a mixed-methods approach. Two different groups of students, with or without model experience, completed surveys before and after live horse castration. Students who used the model also completed model specific surveys. Videos of the students completing the model were evaluated by at least two different equine veterinary faculty using a 15-point rubric, and inter-rater reliability of the rubric was determined. After completing the model, students reflected on strengths and weaknesses of their performance. From our student survey results, we determined that student attitudes toward the model were mostly positive. Interestingly, there were several student attitudes toward the model that became significantly more favorable after live horse castration. Prior to live horse castration, there was no significant difference in confidence in model vs. no-model groups. Following live horse castration, students who used the model had higher confidence in procedure preparation and hand-ties than students who did not use the model, but they had lower scores for confidence during patient recovery. When reflecting on model castration, students most commonly cited preparation and surgical description as strengths, and ligature placement and hand-ties as weaknesses. Experts provided several suggestions to improve the model, including incorporation of emasculators and the need for better model stabilization. Our findings suggest that both students and veterinary educators feel that this low-fidelity model has educational value. Rubric performance metrics were favorable, but additional steps are needed to improve grading consistency among educators. Future research will determine whether student performance on the model is predictive of competence score during live-horse castration.

scholarly journals Developing a tool to assess technical skills in talented youth table tennis players—a multi-method approach combining professional and scientific literature and coaches’ perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene R. Faber ◽  
Till Koopmann ◽  
Dirk Büsch ◽  
Jörg Schorer
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Table Tennis ◽  
Professional Literature ◽  
Tennis Players ◽  
New Instrument

Abstract Background The assessment of technical skills as part of a multidimensional approach for talent identification and development in sports seems promising, especially in a technique-based sport like table tennis. However, current instruments mostly focus on a single element of technical skills, mainly use quantitative outcomes, and/or are not developed for talent purposes. Practice would benefit from a new instrument using a more ecologically valid approach. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the essential elements of technical skills in young table tennis players and to establish a first tool while using a multi-methods study design including an archive search for professional literature, a systematic search for scientific literature, as well as ten in-depth interviews with expert coaches. Results This approach taken ensured empirical findings to be combined with knowledge and experiences from the practical field and detailed explications by high-level expert coaches. Results for the literature searches yielded 23 professional and 21 scientific articles while data saturation was reached through all ten interviews. The triangulation process resulted in two general (i.e., individuality, interconnection between elements) and five specific (i.e., bat grip, ready position, footwork/body positioning, service, stroke) elements of technical skills in young table tennis players. In addition, criteria for both flawed and excellent executions were identified for each of the five specific elements. Finally, these results were used to create an observation sheet usable for an assessment during competition. Conclusions This study revealed the crucial elements of technical skills that should be taken into account when assessing sport-specific technical skills of youth table tennis players (8–12 years). Moreover, it provided concise descriptions of what is considered to be flawed or excellent executions of technical skills. Based on these findings, a first observation sheet, the Oldenburg observation sheet for Table Tennis Technique (O3T), was created to be used for the assessment of the current technical skill level within a competitive context at the early stage of a table tennis player’s career. Future research should focus on its measurement properties and its value within a multidimensional assessment for talent purposes.

scholarly journals Incorporating biomarkers in ecological risk assessment of chemical contaminants of soils

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-137
Author(s):  
A. J. Reinecke ◽  
S. A. Reinecke ◽  
M. S. Maboeta ◽  
J. P. Odendaal ◽  
R. Snyman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
South African ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chemical Contaminants ◽  
Toxic Response ◽  
Future Research Directions

Soil is an important but complex natural resource which is increasingly used as sink for chemicals. The monitoring of soil quality and the assessment of risks posed by contaminants have become crucial. This study deals with the potential use of biomarkers in the monitoring of soils and the assessment of risk resulting from contamination. Apart from an overview of the existing literature on biomarkers, the results of various of our field experiments in South African soils are discussed. Biomarkers may have potential in the assessment of risk because they can indicate at an early stage that exposure has taken place and that a toxic response has been initiated. It is therefore expected that early biomarkers will play an increasing role as diagnostic tools for determining exposure to chemicals and the resulting effects. They may have predictive value that can assist in the prevention or minimising of risks. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities of using our results on biomarker responses of soil dwelling organisms to predict changes at higher organisational levels (which may have ecological implications). Our recent experimental results on the evaluation of various biomarkers in both the laboratory and the field are interpreted and placed in perspective within the broader framework of response biology. The aim was further to contribute to the development and application of biomarkers in regulatory risk assessment schemes of soils. This critical review of our own and recent literature on biomarkers in ecotoxicology leads to the conclusion that biomarkers can, under certain conditions, be useful tools in risk assessment. Clear relationships between contamination loads in soil organisms and certain biomarker responses were determined in woodlice, earthworms and terrestrial snails. Clear correlations were also established in field experiments between biomarker responses and changes at the population level. This indicated that, in spite of the fact that direct mechanistic links are still not clarified, biomarkers may have the potential to provide early indications of forthcoming changes at higher organisational levels. Ways are proposed in which biomarkers could be used in the future in risk assessment schemes of soils and future research directions are suggested. 

scholarly journals The Theoretical Framework of the Clinical Pilates Exercise Method in Managing Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1096
Author(s):  
Boon Chong Kwok ◽  
Justin Xuan Li Lim ◽  
Pui Wah Kong
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Chronic Low Back Pain ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Directional Preference

Exercise plays an important role in rehabilitating people with chronic low back pain. Aerobic exercise and resistance training are general exercise strategies to manage chronic low back pain, but these strategies require longer intervention period to achieve clinical outcomes in pain reduction and functional improvements. Directional preference is recognised as an important exercise strategy in managing low back pain. The Clinical Pilates exercise method leverages on the directional preference of an individual to achieve clinical outcomes faster. Clinical Pilates is a hybrid of two of the best exercise interventions for low back pain, which are general Pilates and the McKenzie method. Due to the scarcity of Clinical Pilates literature, a review of its theory and studies was undertaken to provide a structured guide to the technique in managing people with chronic low back pain. Hypothetical algorithms are developed to support translation into clinical practice and future research studies. These algorithms are useful in the management of complex cases involving multiple directional trauma. Although limited, current evidence suggests that the Clinical Pilates exercise method is safe and provides faster functional recovery in the early stage of rehabilitation and similar longer term outcomes as general exercises.

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