scholarly journals A Collaborative Approach between Japan and China for Implementing Interlaboratory Evaluation of Olfactometry

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaya Higuchi ◽  
Weifang Li ◽  
Jing Geng ◽  
Gen Wang ◽  
Kumiko Shigeoka

Odor measurement is a crucial element of odor management and regulation. This paper introduced a collaborative implementation of interlaboratory evaluation of olfactometry between Japan and China. An international comparison of olfactometry using the triangular odor bag method was carried out for the first time between Japan and China in 2018. A total of 134 olfactometry laboratories (130 Japanese and 4 Chinese) participated in the test, and the odor index of the test odorant (dimethyl disulfide with a concentration of 10.7 ppm) was measured three times at each laboratory. In the interlaboratory evaluation, a reference value and repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations were determined on the basis of measurement results of 13 ‘excellent qualified laboratories’ designated by the Japan Association on Odor Environment. Evaluation results of trueness and precision of the 133 laboratories that conducted duplicate or triplicate measurements showed that 110 (108 Japanese and 2 Chinese) and 104 (102 Japanese and 2 Chinese) laboratories (82.7% and 78.2%) conformed to the criterion of trueness and precision, respectively, and 87 (86 Japanese and 1 Chinese) laboratories (65.4%) conformed to both. Based on the meaningful experiences in 2018, a continuous international collaboration between Japan and China in the field of olfactometry should be implemented for the improvement of the quality of olfactometry laboratories and the reliability of odor measurement in both countries.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 463-478
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Crais ◽  
Melody Harrison Savage

Purpose The shortage of doctor of philosophy (PhD)–level applicants to fill academic and research positions in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) programs calls for a detailed examination of current CSD PhD educational practices and the generation of creative solutions. The intended purposes of the article are to encourage CSD faculty to examine their own PhD program practices and consider the perspectives of recent CSD PhD graduates in determining the need for possible modifications. Method The article describes the results of a survey of 240 CSD PhD graduates and their perceptions of the challenges and facilitators to completing a PhD degree; the quality of their preparation in research, teaching, and job readiness; and ways to improve PhD education. Results Two primary themes emerged from the data highlighting the need for “matchmaking.” The first time point of needed matchmaking is prior to entry among students, mentors, and expectations as well as between aspects of the program that can lead to students' success and graduation. The second important matchmaking need is between the actual PhD preparation and the realities of the graduates' career expectations, and those placed on graduates by their employers. Conclusions Within both themes, graduate's perspectives and suggestions to help guide future doctoral preparation are highlighted. The graduates' recommendations could be used by CSD PhD program faculty to enhance the quality of their program and the likelihood of student success and completion. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.11991480


2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 311-322
Author(s):  
Robert J. Litwin ◽  
Johanna L. Chan ◽  
Steven Y. Huang

AbstractMalignant bowel obstruction (MBO) is a relatively common condition affecting patients with advanced malignancy. Therapeutic interventions should be aimed at maintaining quality of life. Given the lack of prospective controlled studies in this patient population, patient management is often based on local practice patterns and anecdotal experience. To foster a collaborative approach among the members of the patient care team involving internal medicine, oncology, palliative care, clinical nutrition, surgery, gastroenterology, and interventional radiology physicians, it is important to improve our understanding of MBO. The purpose of this article is to describe the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, as well as medical, surgical, and nonsurgical palliative options available to patients with MBO for purposes of decompression and nutrition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-54
Author(s):  
Namin Namin

Abstrak: Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan tujuan meningkatkan kompetensi guru di SDN Tlambah 2, Kabupaten Karangpenang Sampang. Perencanaan pembelajaran tematik dalam meningkatkan kualitas pembelajaran tematik. Subjek penelitian dalam penelitian tindakan kelas ini adalah guru kelas di Sekolah Dasar Negeri Tlambah 2, Kabupaten Karangpenang Sampang. Penelitian tindakan kelas ini dilaksanakan dalam dua siklus, menggunakan tahapan perencanaan, tindakan, observasi dan refleksi dalam setiap siklus. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis secara kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Dari penelitian tindakan kelas ini disimpulkan bahwa supervisi kelompok dengan pendekatan kolaboratif dapat meningkatkan kompetensi guru kelas di SDN Tlambah 2 Kabupaten Karangpenang Sampang.   Kata kunci: kolaboratif, kompetensi, tematik     Abstract: This research was conducted with the aim of increasing the competency of teachers in SDN Tlambah 2, Karangpenang Sampang District, Spreading thematic learning planning in improving the quality of thematic learning. Research subjects in this action research are low grade teachers in Tlambah 2 Public Elementary School, Karangpenang Sampang District. School action research means it is carried out in two cycles, using the stages of planning, action, observation and reflection in each cycle. The collected data is analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. From this school action research concludes that group supervision with a collaborative approach can improve the competence of classroom teachers in SDN Tlambah 2, Karangpenang Sampang District.   Keywords: collaborative, competence, thematic


2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2363-2366
Author(s):  
Delia Nica Badea

The paper evaluates the presence and content of traces of heavy metals Hg, Pb, Ni, Cd (total forms) from coal and solid combustion products, the degree of transfer and accessibility in the area of influence of a lignite power plant. The content of toxic heavy metals in residues are characterized by RE Meiji [ 1 (Pb and Hg) and REMeij �1 (Ni and Cd) for the filter ash. Pb and Ni content in the soil exceeds normal values, and Pb exceeds and alert value for sensitive soils around the residue deposit (70.20 mg.Kg-1). The degree of accessibility of the metals in plants (TF), reported at the Khan reference value (0.5), indicates a significant bioaccumulation level for the metals: Cd (1.9) and Hg (0.6) inside the deposit; Cd (0.39) at the base of the deposit, Hg (0.8) in the area of the thermal power plant. The trace levels of heavy metals analyzed by GFAAS and CVAAS (Hg), indicates a moderate risk potential for food safety and quality of life in the studied area.


Author(s):  
Mohamad Hossein Pourhanifeh ◽  
Kazem Abbaszadeh-Goudarzi ◽  
Mohammad Goodarzi ◽  
Sara G.M. Piccirillo ◽  
Alimohammad Shafiee ◽  
...  

: Melanoma is the most life-threatening and aggressive class of skin malignancies. The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased. Metastatic melanoma is greatly resistant to standard anti-melanomatreatments such as chemotherapy, and 5-year survival rate of cases with melanoma who have metastatic form of disease is less than 10%. The contributing role of apoptosis, angiogenesis and autophagy in the pathophysiology of melanoma has been previously demonstrated. Thus, it is extremely urgent to search for complementary therapeutic approachesthat couldenhance the quality of life of subjects and reduce treatment resistance and adverse effects. Resveratrol, known as a polyphenol component present in grapes and some plants, has anti-cancer properties due to its function as an apoptosis inducer in tumor cells, and anti-angiogenic agent to prevent metastasis. However, more clinical trials should be conducted to prove resveratrol efficacy. : Herein, for first time, we summarize current knowledge of anti-cancerous activities of resveratrol in melanoma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Domenico Cuda ◽  
Sara Ghiselli ◽  
Alessandra Murri

Abstract Background Prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Its estimated prevalence is 40–50 % in people over 75 years of age. Recent studies agree that declinein hearing threshold contribute to deterioration in sociality, sensitivity, cognition, and quality of life for elderly subjects. The aim of the study presented in this paper is to verify whether or not rehabilitation using first time applied Hearing Aids (HA) in a cohort of old people with hearing impairment improves both speech perception in a noisy environment over time and the overall health-related quality of life. Methods The monocentric, prospective, repeated measurements, single-subject, clinical observational study is to recruit 100 older adults, first-time HA recipients (≥ 65 years).The evaluation protocol is designed to analyze changes in specific measurement tools a year after the first HA usage in comparison with the evaluation before HA fitting. Evaluations will consist of multiparametric details collected through self-report questionnaires completed by the recipients and a series of commonly used audiometric measures and geriatric assessment tools. The primary indicator of changes in speech perception in noise to be used is the Italian version of Oldenburg Satz (OLSA) test whereas the indicator of changes in overall quality of life will be the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) and Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) questionnaires. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) will help in screening the cognitive state of the subjects. Discussion The protocol is designed to make use of measurement tools that have already been applied to the hearing-impaired population in order to compare the effects of HA rehabilitation in the older adults immediately before first HA usage (Pre) and after 1 year of experience (Post). This broad approach will lead to a greater understanding of how useful hearing influences the quality of life in older individuals, and therefore improves potentials for healthy aging. The data is to be analyzed by using an intrasubject endpoint comparison. Outcomes will be described and analyzed in detail. Trial registration This research was retrospectively registered underno. NCT04333043at ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/) on the 26 March 2020. This research has been registered with the Ethics Committee of the Area Vasta Emilia Nord under number 104, date of approval 17/07/2017.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 814
Author(s):  
Münir Aktaş ◽  
Sezayi Özübek ◽  
Mehmet Can Uluçeşme

Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes tick-borne fever in small ruminants. Recently, novel Anaplasma variants related to A. phagocytophilum have been reported in ruminants from Tunisia, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and China. Based on 16S rRNA and groEL genes and sequencing, we screened the frequency of A. phagocytophilum and related variants in 433 apparently healthy small ruminants in Turkey. Anaplasma spp. overall infection rates were 27.9% (121/433 analyzed samples). The frequency of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like 1 infections was 1.4% and 26.5%, respectively. No A. phagocytophilum-like 2 was detected in the tested animals. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was comparable in species, and no significant difference was detected between sheep and goats, whereas the prevalence significantly increased with tick infestation. Sequencing confirmed PCR-RFLP data and showed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and A. phagocytophilum-like-1 variant in the sampled animals. Phylogeny-based on 16S rRNA gene revealed the A. phagocytophilum-like 1 in a separate clade together with the previous isolates detected in small ruminants and ticks. In this work, A. phagocytophilum-like 1 has been detected for the first time in sheep and goats from Turkey. This finding revealed that the variant should be considered in the diagnosis of caprine and ovine anaplasmosis.


1995 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon J Taylor

AbstractObjective: In recent years a number of articles have highlighted deficiencies in drinking histories taken by junior doctors. This study examines whether standards have improved as a result. It also examines for the first time: 1. the quality of drinking histories taken from patients following parasuicide; and 2. the quality of illicit drug usage histories.Method: An audit of case notes was undertaken of 114 patients admitted to a district hospital's acute psychiatric wards or assessed following overdose. Two periods were considered; one preceding many of the articles, and the second four years later.Results: There was an overall improvement from 58% of histories in 1988 having no mention of alcohol usage to 25% in 1992. (X2MH=10.57, p<0.01). There was, however, insufficient improvement of quantitative histories to reach statistical significance. Histories taken as part of an overdose assessment were not significantly different from those taken for inpatient admission. In 1992, 27% of patients had any illicit drug usage history recorded which represented a statistically significant improvement (X2MH=5.91, p<0.02) compared with four years earlier.Conclusions: Although improvements have been noted, alcohol and drug histories remain inadequate.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003072702110242
Author(s):  
Max Rünzel ◽  
Paolo Sarfatti ◽  
Svetlana Negroustoueva

When evaluating Quality of Science (QoS) in the context of development initiatives, it is essential to define adequate criteria. The objective of this perspective paper is to show how altmetric and bibliometric indicators have been used to support the evaluation of QoS in the 2020 Review of the Phase 2-CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs, 2017–2022), where, for the first time, the Quality of Research for Development (QoR4D) frame of reference has been utilized across the entire CGIAR CRP portfolio. Overall, the CRP review showed a significant output of scientific publications during the period 2017–2020, with 4,872 articles, 220,101 references, and 7.1 citations per article. Additionally, wider interest in scientific publications is demonstrated by good to high altmetrics, with average attention scores ranging from 70.8 to 806.9 with an average of 425.1. The use of selected bibliometrics was shown to be an adequate tool, for use together with other qualitative indicators to evaluate the QoS in the 12 CRPs. The CRP review process clearly demonstrated that standardized, harmonized and consistent data on research output is paramount to provide high-quality quantitative instruments and should be a priority throughout the transition toward One CGIAR. Therefore, we conclude that the QoR4D framework should be augmented by standardized bibliometric indicators embedded in measurement frameworks within the new One CGIAR. Finally, its practical utilization in monitoring and evaluation should be supported with clear guidelines.


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