scholarly journals Simple principles for engineering reproducible solutions to environmental management challenges.

Author(s):  
Christopher J Lortie ◽  
Malory Owen

An environmental management challenge is an opportunity to use fundamental science to inform evidence-based decisions for environmental stakeholders and conservationists. Contemporary science is embracing open science and increasingly conscious of reproduciblility. Synergistically, applying these two paradigms in concert advances our capacity to move beyond context dependency and singlular thinking to reverse engineer solutions from published scientific evidence associated with one challenge to many. Herein, we provide a short list of principles that can guide those that seek solutions to address environmental management through primary scientific literature.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J Lortie ◽  
Malory Owen

An environmental management challenge is an opportunity to use fundamental science to inform evidence-based decisions for environmental stakeholders and conservationists. Contemporary science is embracing open science and increasingly conscious of reproduciblility. Synergistically, applying these two paradigms in concert advances our capacity to move beyond context dependency and singlular thinking to reverse engineer solutions from published scientific evidence associated with one challenge to many. Herein, we provide a short list of principles that can guide those that seek solutions to address environmental management through primary scientific literature.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 178
Author(s):  
Jefferson Petto ◽  
Igor Macedo De Oliveira ◽  
Alice Miranda De Oliveira ◽  
Marvyn De Santana Do Sacramento

The earliest accounts of scientific thought date back to thousands of years BC, where problems in the daily lives of our predecessors led to the search for effective and replicable forms of resolution. Nowadays, in the advent of science and technology, health professionals' decision making has been organized based on the analysis of the diverse evidence available in the scientific literature. This process has been identified Evidence Based Practice (EBP)...


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Bennett

The conservation community is increasingly focusing on the monitoring and evaluation of management, governance, ecological, and social considerations as part of a broader move toward adaptive management and evidence‐based conservation. Evidence is any information that can be used to come to a conclusion and support a judgment or, in this case, to make decisions that will improve conservation policies, actions, and outcomes. Perceptions are one type of information that is often dismissed as anecdotal by those arguing for evidence‐based conservation. In this paper, I clarify the contributions of research on perceptions of conservation to improving adaptive and evidence‐based conservation. Studies of the perceptions of local people can provide important insights into observations, understandings and interpretations of the social impacts, and ecological outcomes of conservation; the legitimacy of conservation governance; and the social acceptability of environmental management. Perceptions of these factors contribute to positive or negative local evaluations of conservation initiatives. It is positive perceptions, not just objective scientific evidence of effectiveness, that ultimately ensure the support of local constituents thus enabling the long‐term success of conservation. Research on perceptions can inform courses of action to improve conservation and governance at scales ranging from individual initiatives to national and international policies. Better incorporation of evidence from across the social and natural sciences and integration of a plurality of methods into monitoring and evaluation will provide a more complete picture on which to base conservation decisions and environmental management.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Roberson ◽  
Ryan L. Farmer ◽  
Steven Shaw ◽  
Shelley Upton ◽  
Imad Zaheer

Trustworthy scientific evidence is essential if school psychologists are to use evidence-based practices to solve the big problems students, teachers, and schools face. Open science practices promote transparency, accessibility, and robustness of research findings, which increases the trustworthiness of scientific claims. Simply, when researchers, trainers, and practitioners can ‘look under the hood’ of a study, (a) the researchers who conducted the study are likely to be more cautious, (b) reviewers are better able to engage the self-correcting mechanisms of science, and (c) readers have more reason to trust the research findings. We discuss questionable research practices that reduce the trustworthiness of evidence; specific open science practices; applications specific to researchers, trainers, and practitioners in school psychology; and next steps in moving the field toward openness and transparency.


2015 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 201-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarosława Belowska ◽  
Mariusz Panczyk ◽  
Aleksander Zarzeka ◽  
Joanna Gotlib

Abstract Introduction. Modern nursing practice requires Nursing students to expand their knowledge both in the field of specialized nursing and learning the basics of medicine, as based on scientific evidence. The dissemination of research activities in nursing and the development of the profession, knowledge and practice based on Evidence-based Nursing may contribute to the increase of the effectiveness and improving the quality of healthcare services. Nursing teaching curricula should include subjects related to Evidence-based Medicine, such as scientific research methodology or critical analysis of scientific literature. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students towards Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) and Evidence-based Nursing Practice (EBNP). Material and methods. Out of 127 Master’s degree students in Nursing at the Medical University of Warsaw (4 men), 72% work as a nurse. Mean age of the study group was 26.55 years (min. 22, max. 51, SD=7.52) with 63% of the students attending full-time studies, with 90% being students of the first year. Some 53% earned their bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2013. A standardized Evidence – Based Practice Profile Questionnaire from University of South Australia, quantitative analysis of the study results. Results. Nearly 30% of the respondents have never encountered EBM or EBNP during their time at the University (n=41). Most students intend to use relevant scientific literature in order to update their knowledge (n=68) and to upgrade their skills, so as to integrate EBNP into their everyday professional practice (n=67). Some 60% of the respondents deem scientific reports useful for their work (n=76) but nearly half of them regards clinical experience as more important than the results of scientific studies, when it comes to making the right decisions in their professional practice (n=56). Nearly a half of the studied group (n=66) have never heard about the term minimum clinically worthwhile effect and only one person declared the correct explanation systematic review (n=1). 42% declare reading published scientific studies once a month but nearly 30% have never referred scientific findings to their own diagnosis (n=41) and 40% have never assessed its methodological correctness (n=51). Conclusions. 1. The educational programs in the framework of Nursing studies should be supplemented with subjects of EBM and EBNP, so as to expand the nursing students’ knowledge and let them reap the benefits of using the latest study results in their future professional practice. 2. The level of knowledge about the principles of assessment of reliability of scientific evidence was strongly insufficient and requires urgent supplementation of knowledge and skills of students in this area. 3. It is necessary for students to update their knowledge, particularly when it comes to using the latest scientific literature in everyday clinical practice and skills connected with critical analysis of scientific evidence.


2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
Kathryn Mueller ◽  
Douglas Van Zet ◽  
Debra J. Northrup ◽  
Edward B. Whitney ◽  
...  

Abstract [Continued from the January/February 2004 issue of The Guides Newsletter.] To understand discrepancies in reviewers’ ratings of impairments based on different editions of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), users can usefully study the history of the revisions as successive editions attempted to provide a comprehensive, valid, reliable, unbiased, and evidence-based system. Some shortcomings of earlier editions have been addressed in the AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, but problems remain with each edition, largely because of the limited scientific evidence available. In the context of the history of the different editions of the AMA Guides and their development, the authors discuss and contextualize a number of key terms and principles including the following: definitions of impairment and normal; activities of daily living; maximum medical improvement; impairment percentages; conversion of regional impairments; combining impairments; pain and other subjective complaints; physician judgment; and causation analysis; finally, the authors note that impairment is not synonymous with disability or work interference. The AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, contrasts impairment evaluations and independent medical evaluations (this was not done in previous editions) and discusses impairment evaluations, rules for evaluations, and report standards. Upper extremity and lower extremity impairment evaluations are discussed in terms of clinical assessments and rating processes, analyzing important changes between editions and problematic areas (eg, complex regional pain syndrome).


Author(s):  
Роман Михайлович Морозов ◽  
Дмитрий Юрьевич Волков

Целью статьи было рассмотреть проблемные аспекты тактико-криминалистического применения технических средств при производстве допроса, предложить научно обоснованные рекомендации по их использованию. В статье раскрываются особенности применения технико-криминалистических средств процессуально уполномоченными должностными лицами органов предварительного следствия и дознания при производстве допроса подозреваемых (обвиняемых), в отношении которых избрана мера пресечения в виде заключения под стражу. По результатам проведенных исследований правоприменительной практики и научной литературы авторами раскрываются процессуальные и тактические основания и порядок применения технических средств при производстве допроса на отдельных его этапах, предлагаются решения проблем, связанных с применением технико-криминалистических средств, даются рекомендации по порядку применения отдельных технических средств. Выделяются наиболее целесообразные тактические приемы допроса при применении технических средств фиксации. Авторами предложены изменения в уголовно-процессуальное законодательство по совершенствованию законодательных норм в области применения технических средств при производстве следственных действий. Сформулированные в статье выводы могут быть использованы в правоприменительной практике следователями (дознавателями) при производстве допроса в следственном изоляторе, а также при преподавании отдельных дисциплин: «Уголовный процесс», «Криминалистика», а также специальных курсов (по выбору) уголовно-правового профиля. The purpose of the article was to consider the problematic aspects of the tactical and forensic use of technical means during the interrogation, to offer evidence-based recommendations for their use. The article reveals the features of the use of technical and forensic means by the procedurally authorized officials of the preliminary investigation and inquiry bodies during the interrogation of suspects (accused), in respect of which a preventive measure in the form of detention has been chosen. According to the results of the research of law enforcement practice and scientific literature, the authors reveal the procedural and tactical grounds and the procedure for the use of technical means during the interrogation at its individual stages, offers solutions to problems associated with the use of technical and forensic means, gives some recommendations on the order of application of individual technical means. The most appropriate tactics of interrogation, the use of technical facilities of fixation. The authors propose changes to the criminal procedure legislation to improve the legislative norms in the field of application of technical means in the investigative actions realization. The conclusions formulated in the article can be used in law enforcement practice by investigators (inquirers) during the interrogation in the pretrial detention center, as well as in the teaching of certain disciplines: «Criminal procedure», «Criminalistics», as well as special courses (optional) of criminal law profile.


Author(s):  
Ayda Hosseinkhani ◽  
Bijan Ziaeian ◽  
Kamran Hessami ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas ◽  
Ali Kashkooe ◽  
...  

Background: Cough is one of the most common medical symptoms for which medical advice is sought. Although cough is a protective reflex responsible for clearing the airways from secretions and foreign bodies, it can be a troublesome symptom that causes discomfort to patients. Due to the increasing interest in herbal remedies in the both developed and developing countries, in the current study, we aimed to overview medicinal herbs containing essential oils used as antitussive agents according to the Traditional Persian Medicine [TPM] textbooks. We summarized the relevant scientific evidence on their possible pharmacological actions. Methods: To collect the evidence for treatment of cough or “seaal” [cough in ancient books] from TPM sources, five main medicinal Persian manuscripts were studied. The antitussive herbs were listed and their scientific names were identified and authenticated in accordance with botanical reference books. ScienceDirect and PubMed online databases were searched for related mechanisms of action of the reported medicinal plants. Results: The number of 49 herbs containing essential oils were recommended in TPM for the treatment of cough; 21 of them had at least one known mechanism of action for cough suppression in the scientific literature. According to this review, most of the cited medicinal plants were assessed for either nitric oxide inhibitory or antitussive/expectorant activities. Conclusion: In addition to advantageous effects of antitussive herbs noted by TPM, the present review highlighted some recent evidence-based data on these promising candidates that could be used as an outline for future research on their medicinal use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna Lin ◽  
Christopher Prickett ◽  
Steven Woltering

Abstract Background Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today. While traditional treatment methods are plagued with stigma and transfer problems, newly developed wearable biofeedback devices may offer unexplored possibilities. Although these products are becoming commonplace and inexpensive, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these products is scarce and their feasibility within research contexts are relatively unexplored. Conversely, companies are not required, and possibly reluctant, to release information on the efficacy of these products against their claims. Thus, in the present pilot, we assess the feasibility of using a real-time respiratory-based biofeedback device in preparation for a larger study. Our main aims were to assess device-adherence and collaboration with the company that develops and sells the device. Method Data were collected from 39 college students who self-identified as experiencing chronic stress at a Southwestern university in the USA. Students were randomized into either a mindfulness-only control group without a biofeedback device (n = 21), or an experimental group with biofeedback device (n = 18). Both groups received mindfulness meditation training. Pre-test and post-test procedures were conducted 2 weeks apart. Further, both participant compliance and company compliance were assessed and collaboration with the company was evaluated. Results Participant device-adherence as well as the company’s collaboration necessary for a full-scale study was determined to be low. This may also have affected our results which showed a strong main effect for time for all outcome variables, suggesting all groups showed improvement in their levels of stress after the intervention period. No group by time effects were identified, however, indicating no added benefit of the biofeedback device. Conclusions Our findings suggest feasibility of future studies requires full collaboration and detailed and agreed upon data sharing procedures with the biofeedback company. The particular device under investigation added no value to the intervention outcomes and it was not feasible to continue a larger-scale study. Further, as the technology sector is innovating faster than it can validate products, we urge for open science collaborations between public and private sectors to properly develop evidence-based regulations that can withstand technological innovation while maintaining product quality, safety, and effectiveness. Trial registration NCT02837016. Registered 19 July 2016.


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