Concordance Between The Schedule for The Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life – Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW) and The EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) Measures of Quality of Life Outcomes in Adults With X-linked Hypophosphatemia.

BACKGROUNDAccurate measurement of any constructs in clinical studies is of critical importance, especially if the adoption of an intervention relies on detecting a significant treatment effect where one exists. Under Neutral theory, the amount of relevant and irrelevant indicators selected to operationalise the construct contribute equally to the accuracy of the observation. The Neutral or accurate observation is achieved by observing all relevant indicators only. Generic QoL instruments such as EQ-5D are increasingly being accepted as inaccurate, especially in rare diseases, based on the relevance of their indicators. QoL is a construct that embodies a patient's subjectivity, individuality, and local circumstances at measurement. SEIQoL-DW is an instrument designed to respect these characteristics of QoL through eliciting indicators or cues directly from the subject along with the proportion of the overall QoL they contribute. EQ-5D and SEIQoL can therefore be considered as being at opposing ends of accuracy in QoL measurement. XLH is a hereditary, progressive, rare disease characterised by phosphate wasting, affecting both children and adults and impacting their QoL. The purpose of this study was to observe if any change in QoL of adult XLH patients were detectable using EQ-5D, SEIQoL eliciting new cues at each visit, and SEIQoL administering baseline cues overall visits (thereby silencing its time-dependency) versus baseline over 12 months. Secondly, to explore any association between the three sets of observations.RESULTSAll quality of life scores were observed to decrease from baseline by 13.36%, 7.32%, and 2.7% based on SEIQoLvisit_cues, SEIQoLbaseline_cues, and EQ-5D assessments, respectively. The decrease in the quality of life scores was only statistically significant (p=0.037) for SEIQoLvisit_cues. Beyond the baseline visit, the only highly positive and statistically significant pairwise association was between SEIQoLvisit_cues and SEIQoLbaseline_cues at M6 (ρ=0.782, P value<0.05) and M9 (ρ=0.879, P value<0.05).CONCLUSIONSEQ-5D and SEIQoLbaseline_cues failed to detect the same statistically significant decrease in QoL observed by SEIQoLvisit_cues. Both sets of SEIQoL observations were more closely associated with each other than with EQ-5D. Observing constructs such as QoL in rare diseases benefit from a Neutrality in indicator selection and respecting variation in dominance of various indicators over time.

Diagnosis of Tilted Weather Radars Using Solar Interference

For mechanically scanning weather radars, precise pointing of the antenna is a key factor in ensuring accurate observation of the atmosphere at far range. Since operational radars typically scan the atmosphere using a series of 360° sweeps at fixed elevation angles, level scanning during azimuthal rotation is also important, but often not actively monitored after installation.One method of gauging pointing accuracy of a radar is to use solar interference which occurs as the antenna sweeps past the sun. By comparing the observed position of the sun with its known position, an estimate of pointing error in both elevation and azimuth can be obtained. A basic model for this error assumes that the radar sweep is perfectly level and that biases in elevation are therefore independent of azimuth. We extend this model to allow for the possibility that the plane of rotation may not be level. Consequently, the direction and severity of tilt may be diagnosed in addition to any constant error in elevation and azimuth pointing.The extended model was applied to a subset of radars from the Australian weather radar network resulting in the discovery of several out of level radars. One radar, Captains Flat near Canberra, showed a severe tilt of 0.81° prompting inspection by a technician. This revealed that mounting studs on the pedestal of the radar tower were badly worn and loose. Correction of this issue resolved the tilt component of the diagnosed elevation error and prevented further mechanical damage to the instrument.

OILMAP and ArcGIS provide qualitative validation of USCG Sector Geographic Response Strategies

With the promulgation of the Coast Guard's requirement for Geographic Response Strategies (GRS) Tiered Validation levels, oil spill modeling transitioned from being a reactive tool to a predictive instrument that can guide the placement of limited mission critical resources (boom, boats, personnel, skimmers, etc.) based on threats from current or forecasted operations. In collaboration with the RPS Group, the Coast Guard's Sector Delaware Bay and District Five, members of the Coast Guard Academy employed the OILMAP Oil Spill Modelling Program with ArcGIS to test and validate operational Area Contingency Plan's (ACP) Geographic Response Strategies (GRS). OILMAP is a rapid and effective modelling system that allows for accurate observation of oil movement and weathering. The scenarios were manipulated to effectively test the booming strategies currently in place and worst-case winds at 5 and 10 knots were utilized. The project also identified discrepancies with projected strategies due to changes in the environment. In subsequent studies, the OILMAP output layers of shoreline oiling and oil particle location were combined with the publicly available Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) shoreline data to quantify the impact of booming strategies. The success observed in both the qualitative and quantitative analysis show great promise in the future of establishing a methodology to optimize booming strategies based on data-driven scenarios tailored to each unique spill, season and weather condition.

Brain power: seek it if you can.

This chapter discusses the knowledge and thinking of the farmers. Phil was certainly not bereft of ideas. He muses on issues of sheep psychology and behaviour and wonders if understanding the inner mental workings of his charges would help in their management. One cannot decide this without understanding issues around animal behaviour as Phil recognizes. Peter is fully of the opinion that imagination is a critical skill in many farm issues. Brad muses about the power of a brain and the need to store, literally, millions of bits of information relevant to primary production. Also, he emphasized to himself the need for complete and accurate observation both on and off the farm to obtain the current state of affairs both farmwise and market and conditions-wise.

Formation Control for Multiple Quadrotor Aircraft via Fixed-time Consensus Algorithm

This paper mainly studies the formation control problem of multiple quadrotor aircraft via fixed-time control theory. First, based on the bilimit homogeneous theory and the framework of multiagent theory, for multiaircraft, a fixed-time formation control strategy is proposed. Considering the external disturbance existing on the attitude loop of the aircraft, the corresponding fixed-time disturbance observer is designed with the observer technology. Then, a fixed-time attitude controller is designed based on the accurate observation and fast compensation from the disturbance observer. Finally, some simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical method.

Bertahan Sampai Kesudahan Akan Diselamatkan

The case that is quite serious in theology is the doctrine of salvation, there is also a text which may confuse readers of the Bible if it does not have the ability to expose the Bible, Matthew 24:13, which can reveal that those who endure to the end are saved that, defense is an effort in every human being to strengthen himself or confirm life against all the problems he faces. It is important to note also that survival also does not always explain an active action to boast of itself, but surviving can be understood as a definite action subjected to actions by other people, other events. Then last into a passive position where people are required to be ready to bear claim, action or punishment; related to the concept of human salvation that God works fully. But there is a time when humans are obliged to survive. An idea more suitable to understand the text of Matthew 24:13, requires accurate observation of the Gospel of Matthew to understand actely the entire discussion from Matthew 24:13, must read and understand this paper from beginning to end. Because the questions relating to blessed salvation and those who survive in Matthew 24:13, are discussed in this scientific work.

On the relativity of old and new media: A lifeworld perspective

It is an old, yet, accurate observation that the ‘newness’ of media is and most probably will continue to be a catalyst for research in media and communication studies. At the same time, there are numerous academic voices who stress that studying media change demands an awareness of the complexities at play interweaving the new with the old and the changes with the continuities. Over the last decades, compelling theoretical approaches and conceptualizations were introduced that aimed at grasping what defines old and new media under the conditions of complex, disruptive media change. Drawing from this theoretical work, we propose an empirical approach that departs from the perception of media users and how they make sense of media in their everyday affairs. The article argues that an inquiry of media change has to ground the construction of media as old or new in the context of lifeworlds in which media deeply affect users on a daily basis from early on. The concept of media ideology (Gershon, 2010a, 2010b) is used to investigate notions of ‘oldness’ and ‘newness’ people develop when they renegotiate the meaning of media for themselves or collectively with others. Based on empirical data from 35 in-depth interviews, distinct ways how the relativity but also relationality of old and new media are shaped against each other are identified. In the analysis, the article focuses on the aspects of rhetoric, everyday experiences, and emotions as well as on media generations, all of which inform media ideologies and thereby influence how media users define old and new media.

Mecca Almukaramah at the beginning of the seventh century AH (13 AD) through Ibn Almugawer's journey (Clairvoyant's History)

In the two years (625-626 AH) (1227-1228 AD), Ibn Almugawer gave a precise description of Mecca Almukaramah in his era, pointing to the importance of Mecca Almukaramah and its religious rank. The material presented by him is of great importance because it filled a gap in the traveling and geographical information of Mecca Almukaramah at the beginning of the seventh century AH (13 AD), especially since Ibn Almugawer was not just a chatty and a historian, but also a traveler with accurate observation. In view of the importance of the book from the scientific and historical point of view, we have decided to re-consult it, especially to its most documented editions (Oscar Lofgren Verification), to explore its material about Makkah Almukaramah and to vet some of its details and references that reflect an important phase in the history of Mecca Almukaramah, for the paucity of the writing about and the disturbance of the available historical material around it.