An observation instrument for the description and evaluation of patient transfer technique

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of an observation instrument for patient transfer. The instrument, which consisted of 23 items, was evaluated on five different patient transfer tasks. A weighted score was included to evaluate the performed transfer technique. Four observers were selected for the assessment of instrument intra- and inter-observer reliability. Instrument validity was evaluated by testing whether the instrument could detect a difference between use of a self-chosen and a recommended transfer technique. Furthermore, calculated compression values at L4-L5 were compared with the weighted score for the different transfer technique situations. Eleven items were reliable. Nine items deserve further attention and three items were not reliable. The weighted score was significantly higher for the recommended transfer technique situations (p < 0.01) and an association between the weighted score and the calculated compression values was observed (r = -0.589).     

Validation of an instrument for patient handling assessment

Nursing personnel are at high risk from work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially back symptoms. Handling patients has been established as one of the factors playing an important role in the etiology of occupational low back pain. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument for patient handling assessment and to determine its validity and reliability. Instrument validity was established based on content and construct validity. Reliability was estimated through homogeneity, stability (test-retest) and equivalence (interrater) tests. Reliability estimated by internal consistency reached a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.81. Pearson's correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was r = 0.92. There was an excellent agreement between observers, according to the k values (Kappa = 0.92). Interobserver (interrater) reliability was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient, reaching an r value of 0.84. The agreement between both observers was also fairly good (Kappa = 0.84). The results of the current study show that the instrument seems to be reliable and valid for patient handling assessment.     

A computerized method for assessment of musculoskeletal discomfort in the workforce: a tool for surveillance

A musculoskeletal discomfort survey was conducted to assess musculoskeletal discomforts among rural mail carriers in two post offices. Perceived musculoskeletal discomfort was collected directly from the workforce by means of a computerized discomfort assessment system (DAS). This investigation aimed at: (1)assessing the rural mail carrier's perception of DAS; and (2) assessing the rural mail carrier's musculoskeletal discomforts resulting from work. Most participants in the study found the computer tool easy to learn and easy to use. The information collected by DAS was used: (1) to determine the number of participating employees who were experiencing some kind of musculoskeletal problem; (2)to determine subtasks associated with discomfort; (3) to determine the body areas most affected by different subtasks; and (4) to investigate the patterns of discomfort that occurred with time.     

The use of the portable ergonomic observation method (PEO) to monitor the sitting posture of schoolchildren in the classroom

Contrary to common belief, back pain amongst young people is a frequent phenomenon. Epidemiological studies have found high prevalence rates of back pain amongst schoolchildren. The investigation reported here aims to validate children's self-reporting and the observation of sitting postures to establish the intensity, duration and frequency of exposure in the classroom. The sitting postures of 18 children were recorded using three methods, the portable ergonomic observation method (PEO), video analysis and self-report. The three methods were compared. PEO was significantly correlated with video analysis of the sitting postures after development of the method. Self-report was not significantly correlated with video analysis of the sitting postures. Therefore PEO was selected as the main observation tool in further analysis of children's sitting posture in schools in South-East England as part of a large research programme investigating back pain amongst schoolchildren.     

Evaluation of lifting and lowering velocities while using a patient lift for transfer during nursing care

Using a patient lift to assist in transfer can alleviate physical burden and reduce the risk of lower back disorders. However, it requires more time than applying manual transfer techniques, often resulting in caregivers opting out of its use. This study used two experiments to examine the lifting and lowering velocities experienced by caregivers and residents when using a patient lift during nursing care. In experiment 1, the usability, subjective assessment of velocity, heart rate (HR), electromyography (EMG), working time, and so on were measured at eight lift velocities (ranging from 0.01 to 0.15 m/s in 0.02 m/s intervals) during the transfer task of 10 female students in a laboratory. In experiment 2, the same measured parameters as in experiment 1 except for HR and EMG were measured at four lift velocities (ranging from 0.03 to 0.09 m/s in 0.02 m/s intervals) during the transfer task of six elderly residents by 12 caregivers at an elderly care facility. The residents and caregivers rated 0.05–0.09 m/s as appropriate velocities in both experiments. Specifically, the best velocities for lowering the lift without the resident, lifting with the resident, and lowering were 0.07–0.09 m/s, 0.05–0.07 m/s, and 0.05 m/s, respectively. We conclude that the studied velocities are appropriate when the lift is used by caregivers at an elderly care facility. Since the appropriate velocity is different for each transfer subtask, we suggest that manufacturers should program suitable velocities into lifts according to the subtasks deemed important by the caregivers.     

LNG冷能利用方案的本质安全性评价

为了获得本质安全性较高的LNG冷能利用方案,利用本质安全指标法评价了3个可选方案,根据评价结果对方案进行了优选。首先介绍了本质安全及典型的指标型本质安全评价方法,阐述了本质安全指标法的结构及其评分体系;应用本质安全指标法分别评价了LNG与空气换热,LNG与污氮换热,LNG与氮气、空气换热3个LNG冷能回收利用方案,得到它们的本质安全指标值分别为21,20,18;结果表明LNG与氮气、空气换热方案的本质安全指标值最低,即其本质安全性最高,主要原因是用氮气作中间介质能够消除潜在的LNG与空气、或污氮混合而引发爆炸的可能性;最后,确定该方案的本质安全性最佳,并给出了该方案的流程图。本研究改良了LNG冷能利用方案的本质安全性并对方案的优选提供了数据支持。     

基于虚拟仪器技术的蓄电池监测系统的设计与实现

介绍了一个基于虚拟仪器技术、实用的阀控铅酸蓄电池组监测系统,该系统可对分散在不同地点的设备实行统一的检测、参数记录和报表打印等日常管理工作。给出了系统的硬件组成及软件模块功能,并在此基础上,讨论了深入利用NI的DataSocket技术,组建基于Web的测控网络,通过Web服务器完成相关的测试功能,充分实现信息共享。     

A direct algorithm for checking equivalence of LL(k) grammars

We deal with the problem of testing equivalence of two LL(k) grammars. The problem had been shown to be decidable for general k by Rosenkrantz and Stearns [2], who solved it by reduction into an equivalence problem for special DPDA's. In a paper by Korenjak and Hopcroft [1] the equivalence problem for LL(1) grammars is solved by a branching algorithm operating directly on the grammars. Our work presents a direct branching algorithm for the general LL(k) grammars equivalence problem.     

A novel modified undersampling (MUS) technique for software defect prediction

Background and aim: Many sophisticated data mining and machine learning algorithms have been used for software defect prediction (SDP) to enhance the quality of software. However, real‐world SDP data sets suffer from class imbalance, which leads to a biased classifier and reduces the performance of existing classification algorithms resulting in an inaccurate classification and prediction. This work aims to improve the class imbalance nature of data sets to increase the accuracy of defect prediction and decrease the processing time . Methodology: The proposed model focuses on balancing the class of data sets to increase the accuracy of prediction and decrease processing time. It consists of a modified undersampling method and a correlation feature selection (CFS) method. Results: The results from ten open source project data sets showed that the proposed model improves the accuracy in terms of F1‐score to 0.52 ～ 0.96, and hence it is proximity reached best F1‐score value in 0.96 near to 1 then it is given a perfect performance in the prediction process. Conclusion: The proposed model focuses on balancing the class of data sets to increase the accuracy of prediction and decrease processing time using the proposed model.     

A swift technique for damage detection of determinate truss structures (2)

This paper introduces a novel and robust probable statistical approach for the applied damage detection of determinate truss structures. This technique involves two steps; the first is called most probable damaged element identification step and the second is called probable damage severity prediction step. In the first step, a new index based on modal residual forces plays a major role to independently identify damage-suspected elements for each considered mode. Then among them, the elements, the most probable to damage, are extracted. In the second step, the probable damage severity for each most probable damaged element is individually predicted using a novel statistical approach. Finally, to justify the validity and robustness of the technique, three commonly used bridge trusses including a 29-bar Pratt truss, a 29-bar Warren truss, and finally, a 37-bar K truss under different damage scenarios are thoroughly studied while their modal parameters are corrupted by noise. The obtained results indicate that the method is innovatively capable of swiftly predicting, for determinate truss structures, not only damaged elements but also their damage severities by carrying out solely few structural analyses.

     

A validation study of the Keyboard Personal Computer Style instrument (K-PeCS) for use with children

This study examines a potential instrument for measurement of typing postures of children. This paper describes inter-rater, test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Keyboard Personal Computer Style instrument (K-PeCS), an observational measurement of postures and movements during keyboarding, for use with children. Two trained raters independently rated videos of 24 children (aged 7-10 years). Six children returned one week later for identifying test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing ratings obtained using the K-PECS to scores from a 3D motion analysis system. Inter-rater reliability was moderate to high for 12 out of 16 items (Kappa: 0.46 to 1.00; correlation coefficients: 0.77-0.95) and test-retest reliability varied across items (Kappa: 0.25 to 0.67; correlation coefficients: r = 0.20 to r = 0.95). Concurrent validity compared favourably across arm pathlength, wrist extension and ulnar deviation. In light of the limitations of other tools the K-PeCS offers a fairly affordable, reliable and valid instrument to address the gap for measurement of typing styles of children, despite the shortcomings of some items. However further research is required to refine the instrument for use in evaluating typing among children.     

A hybrid fuzzy evaluation method for safety assessment of food-waste feed based on entropy and the analytic hierarchy process methods

The product safety of food-waste feed is the key factor limiting the development of its industrial chain. In this paper, we construct a method based on data from the testing of food-waste feed with comprehensive evaluation of its product safety by integrating fuzzy mathematics effectively, i.e., the entropy method (EM), and the model of the analytic hierarchy (AHP) process. Furthermore, a hierarchical three-level evaluation-index system including biological-safety and chemical-safety considerations is first established via data analysis, data surveys and expert experiential investigation as well, with an actual case in China being fully applied. In addition, we apply the EM and AHP process to calculate the weights of the individual evaluation indices. Finally, through the dimensionless treatment of test data from samples, we determine the degree of membership of each test value relative to the different levels of safety using a trapezoidal membership function. By adopting the developed three-level model of fuzzy mathematics for comprehensive evaluation, we derive the safety grades of tested samples. The comprehensive evaluation method developed in this paper can effectively overcome the shortcomings of traditional single-factor evaluation and offer the qualitative and quantitative advantages of expert survey and basic data research as well. As a result, it is considerably applicable for the product-safety analysis and production control of animal feed generated from food waste.     

空分压缩机组安全完整性技术等级(SIL)技术评估应用及分析

依据相关IEC和API标准,对空分装置三大机组(蒸汽透平、空压机和增压机)的安全联锁系统(SIS)做了安全完整性等级(SIL)技术评估,确定了空分三大机组安全联锁系统中的安全联锁功能(SIF),给出了各安全联锁功能(SIF)所需达到的安全完整性等级(SIL),提出并分析了空分三大机组安全联锁系统中存在的多个典型问题,最后针对问题分别给出了相应的改进建议。研究结果对空分装置三大机组和类似机组的安全、稳定、长周期运行有借鉴意义。     

A novel technique for the direct determination of multimode equivalent circuit models for substrate integrated waveguide discontinuities

A novel technique is presented for the automatic, self‐consistent and direct determination of wide‐band lumped‐element equivalent circuit models of substrate integrated waveguide discontinuities. This technique is based on the full‐wave analysis of substrate integrated waveguide components by using the Boundary Integral‐Resonant Mode Expansion method, which provides a generalized admittance matrix of the components in the form of a pole expansion in the frequency domain. This expression of the admittance matrix permits to directly identify the topology of a multimodal equivalent circuit and the values of its lumped elements, thus avoiding any initial guess or fitting procedure. The basic theory of the full‐wave analysis method and the procedure for determining the equivalent circuit model are reported. The features of the proposed technique are detailed through the modeling of an iris‐like discontinuity. Moreover, this technique is validated by modeling substrate integrated waveguide filters, whose frequency response is compared with numerical and experimental results. The proposed method can be adopted to obtain libraries of parametric models of substrate integrated waveguide discontinuities, which can be included in computer aided design tools. The multimodal parametric model of an iris‐like discontinuity is presented and discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2009.     

基于直接估计法的NGM(1,1) 模型拓展

从近似非齐次指数序列的GM(1,1) 模型时间响应函数出发, 推导累加序列间的函数递推关系, 并给出求解时间响应函数参数值的直接估计方法. 在此基础上, 构建一种能同时模拟近似齐次和近似非齐次指数序列的新NGM(1,1) 模型, 该模型避免了模型参数估计从差分方程到微分方程的跳跃性误差, 并从理论上解释了新模型能模拟 齐次指数序列和非齐次指数序列的原因. 通过对新NGM(1,1) 模型与既有模型进行比较, 表明了所提出模型具有更优良的模拟和预测性能.

     

A direct branching algorithm for checking equivalence of strict deterministic vs. LL(k) grammars

We present here an equivalence checking algorithm which operates directly on a pair of strict deterministic vs. LL(k) grammars. It is also straightforwardly applicable to a pair of LL(k) grammars, though an LL(k) grammar is not necessarily strict deterministic. The basic idea is from Korenjak and Hopcroft's branching algorithm for simple deterministic grammars, but ours is so distinguished that it is throughout free from mixing the nonterminals of the respective grammars in question and then very simple.     

A portable ergonomic observation method (PEO) for computerized on-line recording of postures and manual handling

A new portable ergonomic observation method (PEO) is presented. It is applicable to most professions and work tasks and requires only moderate human resources for data collection and analysis. Observations are made in real time directly at the workplace using a portable personal or hand-held computer, and data are accessible for immediate analysis and presentation. Duration and number of events are calculated for postures at four body regions (arms, neck, trunk and knee) as well as for manual handling. An evaluation of the PEO method, assessing some important aspects of internal validity as well as intra- and inter-observer reliability, was carried out using video recordings. It showed acceptable validity for some types of physical exposure, and high intra- and inter-observer reliability. Practical experiences from using the PEO method in a field study and further improvements of the method are discussed.     

A novel prediction technique to improve quality of service (QoS) for heterogeneous data traffic

The present and future high-speed networks are expected to support wide variety real-time applications. However, the current Internet architecture offers mainly best-effort service. It means that the network will do its best to deliver the data at the destination without any guarantee. But the future integrated services networks will require guarantee for transferring heterogeneous data. There are many parameters involved in improving the Quality of Service (QoS). QoS is a set of service requirements to be met by the network while transporting a flow. In this paper, we consider four primary parameters are such as reliability, delay, jitter, bandwidth which together determine the QoS. The requirements of the above parameters will vary from one application to another application. Applications like file transfer, remote login, etc., will require high reliability. But, applications like audio, video, etc., will require low reliability, because they can tolerate errors. The objectives of this paper are to propose a novel technique to predict reason(s) for deterioration in the QoS and to identify the algorithm(s)/mechanism(s) responsible for the deterioration. We are sure that this paper will give better results to improve the QoS and to improve the performance of the network.     

A numerical investigation of direct and indirect closed-loop architectures for estimating nonminimum-phase zeros

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a numerical investigation of three direct architectures and three indirect architectures for identifying a plant operating in closed loop. Motivated by adaptive control of systems with nonminimum-phase (NMP) zeros and taking advantage of the fact that zeros are not moved by feedback, the performance metric is the accuracy of the estimates of the NMP zeros of the plant. Assuming known plant order, single-input, single-output, infinite-impulse-response models are constructed in the presence of process and sensor noise. Least squares provides the baseline estimation technique, and prediction error methods are used to account for correlation between the model input and noise. The goal is to compare the accuracy of the NMP-zero estimates obtained from each method and for each architecture.