Journal articles: 'Instrumental improvements'

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Chauvineau, B., A. Journet, G. Vigouroux, J. Kovalevsky, G. Billaud, R. Boche, and M. Furia. "CERGA Photoelectric Astrolabe — Computational and Instrumental Improvements." Symposium - International Astronomical Union 156 (1993): 131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0074180900173097.

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The compilation of three years of observations by the improved photoelectric astrolabe of CERGA has provided a star catalogue with an internal precision of 0.03″ in right ascension and 0.04″ in declination for 47 stars and a similar precision for 82 other stars solved only for right ascension (Vigouroux et al., 1992). The classical group reduction was used. External comparisons with preliminary HIPPARCOS positions showed that these numbers represent the accuracy of the catalogue. However, many changes in the instrument and in the reduction procedures are contemplated that should bring new significant improvements in these results.

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Clays, K., J. Jannes, Y. Engelborghs, and A. Persoons. "Instrumental and analysis improvements in multifrequency phase fluorometry." Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments 22, no. 5 (May 1989): 297–305. http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3735/22/5/006.

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Carpenter, P. "Microanalysis Standards and Instrumental Calibration: Practical Improvements in Analytical Confidence." Microscopy and Microanalysis 17, S2 (July 2011): 844–45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1431927611005095.

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Rickly, Pamela S., Lu Xu, John D. Crounse, Paul O. Wennberg, and Andrew W. Rollins. "Improvements to a laser-induced fluorescence instrument for measuring SO<sub>2</sub> – impact on accuracy and precision." Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 14, no. 3 (March 26, 2021): 2429–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/amt-14-2429-2021.

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Abstract. This work describes key improvements made to the in situ laser-induced fluorescence instrument for measuring sulfur dioxide (SO2) that was originally described by Rollins et al. (2016). Here, we report measurements of the SO2 fluorescence emission spectrum. These measurements allow for the determination of the most appropriate bandpass filters to optimize the fluorescence signal, while reducing the instrumental background. Because many aromatic species fluoresce in the same spectral region as SO2, fluorescence spectra were also measured for naphthalene and anisole to determine if ambient SO2 measurements could be biased in the presence of such species. Improvement in the laser system resulted in better tunability, and a significant reduction in the 216.9 nm laser linewidth. This increases the online/offline signal ratio which, in turn, improves the precision and specificity of the measurement. The effects of these improvements on the instrumental sensitivity were determined by analyzing the signal and background of the instrument, using varying optical bandpass filter ranges and cell pressures and calculating the resulting limit of detection. As a result, we report an improvement to the instrumental sensitivity by as much as 50 %.

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Patsan, Alexandr V., and Aelita V. Shaburova. "CONCEPT OF ACCELERATION OF THE SYSTEM OF ECONOMIC PRODUCTION AT THE INSTRUMENTAL ENTERPRISE." Interexpo GEO-Siberia 6, no. 2 (July 8, 2020): 41–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.33764/2618-981x-2020-6-2-41-47.

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The article considers the reasons for improving the concept of lean production at an instrument-making enterprise. For a visual representation of the state of the organization, a comparison of methods and tools of lean production with the current situation of lean production at JSC "NIP" is presented. A set of organizational measures is presented, consisting of several stages for sorting equipment, cleaning equipment, standardizing and performing improvements, systematization and continuous offer of improvements and their implementation. On the example of two parts manufactured at an instrument-making plant, the principle of technological measures to improve the implementation of lean production is presented. The result after technological measures is shown in detail per shift. A plan of improvement of all enterprises of the instrument-making industry is considered, according to the developed organizational and technical measures for JSC «NIP»

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Fujara, Franz, Danuta Kruk, and Alexei F. Privalov. "Solid state Field-Cycling NMR relaxometry: Instrumental improvements and new applications." Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy 82 (October 2014): 39–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnmrs.2014.08.002.

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Sinha, Prabha, Anita Dutta, and Kate Langford. "Instrumental delivery: how to meet the need for improvements in training." Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 12, no. 4 (October 2010): 265–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1576/toag.12.4.265.27619.

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Kachel, Volker. "Investigations into Coulter Sizing of Biological Particles; Theoretical Background and Instrumental Improvements." Particle & Particle Systems Characterization 3, no. 2 (July 1986): 45–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ppsc.19860030202.

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Chen, Ke, Vivian Wei Qun Lou, and Selina Siu Ching Lo. "A Tablet-Based Volunteer-Mediated Intervention for Cognitively Impaired Older People: A Pretest–Posttest." Research on Social Work Practice 30, no. 3 (July 11, 2019): 288–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049731519863103.

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Purpose: This study evaluated the potential effectiveness of a tablet-based, volunteer-led intervention (Lok Chi In-home Training) for cognitively impaired older people in improving cognitive and emotional health. Method: A one-group pretest and posttest design was adopted, involving 57 community-dwelling older people with cognitive impairments (Montreal Cognitive Score between 13 and 22, without neuropsychiatric behavioral problem). Trained volunteers performed eight in-home training sessions using a tablet to facilitate. Outcome measures include cognitive function, depression, activity of daily living, and instrumental activity of daily living. Results: A paired sample t test indicated that after receiving Lok Chi In-home Training, participants showed significantly large improvements on cognitive ability, moderate improvements on depression, and small improvements on instrumental activity of daily living. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility and potential benefits of Lok Chi intervention for improving cognition and emotion.

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Solodova, Rozaliia F., Vladimir V. Galatenko, Eldar R. Nakashidze, Sergey G. Shapovalyants, Igor L. Andreytsev, Mikhail E. Sokolov, and Vladimir E. Podolskii. "Instrumental Mechanoreceptoric Palpation in Gastrointestinal Surgery." Minimally Invasive Surgery 2017 (2017): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6481856.

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Background and Aims. Small gastric or colorectal tumours can be visually undetectable during laparoscopic surgeries, and available methods still do not provide a 100% localisation rate. Thus, new methods for further improvements in tumour localisation are highly desirable. In this study, we evaluated the usage of the Medical Tactile Endosurgical Complex (MTEC) in gastrointestinal surgery for localisation of tumours. The MTEC provides the possibility of instrumental mechanoreceptoric palpation, which serves as an analogue of conventional manual palpation.Methods. Ninety-six elective surgeries were performed, including 48 open surgeries, 43 laparoscopies, and 5 robot-assisted surgeries. The 20 mm version of the MTEC tactile mechanoreceptor was used in open surgeries, and the 10 mm version in laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries.Results. The mean time of instrumental mechanoreceptoric palpation was 3 minutes 12 seconds for open surgeries, which constituted the early stage of the learning curve, and 3 minutes 34 seconds for laparoscopic surgeries. No side effects or postoperative complications related to instrumental mechanoreceptoric palpation were observed, and this procedure provided data sufficient for tumour localisation in more than 95% of cases.Conclusion. Instrumental mechanoreceptoric palpation performed using MTEC is a simple, safe, and reliable method for tumour localisation in gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery.

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Sloan, Frank A., Linda K. George, and Linyan Hu. "Productivity Improvements in Hip and Knee Surgery." Arthritis 2014 (February 20, 2014): 1–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/615784.

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Productivity improvements that occur as technologies become widely used are not well documented. This study measured secular trends over 1998–2010 in productivity of hip and knee procedures gauged in terms of changes in physical function and pain after versus before surgery. We used data from the Health and Retirement Study. Health outcomes from surgery were measured by 6 physical functioning scales and 2 pain indicators. We used propensity score matching to obtain nonsurgery control groups. Not only were there substantial improvements in physical functioning and pain reduction after receipt of these procedures in all years, but also we documented improvements in health outcomes over time. Largest improvements were for reductions in numbers of Activity and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living limitations for knee procedures.

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Kurrat, R., M. Textor, J. J. Ramsden, P. Böni, and N. D. Spencer. "Instrumental improvements in optical waveguide light mode spectroscopy for the study of biomolecule adsorption." Review of Scientific Instruments 68, no. 5 (May 1997): 2172–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1148069.

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Tracy, Bryan M. "Semiconductor Microscopy - Microscopy at the Instrumental Performance Limit." Microscopy and Microanalysis 7, S2 (August 2001): 512–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1431927600028634.

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The microscopy to support process development of Si-based semiconductors has consistently required state-of-the-art instrumentation. As the industry strains to achieve 1 OOnm design rules, this requirement has never been more pronounced. This paper presents TEM, SEM and FIB examples with a focus on using the instrumentation near the performance limit.Transmission Electron Microscopy - The high contrast and high resolution images provided by the TEM have made this “research instrument” into the mainstay of the semiconductor analysis laboratory. For the vast majority of samples, both plan view and cross sections, precious little tilt is required. For cross sections, +/- 3 degrees is usually adequate to bring the silicon into (110) orientation and plan views are commonly made from polycrystalline films, which benefit more from choosing the right thickness than from tilt. Under appreciated is the benefit of very high resolution polepieces which have superior spherical and chromatic aberration coefficients producing real improvements in image quality.

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Shchitova, Svitlana, and Ivan Laskurin. "The improvements balalayka repertoire in the XX century." Музикознавча думка Дніпропетровщини, no. 18 (November 16, 2020): 158–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.33287/222026.

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The purpose of this article is to reveal the features of concert and instrumental music for balalaika in the 20th century by the example of the Concert for balalaika with orchestra by P. Gaydamaki. The methods of this scientific item are based on the research ways of historical and performing analysis. There is using of empirical methods, a namely observation and generalization. The scientific novelty for this investigation is determined by the appeal to the compositions of the academic instrumental repertoire of the balalaika of the 20th century, as the least studied cultural and historical period in the field of academic balalaika performing. Conclusions. The formation and development of the balalaika as an academic tool, began its journey from the 20th century and continues today. A historically significant role in this belongs to the outstanding composer, teacher, performer, conductor, arranger Vasily Vasilievich Andreev and his followers. Today, balalaika as an instrument is actively developing in Ukraine. The repertoire is replenished with new works, new methodological collections are issued, the instrument continues to sound both solo and as an integral part of folk ensembles of small and large forms, orchestras. Since 1965, the genre of solo balalaika concert in Ukraine begins its history. One of its first authors can be considered Peter Danilovich Gaydamakа. The concert of P. Gaydamakа, which became the material of our research, is an example of the use of new achievements in performing, technical techniques, finding balance, dynamic and timbral correspondence for parts of balalaika and orchestra. The Concerto for balalaika and orchestra by P. Gaydamakа is having a big form as a base. Difficulties in realizing the large form for the balalaika, problems in building the dramaturgy of the material, the difficulty of balancing the dynamic and expressive capabilities of the instrument, prompt composers to further discoveries that contribute to the expansion of the repertoire for balalaika as an academic instrument in Ukraine.

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Ander, Mark E., Tom Summers, and Michael E. Gruchalla. "LaCoste & Romberg gravity meter: System analysis and instrumental errors." GEOPHYSICS 64, no. 6 (November 1999): 1708–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1190/1.1444675.

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Although the LaCoste & Romberg (L&R) gravity sensor can be used with great care to collect 1-μGal data, the sensor has a thermodynamic noise limit of 0.012 μGal—about two orders of magnitude below the present measurement precision. Hence, thermodynamic noise is not the limiting factor, and there is significant room for improvement by bringing the other perturbing influences under adequate control. We do not see any fundamental instrumental limitations to substantially improving measurement accuracy at least down to 0.1 μGal. We have improved the noise level, stability, and reliability of the L&R borehole gravity meter sensor, with the goal of reducing the total system noise to below 1 μGal. In the process of these improvements, we made several fundamental observations about noise sources within the L&R sensor, particularly related to thermal noise, electronic noise, sources of mechanical and electrical rectification errors, temporal mass variations, and instrument tares and drift. It has always been assumed that the effective proof mass of the L&R sensor did not change over the time scale of a gravity survey. From our experiments we conclude that this assumption is incorrect below about 10 μGal. Large instrumental errors are produced by temporal proof‐mass variations over time scales of a survey, resulting from contamination and migration of dust, oil, and other volatiles inside the sensor. The results are drift and tares, for it takes only 0.01 μg of dust or oil transferred to the proof mass to offset the gravity reading by 1 μGal.

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Hussain, Azham, Emmanuel O. C. Mkpojiogu, Fazillah Mohmad Kamal, Rohazna binti Wahab, and Noor Halawati Che Meh. "An Instrumental Assessment of Touch'n Go eWallet Mobile App." International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM) 15, no. 06 (March 30, 2021): 4. http://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v15i06.20605.

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<p>This study assessed the instrumentality of Touch ’n Go eWallet mobile app at selected areas in University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) and Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin (PTSS) Perlis, Malaysia, in July and August 2019. Fifteen staff from the two institutions was selected as participants. The purpose of the test was to assess the usability of the app and get user feedback to improve the instrumental quality of the application in order to meet user satisfaction and their experience. This report contains the participants’ feedbacks, task completion rates, ease or difficulty of task completion, time on task, errors, and recommendations for improvements. This study used 4 tasks to assess the instrumental quality of Touch ‘n Go eWallet mobile app. Overall, the outcome of the study revealed that the app is generally usable and instrumental to assisting users accomplish their electronic wallet goals. There is however some observed issues in the app that require fixing to enhance the instrumental quality of app.</p>

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Maier, Uwe. "Accountability and Mandatory Testing in Germany: How do Teachers use Performance Feedback Data?" CADMO, no. 2 (December 2009): 67–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.3280/cad2009-002007.

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- The German federal states implemented bureaucratic accountability systems and mandatory testing which aim at self-evaluation and school improvement. This paper investigates how teachers respond to mandatory testing and how they use performance feedback data for instructional improvements. In a qualitative study, 18 teachers in 9 secondary schools were interviewed. The site of the study was Thuringia, one of the German states where schools get elaborated feedback information based on competency modeling and school performance data which are controlled for socio-economic factors. Teacher statements on feedback data usage were classified as either instrumental, conceptual, convincing, strategic or non-use. Qualitative content analysis revealed that strategic or unintended consequences of mandatory testing are less grave than in countries with high-stakes testing. On the other hand, instrumental and conceptual use of feedback data occurs in German schools, but the examples show that it is questionable if mandatory testing can deeply influence teaching strategies.

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de Bernardis, Paolo, and Silvia Masi. "Cosmic microwave background and cosmic polarization rotation: An experimentalist view." International Journal of Modern Physics D 25, no. 11 (October 2016): 1640012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s0218271816400125.

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In this note, we discuss the prospect of accurate measurements of cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization rotation with future surveys. We focus on instrumental issues, analyzing the required improvements in detection methods and calibration procedures, and discuss the impact of these requirements in the design and optimization of forthcoming CMB polarimeters.

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Lundborg, Bertil, and Wilhelmus JA Grooten. "Resistance Training for Professional String Musicians: A Prospective Intervention Study." Medical Problems of Performing Artists 33, no. 2 (June 1, 2018): 102–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.21091/mppa.2018.2017.

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BACKGROUND: Many professional musicians report performance- related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). Evidence shows that resistance training programs are preventive for musculoskeletal disorders, but only a few studies have been performed among musicians. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a functional resistance training program can increase isometric back endurance and isometric strength in the neck, shoulder, and wrist for professional string musicians and affect their perceived performance during instrumental play, as well as their muscle and joint mobility and the occurrence and intensity of pain. METHODS: 24 professional string musicians from three Swedish symphony orchestras participated in the study, performing individually designed exercise sessions twice a week over an 11-week period. Isometric strength and isometric back endurance were measured pre- and postintervention with a hand-held dynamometer and the Biering-Sorensen test, respectively. A web-based questionnaire was used for assessing perceived performance during instrumental play, as well as mobility and occurrence and intensity of pain. RESULTS: After the training period, the group showed an 11% to 19% increase in isometric strength for neck and upper extremities and 25% improved isometric endurance in back extensors (p<0.05). Moreover, 29% to 59% of the group showed improvements in mobility, performance during instrumental play, and PRMDs, although these improvements did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This functional resistance training program seems to be a non-harmful and advantageous exercise method for professional string musicians, but randomized and controlled studies are needed to confirm the results.

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WOŹNIAK, Ryszard B., Mirosław ZAHOR, Paweł MADEJ, Janusz PAWLAK, and Norbert PIECHOTA. "Evolution of the MSBS Grot Assault Rifle from Version A0 to Version A2." Problems of Mechatronics Armament Aviation Safety Engineering 12, no. 1 (March 31, 2021): 75–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.7852.

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On 15 December 2017, Fabryka Broni “Łucznik”-Radom Sp. z o.o. (FB Radom), a subsidiary of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa S.A., delivered the first batch of 1,000 MSBS Grot C 16 FB M1 calibre 5.56 mm standard (basic) assault rifles (version A0) to the Polish Territorial Defence Force and thus initiated the process of deployment of the assault rifle in the Polish Armed Forces. MSBS Grot was developed by Polish design and process engineers at FB Radom and the Military University of Technology (MUT, Warsaw, Poland) who by mediation of the proper Armament Acquisition and Development Department collected the improvement suggestions and operational feedback from 2.5 years of testing by operators from the armed forces. The suggestions and feedback were thoroughly analysed and discussed during periodic meetings attended by the representatives of the Territorial Defence Force (TDF) Command, the Special Forces Component Command, the 3rd Regional Military Representation (RMR), MUT, and FB Radom. Based on the conclusions from the testing period and the results of theoretical and instrumental testing of the solutions proposed for implementation, the MSBS Grot assault rifles show systematic improvements up to the current version, A2. This paper presents the design of the MSBS Grot Version A0 assault rifle and the construction and processing modifications for version A1 and version A2. During the optimisation effort backed by theoretical and instrumental testing, there was special focus on the assurance of high operating safety and reliability, plus the required ergonomics of the assault rifle under various operating conditions. The paper also presents the avenues for further potential improvements of MSBS Grot.

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Arjona Retamal, Juan José, Alejandro Fernández Seijo, José David Torres Cintas, Ana I. de-la-Llave-Rincón, and Andrea Caballero Bragado. "Effects of Instrumental, Manipulative and Soft Tissue Approaches for the Suboccipital Region in Subjects with Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain. A Randomized Controlled Trial." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 16 (August 16, 2021): 8636. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168636.

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The INYBI is an instrument used to release the suboccipital myofascial area. There is scarce evidence of its efficacy. A randomized controlled, double-blinded, longitudinal and prospective trial was performed. Ninety-six subjects (aged 29.47 ± 5.16 years) (70 women) with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to the manual suboccipital inhibition technique (MSIT), instrumental suboccipital inhibition (INYBI) or the INYBI plus upper cervical manipulation technique (INYBI + UCMT) groups and received two sessions with a week interval between them. The Neck Disability Index was used before the first intervention and two weeks after the second intervention. Pre- and post-measurements were taken on both intervention days for pressure pain threshold of the upper trapezius and suboccipital muscles, self-perceived pain and cervical range of motion. In spite of a significant general improvement in time that was found for the three groups for all of the outcome measurements (p < 0.05 in all cases), no between-groups differences were found (p > 0.05 in all cases), with the exception of self-perceived pain for left rotation (p = 0.024), with the MSIT group showing the lower improvement. However, the higher degree of within-group improvements was found for the INYBI + UCMT group. It was concluded that the myofascial release therapy in the suboccipital area is effective in patients with chronic neck pain, either through a manual application or by means of the INYBI tool. Moreover, the addition of craniocervical manipulation achieved the higher within-group improvements, but with no statistical significance.

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Matsikaris, Anastasios, Martin Widmann, and Johann Jungclaus. "Influence of proxy data uncertainty on data assimilation for the past climate." Climate of the Past 12, no. 7 (July 21, 2016): 1555–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/cp-12-1555-2016.

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Abstract. Data assimilation (DA) is an emerging topic in palaeoclimatology and one of the key challenges in this field. Assimilating proxy-based continental mean temperature reconstructions into the MPI-ESM model showed a lack of information propagation to small spatial scales . Here, we investigate whether this lack of regional skill is due to the methodology or to errors in the assimilated reconstructions. Error separation is fundamental, as it can lead to improvements in DA methods. We address the question by performing a new set of simulations, using two different sets of target data; the proxy-based PAGES 2K reconstructions (DA-P scheme), and the HadCRUT3v instrumental observations (DA-I scheme). Again, we employ ensemble-member selection DA using the MPI-ESM model, and assimilate Northern Hemisphere (NH) continental mean temperatures; the simulated period is 1850–1949 AD. Both DA schemes follow the large-scale target and observed climate variations well, but the assimilation of instrumental data improves the performance. This improvement cannot be seen for Asia, where the limited instrumental coverage leads to errors in the target data and low skill for the DA-I scheme. No skill on small spatial scales is found for either of the two DA schemes, demonstrating that errors in the assimilated data are not the main reason for the unrealistic representation of the regional temperature variability in Europe and the NH. It can thus be concluded that assimilating continental mean temperatures is not ideal for providing skill on small spatial scales.

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Heger, Martin Philipp, Gregor Zens, and Mook Bangalore. "Land and poverty: the role of soil fertility and vegetation quality in poverty reduction." Environment and Development Economics 25, no. 4 (March 17, 2020): 315–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1355770x20000066.

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AbstractThe debate on the land–poverty nexus is inconclusive, with past research unable to identify the causal dynamics. We use a unique global panel dataset that links survey and census derived poverty data with measures of land ecosystems at the subnational level. Rainfall is used to overcome the endogeneity in the land–poverty relationship in an instrumental variable approach. This is the first global study using quasi-experimental methods to uncover the degree to which land improvements matter for poverty reduction. We draw three main conclusions. First, land improvements are important for poverty reduction in rural areas and particularly so for Sub-Saharan Africa. Second, land improvements are pro-poor: poorer areas see larger poverty alleviation effects due to improvements in land. Finally, irrigation plays a major role in breaking the link between bad weather and negative impacts on the poor through reduced vegetation growth and soil fertility.

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Davies, Janet. "Alexander Technique classes for tertiary music students: Student and teacher evaluations of pre- and post-test audiovisual recordings." International Journal of Music Education 38, no. 2 (October 17, 2019): 194–207. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0255761419880007.

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Tertiary music students show patterns of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) similar to professionals, indicating the need for effective education in management and prevention during student years. When problems occur, music students are most likely to seek advice from their instrumental teachers; therefore, it is important for teachers to be involved in ensuring education programs are relevant to the occupational and artistic needs of both student and professional musicians. Musicians have previously reported improvements in outcomes associated with PRMDs and performance quality following Alexander Technique (AT) classes. In this study, 12 university music students and eight of their teachers evaluated video-recordings filmed before and after a semester of weekly, purpose-designed AT classes. Positive changes were observed in muscle tension, posture, tonal resonance, breathing, instrumental technique, and movement quality. Noted improvements were consistent with student participants’ subjective experiences, reported previously from questionnaire data. The results suggest that AT training at the instrument may have a direct positive impact on key factors associated with PRMDs as well as playing quality. Use of video assessments as a component of controlled, mixed-method studies with larger populations is recommended to establish the potential value of AT for inclusion in music training.

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Guest, Cheryl, Philip Wainwright, Margaret Herbert, and Iain Murray Smith. "Driving quality improvement with a massive open online course (MOOC)." BMJ Open Quality 10, no. 1 (March 2021): e000781. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2019-000781.

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BackgroundQuality improvement (QI) is a priority for national regulatory bodies in health and care in the UK. However, many health and care staff do not know where to go for support in gaining the required skills and knowledge in QI. This paper reviews Improvement Fundamentals, a massive open online course (MOOC), designed to address this gap, run by an improvement team in the national regulatory body.MethodsIn 2015, National Health Service (NHS) Improving Quality (subsequently the sustainable improvement team in NHS England) established Improvement Fundamentals: a programme of online, self-directed courses in QI for those involved in heath or social care. The programme ran in two cycles: twice in 2015, followed by a re-launch in 2018 (this programme also ran into 2019). A mixed-methods evaluation was carried out of the 2015 programme involving surveys, interviews and social listening. The 2018–2019 programme was evaluated using post-course surveys of participants and activity data from the platform.OutcomesSince the start of the 2015 programme, 604 improvement projects have been developed, run and submitted for formal assessment, with some demonstrating clear improvements in services. Themes from participant feedback on both programmes have included improved understanding of QI tools and methods; greater energy for QI; a greater sense of community and connectedness in participants’ work and increased confidence in using QI tools and techniques.DiscussionBoth programmes delivered benefits for participants, and the team’s investment in improvement skills on these programmes has helped to increase capability for future change endeavours. The collaborative nature of the programmes has been key to their successes.ConclusionImprovement Fundamentals demonstrates that MOOCs can be instrumental in driving forward improvements in health and care. The programmes may have utility as a model for future MOOCs, both in QI and other topics, to help drive further improvements in health and care.

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Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, Mohamed. "Advances in Instrumental Analysis of Brominated Flame Retardants: Current Status and Future Perspectives." International Scholarly Research Notices 2014 (October 29, 2014): 1–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/651834.

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This review aims to highlight the recent advances and methodological improvements in instrumental techniques applied for the analysis of different brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The literature search strategy was based on the recent analytical reviews published on BFRs. The main selection criteria involved the successful development and application of analytical methods for determination of the target compounds in various environmental matrices. Different factors affecting chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection of brominated analytes were evaluated and discussed. Techniques using advanced instrumentation to achieve outstanding results in quantification of different BFRs and their metabolites/degradation products were highlighted. Finally, research gaps in the field of BFR analysis were identified and recommendations for future research were proposed.

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Murphy, Katy, Mark Rehkämper, Katharina Kreissig, Barry Coles, and Tina van de Flierdt. "Improvements in Cd stable isotope analysis achieved through use of liquid–liquid extraction to remove organic residues from Cd separates obtained by extraction chromatography." Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 31, no. 1 (2016): 319–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c5ja00115c.

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During isotopic analysis of Cd by MC-ICP-MS, organic resin residue can perturb instrumental mass fractionation. These organic compounds can be removed by a liquid–liquid extraction procedure using heptane.

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Tóth, Tibor, and L. Kuti. "Testing Alternative Techniques of Numerical Simulation versus Repeated Field Instrumental Measurements for Assessing Soil Salinity Status in a Sodic Grassland." Agrokémia és Talajtan 51, no. 1-2 (March 1, 2002): 243–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/agrokem.51.2002.1-2.29.

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Within a 300 x 600 m complex heterogeneous sodic grassland two techniques were compared for assessing soil salinity. The standard technique is based on repeated field instrumental measurements at 420 points. The alternative technique was performed with the use of numerical simulation of salt accumulation carried out on 3 profiles. These profiles have been selected as representatives of the distinct classes, or map strata of salt accumulation, distinguished with preliminary statistical clustering of the instrumental measuring points. Simulated values were extrapolated for the 3 strata distinguished. The maps obtained with the two techniques were statistically correlated. The use of numerical simulation is cost-effective. Further improvements are expected from a combination of improved numerical simulation and utilization of more strata.

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Masson, Frédéric, Samuel Auclair, Didier Bertil, Marc Grunberg, Bruno Hernandez, Sophie Lambotte, Gilles Mazet-Roux, et al. "The Transversal Seismicity Action RESIF: A Tool to Improve the Distribution of the French Seismicity Products." Seismological Research Letters 92, no. 3 (March 3, 2021): 1623–41. http://dx.doi.org/10.1785/0220200353.

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Abstract In recent years, the French seismological, geodetic, and gravimetric community has been structured within Réseau Sismologique et géodésique Français (RESIF) (French seismological and geodetic network). In addition to instrumental developments, RESIF has structured the work on French seismicity (metropolitan and overseas) within the RESIF transverse seismicity action (ATS). The purpose of this article is to present the ATS and the way it is structured to propose to the community different products: seismicity bulletin and catalog, historical and instrumental macroseismicity data, and ShakeMaps. The places where these products can be found are indicated, as well as the way they are realized and the improvements in progress for a better realization and availability. The link with European plate observing system is also underlined.

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Alusta, Pierre, Dan Buzatu, Anna Williams, Willie‐Mae Cooper, Olga Tarasenko, R. Cameron Dorey, Reggie Hall, W. Ryan Parker, and Jon G. Wilkes. "Instrumental improvements and sample preparations that enable reproducible, reliable acquisition of mass spectra from whole bacterial cells." Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 29, no. 21 (September 27, 2015): 1961–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rcm.7299.

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Perry, Bridget J., Brian D. Richburg, Bohdan Pomahac, Ericka M. Bueno, and Jordan R. Green. "The Effects of Lip-Closure Exercise on Lip Strength and Function Following Full Facial Transplantation: A Case Report." American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 26, no. 2S (June 22, 2017): 682–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1044/2017_ajslp-16-0101.

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Purpose Facial transplantation is a relatively new option for individuals with severe facial disfigurements. Clinical case studies on existing patients indicate many instances of persistent facial motor impairment for facial expression, speech, and swallowing. These preliminary findings motivate additional research on the impact of lip-strengthening exercises following facial transplantation. Method In this study, we assessed the efficacy of an 8-week, biofeedback-driven, lip closure–strengthening exercise program in a single patient 1-year status post–full facial transplantation. Exercise was at 60% of peak strength. Outcome measures included instrumental measures of lip strength and mobility, clinical measures of speech, and patient-reported outcomes in feeding and facial expression. Results Results revealed improvements in labial strength, speed of lip movement, and range of motion during speech. A 3-point improvement in sentence speech intelligibility was also observed following strength-training exercise. The patient reported improvements in her ability to drink from a straw and communicate via facial expression. Conclusion These preliminary findings motivate additional research on the efficacy of lip-strengthening exercises following facial transplantation.

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Akrami, Y., F. Argüeso, M. Ashdown, J. Aumont, C. Baccigalupi, M. Ballardini, A. J. Banday, et al. "Planck2018 results." Astronomy & Astrophysics 641 (September 2020): A2. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201833293.

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We present a final description of the data-processing pipeline for thePlanckLow Frequency Instrument (LFI), implemented for the 2018 data release. Several improvements have been made with respect to the previous release, especially in the calibration process and in the correction of instrumental features such as the effects of nonlinearity in the response of the analogue-to-digital converters. We provide a brief pedagogical introduction to the complete pipeline, as well as a detailed description of the important changes implemented. Self-consistency of the pipeline is demonstrated using dedicated simulations and null tests. We present the final version of the LFI full sky maps at 30, 44, and 70 GHz, both in temperature and polarization, together with a refined estimate of the solar dipole and a final assessment of the main LFI instrumental parameters.

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Santana, Anthony, Ahmed Comas, Stacy Wise, Walter B. Wilson, and, and Andres D. Campiglia. "Instrumental improvements for the trace analysis of structural isomers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with molecular mass 302 Da." Analytica Chimica Acta 1100 (March 2020): 163–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2019.10.067.

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Villalobos, Dolores, Álvaro Bilbao, Francisco López-Muñoz, and Javier Pacios. "Improving Self-awareness After Acquired Brain Injury Leads to Enhancements in Patients’ Daily Living Functionality." Brain Impairment 20, no. 3 (May 30, 2019): 268–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/brimp.2019.10.

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AbstractObjective:To explore whether the improvement in self-awareness induced by a structured intervention programme in patients suffering a brain injury is associated with an enhancement in their functional outcomes.Method:This study uses a pre- and post-test control group design with a sample of 56 patients with acquired brain injury randomly assigned to an experimental and a control group. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were self-awareness (using a previously developed scale) and functional outcome (using the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale).Results:Patients who received the intervention programme showed a greater improvement in their self-awareness level and functional outcome than patients in the control group. Additionally, the correlation analyses between improvements at both measures showed a relation between improvement in self-awareness and improvement in functional outcome, especially when the pre-treatment self-awareness level was considered.Conclusions:Implementing an intervention programme in self-awareness, in the context of a global rehabilitation process of patients with acquired brain injury, is useful for improving their self-awareness level and the functionality in their daily activities.

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Liskova, Alena, Marek Samec, Lenka Koklesova, Frank A. Giordano, Peter Kubatka, and Olga Golubnitschaja. "Liquid Biopsy is Instrumental for 3PM Dimensional Solutions in Cancer Management." Journal of Clinical Medicine 9, no. 9 (August 25, 2020): 2749. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jcm9092749.

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One in every four deaths is due to cancer in Europe. In view of its increasing incidence, cancer became the leading cause of death and disease burden in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and the UK. Without essential improvements in cancer prevention, an additional 775,000 cases of annual incidence have been prognosed until 2040. Between 1995 and 2018, the direct costs of cancer doubled from EUR 52 billion to EUR 103 billion in Europe, and per capita health spending on cancer increased by 86% from EUR 105 to EUR 195 in general, whereby Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Benelux, and France spend the most on cancer care compared to other European countries. In view of the consequent severe socio-economic burden on society, the paradigm change from a reactive to a predictive, preventive, and personalized medical approach in the overall cancer management is essential. Concepts of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM) demonstrate a great potential to revise the above presented trends and to implement cost-effective healthcare that benefits the patient and society as a whole. At any stage, application of early and predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and personalization of medical services are basic pillars making 3PM particularly attractive for the patients as well as ethical and cost-effective healthcare. Optimal 3PM approach requires novel instruments such as well-designed liquid biopsy application. This review article highlights current achievements and details liquid biopsy approaches specifically in cancer management. 3PM-relevant expert recommendations are provided.

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Murabayashi, Nobuyuki, Takako Akahoshi, Risa Ishimine, Nobuko Saji, Chiyomi Takeda, Hisako Nakayama, Megumi Noro, et al. "Effects of Music Therapy in Frail Elderlies: Controlled Crossover Study." Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra 9, no. 1 (March 5, 2019): 87–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000496456.

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Background: Music therapy (MT) may exert beneficial preventive effects in frail elderly individuals in psychophysiological health. Objectives: One hundred and fifteen frail elderly individuals (65–89 years old) participated. Methods: Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups for a controlled crossover trial. The MT-first group participated in group sessions of 45–50 min conducted by a certified music therapist for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week waiting period. The waiting-first group participated in the reverse order. Cognitive function was assessed by the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) and Yamaguchi Kanji Symbol Substitution Test (YKSST). Physical function was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Psychophysical health was assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item version (GDS-15), General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12), Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale, and Life Space Assessment (LSA) scale. We also evaluated the outcome of MT using the Clinical Global Impressions of Improvement (CGI-I) scale. Results: After 12 weeks of MT, significant improvements were observed in TUG, GDS-15, and GHQ-12 scores. However, no improvements were noted in other scores. CGI-I scores revealed the significant benefits of MT. Conclusions: MT may improve physical function, depressive mood, and quality of life in frail elderly individuals.

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Saine, Kathleen, C. Munro Cullum, Kristin Martin-Cook, Linda Hynan, Doris A. Svetlik, and Myron F. Weiner. "Comparison of Functional and Cognitive Donepezil Effects in Alzheimer's Disease." International Psychogeriatrics 14, no. 2 (June 2002): 181–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1041610202008372.

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Donepezil has been shown to improve aspects of cognitive functioning in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its impact on instrumental activities of daily living has received little attention. In a within-subject design, 24 community-dwelling persons with AD were treated with open-label donepezil over a 12-month period. To assess functional abilities, a brief, objective measure of instrumental activities of daily living skills was used (Texas Functional Living Scale; TFLS). Global cognitive abilities were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Changes in TFLS and MMSE scores were much the same. Improvements on the TFLS and MMSE were seen over a 3-month period. At 12 months, both TFLS and MMSE scores declined slightly below baseline. These results support an effect of donepezil on cognitive measures and day-to-day function and also suggest that the MMSE reflects well the actual functional ability of persons with moderate AD.

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Holzer-Popp, T., M. Schroedter-Homscheidt, H. Breitkreuz, D. Martynenko, and L. Klüser. "Improvements of synergetic aerosol retrieval for ENVISAT." Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 8, no. 24 (December 18, 2008): 7651–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-8-7651-2008.

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Abstract. The synergetic aerosol retrieval method SYNAER (Holzer-Popp et al., 2002a) has been extended to the use of ENVISAT measurements. It exploits the complementary information of a radiometer and a spectrometer onboard one satellite platform to extract aerosol optical depth (AOD) and speciation (as a choice from a representative set of pre-defined mixtures of water-soluble, soot, mineral dust, and sea salt components). SYNAER consists of two retrieval steps. In the first step the radiometer is used for accurate cloud screening, and subsequently to quantify the aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm and spectral surface brightness through a dark field technique for different pre-defined aerosol mixtures. In the second step the spectrometer is applied to choose the most plausible aerosol mixture through a least square fit of the measured spectrum with simulated spectra using the mixture-dependent values of AOD and surface brightness retrieved in the first step. This method was developed and a first case study evaluation against few (15) multi-spectral ground-based AERONET sun photometer observations was conducted with a sensor pair (ATSR-2 and GOME) onboard ERS-2. Due to instrumental limitations the coverage of SYNAER/ERS-2 is very sparse. Therefore, SYNAER was transferred to similar sensors AATSR and SCIAMACHY onboard ENVISAT. While transferring to the new sensor pair significant improvements in the methodology were made based on a thorough evaluation of the methodology: (1) an update of the aerosol model, (2) improved cloud detection in the tropics and sub tropics, and (3) an enhanced dark field albedo characterization. This paper describes these improvements in detail and assesses their combined impact on the results. After a brief assessment of atmospheric noise impact on comparisons of pixel and station measurements a validation against ground-based measurements establishes error bars for the SYNAER/ENVISAT method version 2.0. A theoretical analysis of the information content with regard to aerosol composition (second retrieval step) is presented to quantify the potential and limitations of this new capability provided by the SYNAER method. Building on this analysis, first seasonal and monthly composition results calculated by applying SYNAER version 2.0 to AATSR and SCIAMACHY are shown to demonstrate the potential of the approach. An inter-comparison to earlier results of SYNAER version 1.0 is made for both the validation and the example datasets.

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Hickman, Louise, Caleb Ferguson, Patricia M. Davidson, Sabine Allida, Sally Inglis, Deborah Parker, and Meera Agar. "Key elements of interventions for heart failure patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: A systematic review." European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 19, no. 1 (July 26, 2019): 8–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1474515119865755.

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Background: The purpose of this systematic review was to (a) examine the effects of interventions delivered by a heart failure professional for mild cognitive impairment and dementia on cognitive function, memory, working memory, instrumental activities of daily living, heart failure knowledge, self-care, quality of life and depression; and (b) identify the successful elements of these strategies for heart failure patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Methods and results: During March 2018, an electronic search of databases including CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO was conducted. All randomised controlled trials, which examined an intervention strategy to help heart failure patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia cope with self-care, were included. An initial search yielded 1622 citations, six studies were included ( N= 595 participants, mean age 68 years). There were no significant improvements in cognitive function and depression. However, significant improvements were seen in memory ( p=0.015), working memory ( p=0.029) and instrumental activities of daily living ( p=0.006). Nurse led interventions improved the patient’s heart failure knowledge ( p=0.001), self-care ( p<0.05) and quality of life ( p=0.029). Key elements of these interventions include brain exercises, for example, syllable stacks, individualised assessment and customised education, personalised self-care schedule development, interactive problem-solving training on scenarios and association techniques to prompt self-care activities. Conclusions: Modest evidence for nurse led interventions among heart failure patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia was identified. These results must be interpreted with caution in light of the limited number of available included studies.

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diZerega, Gus. "Elites and Democratic Theory: Insights From the Self-Organizing Model." Review of Politics 53, no. 2 (1991): 340–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0034670500014650.

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The role of elites within liberal democracy is a perennial issue. One reason why is an inappropriate theoretical conception of democracy. They are self-organizing systems rather than instrumental organizations. As such they have more in common systemically with science and the market than with democratic organizations or undemocratic states. Examining the role of elites within science and the market sheds light on how they work within democracies. Such an examination shows them to be both necessary and dangerous. Traditional “elitist” analyses of democracy suffer from confusions which the self-organizing model clears up. It also offers improvements on traditional “pluralist” conceptions.

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Viegas, Matilde, Maria João Ramos, and Pedro Alexandrino Fernandes. "Thermophilic Enzymes." U.Porto Journal of Engineering 7, no. 3 (April 30, 2021): 13–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.24840/2183-6493_007.003_0002.

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Substantial improvements in the industrial production of goods led to a widespread feeling of unlimited access to food, commodities, and energy. As greener alternatives for industrial processes are in demand, scientists have turned to enzymes, looking for apt biocatalysts. Focusing on extremophiles, this mini review draws a comparison between thermophiles and their mesophilic counterparts, exploring what features are instrumental to their thermostability. A higher number of ion-pairs, hydrophobicity of buried side chains, compact tertiary structure cores, and a complex network of hydrogen bonds are the four main characteristics responsible for the robustness of thermophilic enzymes.

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Gotts, Hugh E. "Semiconductor Thin Film Characterization Via Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy: Analysis At The Process Line." Microscopy and Microanalysis 5, S2 (August 1999): 56–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s143192760001360x.

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Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy has been used in research laboratories to model the growth of thin film silicide layers and the re-crystallization of α-silicon, however little progress has been made towards using these techniques as either at line or on line tools.At line and on line instrumental techniques such as ellipsometry and X-Ray Fluorescence have been used to characterize the physical properties of thin films in the semiconductor industry, which has lead to improvements in device yields. These techniques, however, do not provide the specificity to determine thin film phase changes which result in improved device performance, whereas Raman Microprobe Spectroscopy can monitor these changes.In order to perform at line or on line measurements, the spectrometer must be moved to the process line floor. The recent improvements in spectrometer design which has produced systems robust enough to endure high technology manufacturing environments will be briefly discussed. Two case studies of semiconductor process monitoring via Raman Microprobe analysis will be presented.

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Roberts, M. A., and C. C. Tang. "Angular Resolution of Parallel Foils on a Synchrotron Powder Diffractometer." Journal of Synchrotron Radiation 5, no. 5 (September 1, 1998): 1270–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1107/s0909049598007870.

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In an attempt to improve the resolution in flat-plate diffraction geometry, a new set of parallel foils, 100 µm spacing, 365 mm long with an aperture of 20 × 20 mm2, has been commissioned. The study was carried out using the two-circle diffractometer of station 2.3 at the SRS. In order to properly quantify the improvements, a detailed and comparative study of the instrumental resolution using the new and existing foils, of 200 µm spacing, is reported. A number of cubic materials, BaF2, Si and CeO2, that are known to show well defined Bragg peaks over the full 2θ angular range available, were investigated.

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Kolesnik, Yu B. "Three campaigns of solar observations with an astrolabe at Simeiz." Symposium - International Astronomical Union 172 (1996): 505–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0074180900127998.

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Positional observations of the Sun have become, in recent years, one of the most important contribution of astrolabes to fundamental astrometry. After pioneer observations at CERGA and Sao Paulo, both in 1974, other astrolabes have been adapted for observations of the Sun in Paris (now at Malatya, Turkey), Santiago de Chile (Chollet & Noël 1993) and San-Fernando (Sánchez et al. 1993, 1995). First experimental campaign of solar observations with an astrolabe installed at Simeiz Observatory (Crimea, Ukraine) has been undertaken in 1986 (Kolesnik 1987). After some instrumental improvements, observations covering about 2.5–3 months were continued in 1987, 1990, 1991. The results are reported here.

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Monteagudo, Pablo, Ainoa Roldán, Ana Cordellat, Mari Carmen Gómez-Cabrera, and Cristina Blasco-Lafarga. "Continuous Compared to Accumulated Walking-Training on Physical Function and Health-Related Quality of Life in Sedentary Older Persons." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 17 (August 20, 2020): 6060. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176060.

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The present study aimed to analyze the impact of overground walking interval training (WIT) in a group of sedentary older adults, comparing two different dose-distributions. In this quasi-experimental and longitudinal study, we recruited twenty-three sedentary older adults (71.00 ± 4.10 years) who were assigned to two groups of WIT. The continuous group (CWIT) trained for 60 min/session in the morning, while the accumulated group (AWIT) performed the same duration and intensity of exercise, but it was distributed twice a day (30 min in the morning and 30 more in the afternoon). After 15 weeks of an equal external-load training (3 days/week), Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons revealed significant (p < 0.050) and similar large improvements in both groups in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb strength; even larger gains in preferred walking speed and instrumental daily life activity, which was slightly superior for CWIT; and improvements in agility, which were moderate for CWIT and large for AWIT. However, none of the training protocols had an impact on the executive function in the individuals, and only the AWIT group improved health-related quality of life. Although both training protocols induced a general significant improvement in physical function in older adults, our results showed that the accumulative strategy should be recommended when health-related quality of life is the main target, and the continuous strategy should be recommended when weakness may be a threat in the short or medium term.

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Tardif, Robert, Gregory J. Hakim, Walter A. Perkins, Kaleb A. Horlick, Michael P. Erb, Julien Emile-Geay, David M. Anderson, Eric J. Steig, and David Noone. "Last Millennium Reanalysis with an expanded proxy database and seasonal proxy modeling." Climate of the Past 15, no. 4 (July 5, 2019): 1251–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/cp-15-1251-2019.

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Abstract. The Last Millennium Reanalysis (LMR) utilizes an ensemble methodology to assimilate paleoclimate data for the production of annually resolved climate field reconstructions of the Common Era. Two key elements are the focus of this work: the set of assimilated proxy records and the forward models that map climate variables to proxy measurements. Results based on an updated proxy database and seasonal regression-based forward models are compared to the LMR prototype, which was based on a smaller set of proxy records and simpler proxy models formulated as univariate linear regressions against annual temperature. Validation against various instrumental-era gridded analyses shows that the new reconstructions of surface air temperature and 500 hPa geopotential height are significantly improved (from 10 % to more than 100 %), while improvements in reconstruction of the Palmer Drought Severity Index are more modest. Additional experiments designed to isolate the sources of improvement reveal the importance of the updated proxy records, including coral records for improving tropical reconstructions, and tree-ring density records for temperature reconstructions, particularly in high northern latitudes. Proxy forward models that account for seasonal responses, and dependence on both temperature and moisture for tree-ring width, also contribute to improvements in reconstructed thermodynamic and hydroclimate variables in midlatitudes. The variability of temperature at multidecadal to centennial scales is also shown to be sensitive to the set of assimilated proxies, especially to the inclusion of primarily moisture-sensitive tree-ring-width records.

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Juárez, Manuel, Ivy L. Larsen, Mark Klassen, and Jennifer L. Aalhus. "Canadian beef tenderness survey: 2001–2011." Canadian Journal of Animal Science 93, no. 1 (March 2013): 89–97. http://dx.doi.org/10.4141/cjas2012-112.

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Juárez, M., Larsen, I. L., Klassen, M. and Aalhus, J. L. 2013. Canadian beef tenderness survey: 2001–2011. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 89–97. A large survey across Canada was developed collecting retail beef samples in 2001 (702 steaks) and 2011 (602 steaks). The samples (strip loin, top sirloin, inside round and cross-rib steaks) were evaluated for instrumental tenderness using standard procedures for sampling, storage, cooking and texture evaluation. New equations were also developed in order to compare the results obtained in these studies with consumer thresholds developed in Canada and the United States of America. In general, retail steaks collected in 2011 weighed less and showed higher fat thickness than those from 2001. Regarding tenderness, a significant improvement was observed, especially for strip loin and top sirloin steaks between 2001 and 2011. Using US threshold categories, the percentage of “tender” samples improved for the strip loin (2001=89%; 2011=99%), top sirloin (2001=70%; 2011=87%), inside round (2001=52%; 2011=61%) and cross-rib (2001=65%; 2011=76%) steaks. Similarly, the percentage of “tough” samples shifted from 5, 8 27 and 13% for the strip loin, top sirloin, inside round and cross-rib steaks in 2001 to 1, 5, 13, and 8%, respectively, in 2011. Similar improvements were observed when using the more descriptive four-category Canadian threshold system. These improvements may be due to changes in the animal population, production systems, carcass processing and distribution/handling prior to display in Canada.

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Dumusque, X., M. Cretignier, D. Sosnowska, N. Buchschacher, C. Lovis, D. F. Phillips, F. Pepe, et al. "Three years of HARPS-N high-resolution spectroscopy and precise radial velocity data for the Sun." Astronomy & Astrophysics 648 (April 2021): A103. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202039350.

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Context. The solar telescope connected to HARPS-N has been observing the Sun since the summer of 2015. Such a high-cadence, long-baseline data set is crucial for understanding spurious radial-velocity signals induced by our Sun and by the instrument. On the instrumental side, this data set allowed us to detect sub- m s−1 systematics that needed to be corrected for. Aims. The goals of this manuscript are to (i) present a new data reduction software for HARPS-N, (ii) demonstrate the improvement brought by this new software during the first three years of the HARPS-N solar data set, and (iii) release all the obtained solar products, from extracted spectra to precise radial velocities. Methods. To correct for the instrumental systematics observed in the data reduced with the current version of the HARPS-N data reduction software (DRS version 3.7), we adapted the newly available ESPRESSO DRS (version 2.2.3) to HARPS-N and developed new optimised recipes for the spectrograph. We then compared the first three years of HARPS-N solar data reduced with the current and new DRS. Results. The most significant improvement brought by the new DRS is a strong decrease in the day-to-day radial-velocity scatter, from 1.27 to 1.07 m s−1; this is thanks to a more robust method to derive wavelength solutions, but also to the use of calibrations closer in time. The newly derived solar radial-velocities are also better correlated with the chromospheric activity level of the Sun in the long term, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.93 compared to 0.77 before, which is expected from our understanding of stellar signals. Finally, we also discuss how HARPS-N spectral ghosts contaminate the measurement of the calcium activity index, and we present an efficient technique to derive an index free of instrumental systematics. Conclusions. This paper presents a new data reduction software for HARPS-N and demonstrates its improvements, mainly in terms of radial-velocity precision, when applied to the first three years of the HARPS-N solar data set. Those newly reduced solar data, representing an unprecedented time series of 34 550 high-resolution spectra and precise radial velocities, are released alongside this paper. Those data are crucial to understand stellar activity signals in solar-type stars further and develop the mitigating techniques that will allow us to detect other Earths.

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Glymour, M. Maria, Theresa L. Osypuk, and David H. Rehkopf. "Invited Commentary: Off-Roading With Social Epidemiology—Exploration, Causation, Translation." American Journal of Epidemiology 178, no. 6 (September 5, 2013): 858–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwt145.

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Abstract Population health improvements are the most relevant yardstick against which to evaluate the success of social epidemiology. In coming years, social epidemiology must increasingly emphasize research that facilitates translation into health improvements, with continued focus on macro-level social determinants of health. Given the evidence that the effects of social interventions often differ across population subgroups, systematic and transparent exploration of the heterogeneity of health determinants across populations will help inform effective interventions. This research should consider both biological and social risk factors and effect modifiers. We also recommend that social epidemiologists take advantage of recent revolutionary improvements in data availability and computing power to examine new hypotheses and expand our repertoire of study designs. Better data and computing power should facilitate underused analytic approaches, such as instrumental variables, simulation studies and models of complex systems, and sensitivity analyses of model biases. Many data-driven machine-learning approaches are also now computationally feasible and likely to improve both prediction models and causal inference in social epidemiology. Finally, we emphasize the importance of specifying exposures corresponding with realistic interventions and policy options. Effect estimates for directly modifiable, clearly defined health determinants are most relevant for building translational social epidemiology to reduce disparities and improve population health.

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Greek, L. Shane, H. Georg Schulze, Michael W. Blades, Alan V. Bree, Boris B. Gorzalka, and Robin F. B. Turner. "SNR Enhancement and Deconvolution of Raman Spectra Using a Two-Point Entropy Regularization Method." Applied Spectroscopy 49, no. 4 (April 1995): 425–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1366/0003702953964246.

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A new method for Raman signal recovery, the two-point maximum entropy method (TPMEM), based on a regularization method using two-point entropy is presented. The method can be used for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) enhancement in very low SNR measurements or for deconvolution, in order to remove the effects of the instrumental line shape on the measured spectrum. Unlike most SNR enhancement schemes, TPMEM requires no filter parameters and no a priori knowledge of the expected signal. A rigorous test on a randomly produced set of convolved and/or noise-corrupted simulated Raman spectra is presented in order to validate the method and compare it to Savitzky-Golay filtering and the maximum entropy method. The method is evaluated on the basis of the root mean square (rms) error and correlation coefficients of the recovered data with the original data, as well as on the basis of SNR improvement, and showed significant improvements in both performance and speed over conventional methods. The method is demonstrated in an application involving fiber-optic-linked Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopy.

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Journal articles on the topic 'Instrumental improvements'

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