Purpose To raise awareness of the frequency of bias that can affect the quality of radiographer plain film reading performance studies. Methods Studies that assessed radiographer(s) plain film reading performance were located by searching electronic databases and grey literature, hand-searching journals, personal communication and scanning reference lists. Thirty studies were judged eligible from all data sources. Results A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrates no statistically significant difference (P=0.25) in the mean proportion of biases present from diagnostic accuracy (0.37), performance (0.42) and outcome (0.44) study designs. Pearson¿s correlation coefficient showed no statistically significant linear association between the proportion of biases present for the three different study designs and the year that the study was performed. The frequency of biases in film and observer selection and application of the reference standard was quite low. In contrast, many biases were present concerning independence of film reporting and comparison of reports for concordance. Conclusions The findings indicate variation in the presence of bias in radiographer plain film reading performance studies. The careful consideration of bias is an essential component of study quality and hence the validity of the evidence-base used to underpin radiographic reporting policy.

No / Sulfate causes various health issues for human if on average daily intake of sulfate is more than 500 mg from drinking-water, air, and food. Moreover, the presence of sulfate in rainwater causes acid rains which has harmful effects on animals and plants. Food is the major source of sulfate intake; however, in areas of South-Punjab, Pakistan, the drinking-water containing high levels of sulfate may constitute the principal source of intake. The spatial behavior of sulfate in groundwater is recorded for South-Punjab province, Pakistan. The spatial dependence of the response variable (sulfate) is modeled by using various variograms models that are estimated by maximum likelihood method, restricted maximum likelihood method, ordinary least squares, and weighted least squares. The parameters of estimated variogram models are utilized in ordinary kriging, universal kriging, Bayesian kriging with constant trend, and varying trend and the above methods are used for interpolation of sulfate concentration. The K-fold cross validation is used to measure the performances of variogram models and interpolation methods. Bayesian kriging with a constant trend produces minimum root mean square prediction error than other interpolation methods. Concentration of sulfate in drinking water within the study area is increasing to the Northern part, and health risks are really high due to poor quality of water.

An improved equation is presented for the prediction of the ultimate strength of the local zone in Load Transfer Tests. The derivation of this new formulation is the result of the investigation of the ultimate bearing strength of plain and reinforced concrete blocks, concentrically loaded. A total of 199 bearing tests were performed on plain and reinforced concrete prisms to evaluate the variables involved in the bearing problem. A finite element analysis of a typical square block loaded with different bearing areas was performed. Two equations, one for plain concrete and the other for reinforced concrete were derived using the Mohr failure criterion. The performance of the derived equations was evaluated against actual test data. The results of this evaluation showed very good agreement between the predicted ultimate strength and the actual test strength for both plain and reinforced concrete. For plain concrete specimens the ratio Ptest/Ppred was 1.05 with a coefficient of variation of 9 percent. In the case of reinforced concrete blocks the ratio Ptest/Ppred was 1.00 with a coefficient of variation of 14 percent. / Master of Science

No / References Citations Metrics Reprints & Permissions Get access Abstract This paper presents the observation of lipid residue, identified as beeswax, preserved in the ceramic matrix of a Late Chalcolithic (c. 3700–3000 BC) bevelled-rim bowl (BRB) from the site of Tepe Sofalin on the Tehran Plain. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to separate and identify the lipid constituents preserved in the matrix of a BRB sherd. Lipid biomarkers were recovered including long-chain n-alkanes, n-alkenes, palmitic wax monoesters, fatty acids and n-alcohols characteristic of beeswax. In addition to two disaccharides, cholesterol and β-sitosterol as contaminants were retrieved by solvent soluble extraction from a number of different locations from the ceramic matrix of the analysed sherd.

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Modern society is intrinsically dependent on the ability to manage data effectively. While relational databases have been the industry standard for the past quarter century, recent growth in data volumes and complexity requires novel data management solutions. These trends revitalized the interest in deductive databases and highlighted the need for column-oriented data storage. However, programming technologies for enterprise computing were designed for the relational data management model (i.e., row-oriented data storage). Therefore, developers cannot easily incorporate emerging data management solutions into enterprise systems. To address the problem above, this thesis presents Deductive Java (DJ), a system that enables enterprise programmers to use a column oriented deductive database in their Java applications. DJ does so without requiring that the programmer become proficient in deductive databases and their non-standardized, vendor-specific APIs. The design of DJ incorporates three novel features: (1) tailoring orthogonal persistence technology to the needs of a deductive database with column-oriented storage; (2) using Java interfaces as a primary mapping construct, thereby simplifying method call interception; (3) providing facilities to deploy light-weight business rules. DJ was developed in partnership with LogicBlox Inc., an Atlanta based technology startup. / Master of Science

This study aims to integrate groundwater geochemistry and mathematical modeling to determine the dominant geochemical processes and groundwater residence time within the Wilcox aquifer in the northern Gulf Coastal Plain. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ion chemistry, stable isotopes (18O, 2H, and 13C), and radioisotope 36Cl content. Geochemical modeling enabled the identification of major sources and sinks of solutes in the aquifer. A two-dimensional, finite-difference, numerical model was used to determine the deep groundwater flow rate and transport of 36Cl in the aquifer. Major ion chemistry shows a chromatographic pattern along the flow path in which a gradual increase of Na+ and decrease of Ca2+ and Mg2+ is evident. The most plausible inverse models in the downgradient section of the aquifer indicate that oxidation of organic matter (OM), which may be associated with discontinuous lenses of lignite, and consequent release of CO2 sustain the reduction of Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides and sulfate and the dissolution of carbonate minerals (calcite and, in some instances, siderite). These processes, in turn, result in pyrite precipitation and exchange of Ca2+ for Na+ on clay-mineral surfaces. Models constrained with 13C are consistent with mole transfers between pairs of wells in close proximity, but not for the entire flow path. The observed range of δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon (-7.3‰ to -12.4‰) is interpreted as a result of both oxidation of OM and dissolution of carbonates. Calculated values of 36Cl/Cl show an abrupt discontinuity between the upgradient and downgradient sections that was also observed in δ18O and δ2H data. The gradual enrichment of 18O and 2H along the flow path could be the result of diffusion. The distinct differences in δ18O and δ2H between the upgradient and downgradient Wilcox aquifer suggest that the latter preserves a paleoclimatic signal.

Hypotheses on the efficiency of evidence-based printed materials can be directed by health communication concepts. These concepts can provide a general framework that goes beyond the traditional vulgarization point of view: instead, it points towards a strategy to obtain health outcomes and provoke behavior change, from a disease prevention, management and health promotion perspective. The present study proposes a comprehensive framework based on concepts from health risk communication, Tarde's theory of social values, usability, readability and plain language. Using the mapping approach, an evaluation grid was applied to printed evidence-based materials with proven effectiveness, in order to reveal the underlying strategy and isolate the characteristics of effective materials. The results allowed us to define two types of printed evidence-based materials, according to the robustness of the evidence they contain and the target audience. It was also possible to identify indicators of notions that are translated into operationalized items, frequent in those materials that might be responsible for their efficiency: clear purpose of the documents, limited scope, learning motivation and correspondence to the logic, experience and language of readers. Effectiveness of printed evidence-based materials could also be correlated to numeracy, objectiveness, standard definitions, constant timeframes and denominators, risks enumerated in order of importance, effective response, and high degree of threat, urgency, novelty and visibility of the disease. It was also possible to identify some missing communication concepts: cultural diversity, narrative, increased easiness of procedures and aesthetic advantage for the patient. In the process of work, the theory of social values emerged as a dynamic component that can bring together and explain many concepts, as well as physician’s acceptance of the guidelines. Value in terms of usefulness and truth plays a major role in cognitive appreciation of the documents. This concept gives a strategic meaning to the whole work and allows us to better understand attitude and behavior change.

The Danubian Plain is nothern part of the Pannonian Plain and in terms of palaeobotanical research it is an entirely unexplored area. However, this region is assumed to contain cryptic glacial refugia and migration routes of thermophilous biota northward after the Last Glacial Maximum. The late-glacial and Holocene natural long-term succession and temporal changes in the composition of plant communities of lowland lakes in the Slovakia is unknown. Šúr, a National Nature Reserve is a former lake, presently overgrown by alder carr forest. Successional development since the late-glacial was studied along two profiles. Macrofossil analysis was carried out on lake sediments extending to the Middle Pleniglacial (OIS 3). Using knowledge of the modern ecological requirements of taxa, past environmental conditions were reconstructed. The historical biogeography of selected plant species in Europe during the late- glacial and Holocene is also discussed. During the Middle Pleniglacial Myriophyllum spicatum and Chara sp. grew in the lake. During the late-glacial shallow basin contained a calcareous, meso- to eutrophic lake with Potamogeton filiformis, P. praelongus, Ranunculus subgen. Batrachium etc. During the early Holocene these elements disappeared and thermophilous plants immigrated, such as the...

In today’s multicultural society it is increasingly important that information is made available in a way that allows it to reach as many people as possible. The present study investigates the readability of the information provided in English on a Swedish municipality’s website. While Umeå Municipality sets a good example when it comes to providing information in foreign languages, the question is how easy the information is to read. The methods used to measure the readability of the texts were three automated readability formulas as well as additional analyses focusing on sentence structure and the number of clauses per word. The results show that despite obvious efforts to follow the guidelines for providing public information, more attention needs to be given to the form of the texts themselves. The complexity of the texts as gauged by the reading formulas was in all cases greater than what is recommended for information written for the general public. Some of the texts would seem to require the reader to have a college degree to fully comprehend the information. The supplementary analyses, especially when it comes to the number of clauses per sentence, confirmed the complexity of the texts. The importance of ‘writing for your audience’ thus seems to have been neglected for parts of the analysed material, which implies that some readers may not fully understand their rights and responsibilities regarding the areas addressed on the municipality’s website.