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In contrast to a purely hermeneutic approach, content analysis is an empirical method for the systematic and largely objective description of communicational content. Initially, content analysis was understood merely as a technique for describing communicational content. In the course of methodological development, content analysis was expanded into a method of social science data acquisition. Content analytic work is established in a broad spectrum of social science research institutions; The method of content analysis has long been standard among communication scholars and is experiencing a renaissance among empirically working educators, psychologists, sociologists, linguists and political scientists. The approach of the following article can be briefly summarised as follows: First, the historical development and the theoretical foundations of content analysis are treated. After a brief outline of the historical development and the theoretical foundations of content analysis, the question of the definition of content analysis is addressed. Finally, the process and implementation plan of a content analysis is presented. Content analysis as an empirical method for surveying social reality is also established in Turkey within a wide variety of social science research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering is the property of Journal of Railway Science & Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The achievement of this work is that fine tuning of experimental and evaluation parameters can improve the absolute accuracy and reproducibility of selected area electron diffraction (SAED) to 0.1% without using internal standard. Due to the proposed procedure it was possible to reach a reproducibility better than 0.03% for camera length between sessions by careful control of specimen height and illumination conditions by monitoring lens currents. We applied a calibration specimen composed of nanocrystalline grains free of texture and providing narrow diffraction rings. Refinements of the centre of the diffraction pattern and corrections for elliptic ring distortions allowed for determining the ring diameters with an accuracy of 0.1%. We analyze the effect of different error sources and reason the achieved absolute accuracy of the measurement. Application of the proposed evaluation procedure is inevitable in case of multicomponent nanocomposites or textured materials and/or having close diffraction rings where application of automated procedures is limited. The achieved accuracy of 0.1% without internal standard is approaching that of routine laboratory XRD, and reduction of instrumental broadening due to the elaborated evaluation procedure allows for separation of close reflections, provides more reliable ring width and thus improved input parameters for further nanostructure analysis as demonstrated on dental enamel bioapatite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing the outdated building stock through more efficient circular processes such as reuse appears to be a sustainable strategy to undertake in limiting the environmental impacts of the building sector. Nevertheless, neither the ties between sustainability and circularity are clear, nor the convenience of architectural reuse processes in environmental and economic terms. The study developed a decision-making tool, a fast self-assessment procedure supporting designers in understanding the convenience in using reclaimed building elements from the project concept. Using desk study and case study methods, and adopting a comprehensive sustainability perspective, the investigation focused on the parameters to use and on the characteristics of the evaluation. Five parameters were identified for the environmental, economic and social assessment. Two scenarios were then compared, the workflows and the boundaries for the evaluation defined, and the direct and indirect impacts on the overall processes evaluated. The results of the case study allowed validating the procedure developed, in both its ease of performing and the comprehensive sustainability perspective. Although the research would benefit from further field testing, it provides an alternative tool for evaluating the circular outcomes in the architectural field, and to develop the sustainability of the built environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Businesses face different types of risks, especially financial ones. Because these are the most feared due to the effect they have on the business operation, the present study is focused on describing the financial risk assessment procedure in importing companies. Methodologically, it is a descriptive field study of importing and marketing companies of motor vehicles, in the municipality of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Statistically, the ANOVA analysis of variance and Tukey's Hoc tests were made. The purpose of it is to know the positioning of the dimension with its respective indicators. It was found that the observed companies erroneously applied the financial risk assessment process; since they track the investments and later identify the administrative errors to later apply corrective actions. Therefore, mitigating the uncertainties originated and supervising the way of obtaining funds to achieve operational investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topically applied pharmaceuticals in the form of patches that distribute medications for systemic effects at predefined and controlled rates are known as "transdermal drug delivery systems." The main function of TDDS is penetration of drug through skin. It works extremely simple, with the medicine being put within the patch and is placed on the skin. As a result, a consistent concentration of medication remains in the bloodstream for an extended period. They come in variety of forms, including single-layer drugs in adhesives; inter drugs in adhesives, buffers, and matrix systems. The market price of TDDS products is rapidly expanding. More than 35 items have now been authorized for sale in the United States, and roughly 16 active substances have been approved for usage as a TDDS globally. It is a drug delivery system that has a bright future. It helps in reducing use of syringes for administering a wide range of drugs, but the price is an essential aspect to consider because developing countries like India have the world's second-largest population, but TDDS is a secret part of treatment used for the general population due to rising costs. This review article on transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) contains information on the transdermal drug delivery system, Advanced development and the evaluation procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disassemblability evaluation is an important part of product maintainability design. Currently, the disassemblability evaluation of complex products is not systematic and complete. The main problems include (1) the existing methods are limited to individual components, ignoring the evaluation of the whole product; and (2) most studies focus on the single disassembly operations rather than a complete process. To address these problems, this paper proposes a hierarchical and process-oriented evaluation framework. Firstly, from the levels of component and product, a two-level evaluation index system is constructed, and the selected evaluation indexes reflect the features of both current operation and previous disassembly process. Secondly, based on Look-up Table, virtual maintenance, and simple algebraic operations, the evaluation indexes are quantified successively. Thirdly, a hierarchical evaluation procedure is presented, which includes two levels and four types of evaluations. Based on the synthetic application of different types of evaluations, the disassemblability of a product can be fully evaluated and understood. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed framework is verified by a case study of an electronic cabin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semantic relatedness between words is a core concept in natural language processing. While countless approaches have been proposed, measuring which one works best is still a challenging task. Thus, in this article, we give a comprehensive overview of the evaluation protocols and datasets for semantic relatedness covering both intrinsic and extrinsic approaches. One the intrinsic side, we give an overview of evaluation datasets covering more than 100 datasets in 20 different languages from a wide range of domains. To provide researchers with better guidance for selecting suitable dataset or even building new and better ones, we describe also the construction and annotation process of the datasets. We also shortly describe the evaluation metrics most frequently used for intrinsic evaluation. As for the extrinsic side, several applications involving semantic relatedness measures are detailed through recent research works and by explaining the benefit brought by the measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flexibility evaluation of distribution networks has attracted significant research attention with the increasing penetration of renewable energy. One particular gap in existing studies is that little attention has been paid to the probabilistic characteristics of uncertain regions. In this study, a novel sequential flexibility evaluation method is proposed based on the feasibility analysis of the uncertain region of photovoltaic active power and load demand. The model features the uncertain region with probabilistic characteristics, which is essential for analysing the impact of probabilistic characteristics of uncertain variables (PCUVs) on flexibility evaluation. The sequential direction matrix is adopted to reflect the major factor of flexibility shortage. The evaluation procedure is modelled as a bi‐level optimisation problem. Demonstrated by the simulation results, the flexibility index is larger by considering the PCUV. Furthermore, the elements in the sequential direction matrix indicate that the photovoltaic power during midday is the major cause of flexibility shortage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management and preservation of structures in our built environment are central and challenging tasks for practicing engineers. Within the CEN member states (European Committee for Standardization), the so-called Eurocodes form the basis of the design and verification of the load-bearing capacity of structures. Current Eurocodes do not contain special recommendations for existing structures, meaning that the principles for new structures are applied. This can lead to an incorrect estimation of the load-bearing capacity within the semi-probabilistic safety concept. A central task within the investigation and evaluation of existing structures is the strength grading of the material in situ using non-/semi-destructive technical devices. Studies show the potential of the ultrasonic time-of-flight measurement in combination with visual evaluation for an improved grading. The information on the material from an improved grading technique can be used to update the material parameters as a target variable using a measured reference variable. In this contribution, test data from a partner project (spruce, pine, and oak) are analyzed, applying the stochastic grading model of Pöhlmann and Rackwitz. It can be shown that different grading techniques influence the updated distribution function of the material strength within the grade. The results depend on the timber species. Perspectives to develop updated models dependent on the knowledge available are shown and discussed.

Internet is becoming one of the most adopted technologies of all times and one of its particular uses concerns the public health issues. The search for health related information and the exchange of experiences and opinions on symptoms and treatments is one of the main activities associated with eHealth websites, hence the need for these websites to be accessible to everybody, including those with some sort of disability. Nevertheless, when assessing the level of the WCAG 2.0 compliance of Iberian eHealth websites, the results achieved during a two stage, one year apart, evaluation indicated that these websites were definitely not accessible. By adding this finding to other similar results achieved by means of similar researches we believe that a new full scope Web accessibility and usability evaluation procedure was needed and is now presented. The referred proposal aims at creating a basis for both organisations and Web developers to understand how to perform an adequate assessment of their websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a complete evaluation procedure of energy-saving and efficiency improvement for a large-scale hospital retrofit project has been established and successfully validated in Taiwan. The retrofit scheme, in integrating the alternative hot water system, namely, a water source heat pump (WSHP), with the existing HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning) system, enables the capability to meet the cooling and hot water demand simultaneously with a larger safety margin as well as saving energy. In addition, it has been found that the integrated system provides a new source for cooling which can be utilized as a system redundancy in avoiding system shutdown. This is very useful when considering in specific areas in the hospital, such as intensive care unit, or operation rooms, where cooling should not be interrupted on any occasion. In this study, it is validated that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the newly added WSHP system, under heating and cooling mode, is 3.62 and 2.62, respectively. The recorded annual cost reduction by this integrated system is $102,564, with a payback of 1.2 years. The hospital after retrofit has been operating safer, with more redundancy, and more energy-efficient which warrants tremendous potential for implementation in the industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Education / Revue Canadienne de l'Éducation is the property of Canadian Society for the Study of Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

On existing conditions on global market (almost identical quality, almost identical purchasing values) companies have to definite the total rating of importance of evaluative criteria. In post-crisis period the problem of suppliers’ evaluation is one of the biggest, because companies had to use all resources and all possibilities to develop their own business. Many authors wrote about collaborative planning and warehousing as one of possibilities to optimization work inside supply chain. For this paper define small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) as enterprises with the size of maximum 250 em­ployers. In literature was read we couldn’t find information about own system of suppliers evaluation for small and medium-sized enterprises. SME can have some different types of business and in this case need the universal system of eva­lua­tion. The research of this paper is oriented on small and medium-sized enterprises with different types of business. The new theoretical universal method of calculation for evaluation existing suppliers for small and medium-sized enterprises will present in this paper. This theoretical method is based on average values. This method includes traditional evaluative criteria (quality, delivery time) and other (mobility of supplier, possibilities of new level of partnership). This method of evaluation can not be used for continual manufacture. New method can improve the total evaluation of supplier in small and medium-sized enterprises.

The major goals of this paper are to evaluate the serviceability of bridges with vibration problems among these structures in actual use, and to establish the evaluation criteria based on the evaluation results. To accomplish these goals, the vehicle’s weight, moving velocity, displacement from the measurement position, and acceleration were measured through the field test to evaluate the bridge’s serviceability with respect to its vibration characteristics. Furthermore, the vibration characteristics of the bridge were analyzed with respect to various factors that influence its vibration. For this purpose, the three-axle truck used in the field test was modelled as the moving vehicle with 8 degrees of freedom, and the bridge considered was modelled using the frame element. According to the comparison of the analytical and experimental results, the analytical method that was used to evaluate the bridge’s vibration serviceability as suggested in this paper based on the results of the analysis and field test is feasible.

Algunas complicaciones maternas perinatales específicas pueden ser determinantes en el desarrollo infantil. Se constata que muchos niños con una amplia variedad de alteraciones han sufrido diversas complicaciones durante su desarrollo gestacional. Por lo tanto, los riesgos maternos ocurridos a lo largo del período pre-perinatal llevan asociados, en ocasiones, diferentes daños, sean neuropsicológicos, físicos y/o psicosociales. En el presente artículo se identifican los principales factores asociados al riesgo perinatal y sus implicaciones, haciendo un recorrido por los procedimientos estandarizados de evaluación del riesgo, desde la perspectiva médico neuropsicológica y psicosocial del neonato.Some specific perinatal maternal complications can become key factors in child development. It is known that many children having a wide variety of alterations have suffered different complications during their gestational development. The maternal risks which have taken place throughout the preperinatal period thus sometimes entail associated different damage which can be neuropsychological, physical and/or psycho-social. This report identifies the main factors associated with perinatal risk and their implications; the standard procedures for risk evaluation are shown from a medical-neuropsychological perspective and the newborn's psycho-social viewpoint.

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through energy reduction in buildings is a high priority for policy-makers in the European Union and elsewhere. However, although long-term sustainability targets exist on the societal level, it is not obvious how these targets may trickle down to individual sectors and further down to specific organizations or buildings. The aim of this paper is to illustrate an approach for evaluating renovation measures in order to identify appropriate target levels in early project stages and what is needed to achieve a number of proposed sustainability targets. The evaluation approach is supported by a tool that can be seen as an aid to making rough estimations of the environmental impacts. Sustainability target levels in a Swedish context are presented for three issues: operational energy use, GHG emissions due to total energy use for building operation, and embodied GHG emissions due to production of materials. The approach to support well-grounded retrofit decisions is shown with a case study. The tool developed, in combination with a suggested step-by-step evaluation approach, provides an effective way to evaluate various potential improvements, and their consequences, in early project stages. However, other tools with similar functionality may be used. Results from the case illustration imply that it is possible to achieve the proposed sustainability targets for operational energy use by implementing nine measures. However, the targets for GHG emissions for operational energy use and embodied GHG emissions were not achieved because of an energy supply with too high a share of non-renewable fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Development of principles and approaches to the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality management system. Methods. Methodical research is the foundation of ideology TQM, BSC concept and methods of organizing and analysis that made it possible to analyze the existing principles, approaches, tools and mechanisms for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality management system. Results. Existing methods, principles and approaches to the evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality management system and identified the most promising. Scientific innovation. A model for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality management system based on a process approach and conception BSC, which can simultaneously accommodate the interests and satisfaction of all stakeholders. The practice significance. The proposed procedures, which allow in practice to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of processes and QMS based on the results develop corrective and preventive action to improve business processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protocol was developed and applied in a field survey to incorporate evaluation of herd welfare into the existing quality assurance program in Dutch dairy farming. Welfare was derived from the state of the biological needs of cows. Welfare targets and critical control points were selected according to HACCP principles, while restriction was to dairy herds with loose-cubicle housing (>90% of Dutch herds). The feasibility for measurement of the protocol was tested in a pilot study with 52 preselected, medium-sized herds for time needed for the observations (set at ~1 h to 2 h ), robustness of parameters (threshold of 80% true cases for repeated scores), and opinions from inspectors and farmers, which were variable but positive on average. The final protocol consisted of 16 animal-based and 14 environment-based parameters. From a random sample of 240 dairy herds (1% of Dutch farms), 164 herds (12,267 cows) with median herd size of 67 cows (SD=38) participated in the field survey, on a voluntary basis. The time needed for scoring averaged 78 min (SD=22) per herd. Animal-based parameters included leg disorders, normal and abnormal locomotion, external lesions, skin and teat problems, poor body condition, and fearfulness of the herd. Herd prevalence averaged highest for abnormal locomotion (43.8%), swollen hocks and knees (25.2%), dermatophytosis (24.2%), scabies (20.1%), and filthiness (17.4%). However, herd prevalence was lowest (<2%) for lying down in passageways, clinical mastitis, and arthritis. Analysis on percentiles revealed large variation between herds for most parameters. ‘Fearfulness’ was scored ‘calm’ or ‘extremely calm’ in 68% of herds. Overall, our data suggest that herds were distinguishable by scoring ‘generally good’ or ‘generally poor’ for a wide set of animal-based parameters ( p <0.05). Environment-based parameters included technical dimensions and stocking densities of the feeding gate and cubicles, availability of feed at the feeding gate, the floor of cubicles, and access to and hygiene of drinking water. The scores were analyzed on basis of statistical parameters and prevalence distribution, and were compared with existing technical Dutch recommendations, the ‘standard’. Deviations from the recommendations could partly be attributed to the age of the facilities. For most herds, the cubicle bed was a rubber mat (44%) or mattress (21%), whereas litter as bedding material was observed in 21% of herds; but there was no Dutch standard. For stocking rates of the feeding gate and cubicles, the results were variable. But for lactating cows, the average stocking rates of feeding gate (103.6%; SD=26.7) and cubicles (95.8%; SD=14.1) were close to standard (100%). Provision, hygiene, and access to drinking water were generally according to requirement (>96% of herds). Overall, our results indicate various directions for welfare improvement in practice, both at the individual farm and sector level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, test design, assessment and evaluation procedures have received much attention and have focused on concepts such as quality, validity and reliability. Obviously this is also true for the highly complex testing of interpreters' skills, including legal interpreting. In this paper, we will first discuss the significant changes that have been made in the final examination procedure at the end of the LIT (Legal Interpreting and Translation) course at KULeuven, Antwerp campus, which have been complemented by an introductory workshop for the graders. It is important to mention that graders can be language experts as well as external legal experts (judges, prosecutors, police officers, lawyers, etc.) The comparison of the scores of candidates between 2008 and 2013 (a period in which different evaluation grids were used) shows a tendency towards more overall failures. In addition to this, an analysis of the graders' comments demonstrates that results are more consistent and that graders' comments mirror the results better. The new evaluation method clearly leaves less room for grader subjectivity, which presumably points to the fact that candidates are tested in a more transparent and reliable way. Follow-up research (in grader focus groups) and observations of the actual evaluation process will enable us to ensure that graders are comfortable with the new method and to check if they use it in a consistent way. Verifying whether the overall procedure actually produces better and more competent legal interpreters is a further important step needed to complete this research project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eine detaillierte Untersuchung der Ermüdungssicherheit von stählernen Hängern in bestehenden Stabbogenbrücken erfordert in der Regel umfangreiche Nachrechnungen an räumlichen Gesamttragwerken und an Hänger-Teilmodellen. Zur einheitlichen und kostengünstigen Beurteilung dieser Problematik wurde für die betroffenen Bauwerke der Wasser- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung als alternative Vorgehensweise ein ingenieurmäßiges Bewertungsverfahren erarbeitet. Dieses basiert auf Näherungslösungen, die eine Abschätzung der in Rundstahlhängern und ihren Anschlussbereichen auftretenden Beanspruchungen durch Winderregung und Verkehr erlauben. Zwei der hierzu entwickelten Näherungsverfahren - zur Eigenfrequenzermittlung sowie zur Bestimmung von relevanten Biegebeanspruchungen in Hängern - werden nachfolgend beschrieben. Approximation method to evaluate the fatigue design of hangers. A detailed investigation of the fatigue design of steel hangers in existing arch bridges usually requires extensive recalculations using 3D models of the complete structure and partial submodels of the hangers. As an alternative approach, an engineering assessment procedure has been developed to evaluate the affected bridges of the German waterways and shipping administration, to ensure standardised and economic treatment of this issue. It is based on approximate methods that make it possible to estimate the loads in round steel hangers and their connection areas under the influence of wind and traffic. Two of the approximation methods developed for this purpose - the determination of the natural frequency and of relevant bending stresses in hangers - are described below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with evaluating an interactive learning environment (ILE) during the iterative-design process. Various aspects of the system must be assessed and a number of evaluation methods are available. In designing the ILE Ambre-add, several techniques were combined to test and refine the system. In particular, we point out the merits of combining measures of the ILE's impact on learning with analyses of the learner's activity. In this article, the approach used to evaluate Ambre-add is described and analyzed, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Then, a general procedure for evaluating ILEs during iterative design is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes quality evaluation procedure and gives example of its application. The purpose of the paper is to propose a way to determine specification language appropriateness for concrete project.

Welded bond quality is a very important working aspect for the manufacturing and construction industries. A product is affected by quality of welding. A set of evaluation methods for welding operators is proposed in this paper, based on a theoretical analysis, to assure the quality of product. A new index using a categorical quantity expression to evaluate the welding performance is proposed. The mathematical relationship of welding performance, number of bad welds and the maximum tolerable number of bad welds are derived. Then, the best estimators and the deviations of this index are statistically inferred. Finally, a procedure and criteria are proposed to evaluate the performance of a welding operator. This evaluation method can be used in decision-making for the selection of a welding operator. Besides, it can also be used as an analytical tool to evaluate and improve the welding ability of a welding technician and the welding performance of a welding operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common approach to wavelength measurement is the travelling interferometer (wavemeter). We present an evaluation procedure that allows to achieve high precision with a compact device. The zero crossings of the interference signal corresponding to the reference laser is used to sample the signal of the probe laser. Electronic noise and fluctuations of the laser frequency cancel due to the large number of sample points. The evaluation procedure has been applied to a wavemeter based on a continuously moving Mach–Zehnder interferometer. A travelling path of 10 cm was sufficient to yield 3σ-accuracy of Δλ/λ=3.2×10−9, demonstrated by comparison with cesium saturation spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mechanical properties and low cycle fatigue are two factors that must be considered in developing new type steel for shock absorption. Process capability and process control are significant factors in achieving the purpose of research and development programs. Often-used evaluation methods failed to measure process yield and process centering; so this paper uses Taguchi loss function as basis to establish an evaluation method and the steps for assessing the quality of mechanical properties and process control of an iron and steel manufacturer. The establishment of this method can serve the research and development and manufacturing industry and lay a foundation in enhancing its process control ability to select better manufacturing processes that are more reliable than decision making by using the other commonly used methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late blight incidence under natural epiphytotic conditions was recorded on 270 potato germplasm accessions for three years. Replication effect was non-significant, whereas genotype and year effects were significant for AUDPC (area under disease progress curve). Disease incidence on the second date of observation (when the control had almost completely blighted) accounted for 85 to 96 percent of the variation in AUDPC. Spearman’s Rank correlation coefficients between AUDPC and disease incidence grades scored on 1–9 and 1–5 scales (on second date of observation) based on the means of three years data were similar to those calculated based on the means of any two years. It is concluded that grading the accessions based on discrete scales at an appropriate single date for two years in a non-replicated trial would be sufficient robust to broadly group accessions into different levels of resistance to late blight. Ten accessions were found to be highly resistant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]