In order to guarantee structural integrity of marine structures in an effective way, operators of these structures seek an affordable, simple and robust system for monitoring detected cracks. Such systems are not yet available and the authors took a challenge to research a possibility of developing such a system. The paper describes the initial research steps made. In the first place, this includes reviewing conventional and recent methods for sensing and monitoring fatigue cracks and discussing their applicability for marine structures. A special attention is given to the promising but still developing new sensing techniques. In the second place, wireless network systems are reviewed because they form an attractive component of the desired system. The authors conclude that it is feasible to develop the monitoring system for detected cracks in marine structures and elaborate on implications of availability of such a system on risk based inspections and structural health monitoring systems
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OBJECTIVE: The Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) tool was designed to classify randomized clinical trials (RCT) as being more pragmatic or explanatory. We modified the PRECIS tool (called PRECIS-Review tool [PR-tool]) to grade individual trials and systematic reviews of trials. This should help policy makers, clinicians, researchers, and guideline developers to judge the applicability of individual trials and systematic reviews. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: To illustrate the usefulness and applicability of the PR-tool, we applied it to two systematic reviews. Each included RCT was scored on the 10 PRECIS domains on a scale of 1-5. After this scoring, a 10-domain average for each individual trial and for the systematic review a single domain average and an overall average was calculated. RESULTS: One review was more pragmatic with an average score of 3.7 (range, 2.9-4.6) on our PR-tool, whereas the other review was more explanatory with an average score of 1.9 (range, 1.1-3.3). The results also suggest that the included studies within each systematic review were rather uniform in their approach, although some domains seemed more prone to heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: The PR-tool provides a useful estimate that gives insight by estimating quantitatively how pragmatic each RCT in the review is, which methodological domains are pragmatic or explanatory, and how pragmatic the review is.
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Since the introduction of Family Group Conferences (FGCs) in the Netherlands, there has been a steady growth in conferences being organised each year. Government policy emphasises the importance of empowering families to strengthen their ability to take responsibility for their own well-being. A recently adopted amendment in the Dutch Civil Code reflects this commitment and designates FGC as good practice. However, there is little knowledge on the application of FGCs in mental health care, let alone in a setting even more specific, such as public mental health care (PMHC). Clients in PMHC often have a limited network. The starting point of this study is the assumption that conferences promote involvement, expand and restore relationships and generate support. Over the next two years, we will research the applicability of FGCs in PMHC by evaluating forty case studies. The aim of our study is to provide an answer to the question of whether Family Group Conferencing is an effective tool to generate social support, to prevent coercion and to promote social integration in PMHC. Although making contact and gaining trust is a goal of PMHC, it is an aim to study whether FGCs can elevate or replace the work of professionals.
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A substantial part of graduate education in veterinary medicine is spent in clinical practice. During the clinical experiential phase, it is difficult to monitor students' actual knowledge development: they build individual records of experiences based on the cases they have to deal with, while mainly focusing on knowledge that is of direct, clinical relevance to them. As a result, students' knowledge bases may differ to such a degree that a single test alone may not be able to provide an adequate reflection of progress made. In these circumstances, progress testing, which is a method of longitudinal assessment independent of the curricular structure, may offer a viable solution. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the extent to which progress tests (PT) can be used to monitor progress in knowledge development at a graduate level in veterinary medical education. With a 6-month interval, we administered two tests to students based on the Maastricht Progress Test format that covered a large variety of veterinary topics. Consequently, we analyzed students' progress in knowledge development. Based on a substantive appraisal of the questions and analysis of the test results, we concluded that the tests met the measurement criteria. They appeared sensitive enough to gauge the progress made and were appreciated by the students. Hence, in spite of the differences within the whole graduate group, the PT format can be used to monitor students' knowledge development.
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From the article: Within the HU University of Applied Sciences (HU) the department HU Services (HUS) has not got enough insight in their IT Service Management processes to align them to the new Information System that is implemented to support the service management function. The problem that rises from this is that it is not clear for the HU how the actual Incident Management process as facilitated by the application is actually executed. Subsequently it is not clear what adjustments have to be made to the process descriptions to have it resemble the process in the IT Service Management tool. To determine the actual process the HU wants to use Process Mining. Therefore the research question for this study is: ‘How is Process Mining applicable to determine the actual Incident Management process and align this to the existing process model descriptions?’ For this research a case study is performed using Process Mining to check if the actual process resembles like the predefined process. The findings show that it is not possible to mine the process within the scope of the predefined process. The event data are too limited in granularity. From this we conclude that adjustment of the granularity of the given process model to the granularity of the used event data or vice versa is important.
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Good reproduction is key for successful dairyfarming. Detection of estrus is the first step in getting acow pregnant. Visual detection of estrus is a challengingjob, to aid the farmer, estrus detection tools (EDT), suchas pedometers, neck mounted collars to measure activityand pressure sensing devices to measure standing estrus,have been developed. EDT have proven useful inpractical dairy farming, however, studies from the lastfive years reveal a great variation in sensitivity,specificity and positive predictive values. In research,the standard that is used to define a true estrus periodcan affect the performance of the EDT underinvestigation. Cow factors that can affect performanceof EDT are number of ovulation after calving, milkproduction, lactation number, body condition score andlameness. The second step in getting a cow pregnant isinsemination at the correct time. With EDT it is easierto determine optimal insemination time, which is 12 to24 h before ovulation. The optimal time interval inwhich to inseminate seems to be about 5 to 17 h after anincrease in activity as measured by pedometers or neckmounted collars. Novel measurements, such asrumination time, eating time, lying behavior, ultra-wideband technology to measure mounting and standing-tobe-mounted behavior and infrared thermography tomeasure temperature are being studied to further aidestrus detection.
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While criminality is digitizing, a theory-based understanding of the impact of cybercrime on victims is lacking. Therefore, this study addresses the psychological and financial impact of cybercrime on victims, applying the shattered assumptions theory (SAT) to predict that impact. A secondary analysis was performed on a representative data set of Dutch citizens (N = 33,702), exploring the psychological and financial impact for different groups of cybercrime victims. The results showed a higher negative impact on emotional well-being for victims of person-centered cybercrime, victims for whom the offender was an acquaintance, and victims whose financial loss was not compensated and a lower negative impact on emotional well-being for victims with a higher income. The study led to novel scientific insights and showed the applicability of the SAT for developing hypotheses about cybercrime victimization impact. In this study, most hypotheses had to be rejected, leading to the conclusion that more work has to be done to test the applicability of the SAT in the field of cybercrime. Furthermore, policy implications were identified considering the prioritization of and approach to specific cybercrimes, treatment of victims, and financial loss compensation.
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Artikel gepubliceerd in NTvG: Richtlijnen geven soms aan dat je iemands huidskleur of afkomst mee moet laten spelen bij de afwegingen over een behandeling. Een bekend voorbeeld hiervan zijn de specifieke behandeladviezen voor ‘zwarte personen’ met hypertensie. Wij gingen na hoe bruikbaar dit onderscheid is in de Nederlandse situatie. Elders in het NTvG leest u dat onderscheid maken soms nodig is om goede zorg te verlenen.1 De NHG-standaard ‘Cardiovasculair risicomanagement’ adviseert, net als belangrijke internationale richtlijnen, om ‘zwarte personen’ met hypertensie bij wie geen duidelijke voorkeur is voor een specifiek antihypertensivum op basis van bijvoorbeeld zwangerschap, hartfalen of albuminurie, anders te behandelen dan niet-zwarte personen.2,3 Wij zochten uit hoe bruikbaar dit advies is in de Nederlandse spreekkamer. De term ‘zwart’ Om deze vraag te beantwoorden is het noodzakelijk om eerst terminologie te verhelderen. In de NHG-standaard wordt de term ‘zwarte personen’ gebruikt, maar wie zijn dat eigenlijk? Zijn dat alle mensen ‘van kleur’ (met een niet-witte huidskleur of identiteit), of gaat het dan om iedereen met huidtype 5 of 6 volgens de Fitzpatrick-indeling (5: diepbruin, verbrandt bijna nooit; 6: zeer donkerbruin tot zwart, verbrandt nooit)?
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