Two-branes with variable tension model and the effective Newtonian constant

It is shown that, in the two brane time variation model framework, if the hidden brane tension varies according to the phenomenological Eotvos law, the visible brane tension behavior is such that its time derivative is negative in the past and positive after a specific time of cosmological evolution. This behavior is interpreted in terms of a useful mechanical system analog and its relation with the variation of the Newtonian (effective) gravitational constant is explored.

Patient satisfaction with maxillofacial prosthesis. Literature review

Obturators and facial prostheses are important not only in rehabilitation and aesthetics, but also in patient re-socialisation. The level of reintegration is directly related to the degree of satisfaction with rehabilitation. So, the maxillofacial prosthetics must provide patient satisfaction during treatment. This study aimed to search information in database and conduct a literature review on patient satisfaction with maxillofacial prosthesis. The problems experienced by these patients may decrease when specialists keep the patient on regular inspection. Rehabilitation through alloplasty or prosthetic restoration provides satisfactory conditions in aesthetics and well-being and reinstates individuals in familial and social environment. (C) 2008 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

LEAST ACTION PRINCIPLE and THE INCOMPRESSIBLE EULER EQUATIONS WITH VARIABLE DENSITY

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Notes on the two-brane model with variable tension

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Joint (X)over-bar and R charts with variable sample sizes and sampling intervals

Recent studies have shown that the (X) over bar chart with variable sampling intervals (VSI) and/or with variable sample sizes (VSS) detects process shifts faster than the traditional (X) over bar chart. This article extends these studies for processes that are monitored by both the (X) over bar and R charts. A Markov chain model is used to determine the properties of the joint (X) over bar and R charts with variable sample sizes and sampling intervals (VSSI). The VSSI scheme improves the joint (X) over bar and R control chart performance in terms of the speed with which shifts in the process mean and/or variance are detected.

AATS for the (X)over-bar chart with variable parameters

A Fortran computer program is given for the computation of the adjusted average time to signal, or AATS, for adaptive (X) over bar charts with one, two, or all three design parameters variable: the sample size, n, the sampling interval, h, and the factor k used in determining the width of the action limits. The program calculates the threshold limit to switch the adaptive design parameters and also provides the in-control average time to signal, or ATS.

(X)over-bar charts with variable parameters

Varying the parameters of the (X) over bar chart has been explored extensively in recent years. In this paper, we extend the study of the (X) over bar chart with variable parameters to include variable action limits. The action limits establish whether the control should be relaxed or not. When the (X) over bar falls near the target, the control is relaxed so that there will be more time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be smaller than usual. When the (X) over bar falls far from the target but not in the action region, the control is tightened so that there is less time before the next sample and/or the next sample will be larger than usual. The goal is to draw the action limits wider than usual when the control is relaxed and narrower than usual when the control is tightened. This new feature then makes the (X) over bar chart more powerful than the CUSUM scheme in detecting shifts in the process mean.

(X)OVER-BAR CHARTS WITH VARIABLE SAMPLE-SIZE

The usual practice in using a control chart to monitor a process is to take samples of size n from the process every h hours This article considers the properties of the XBAR chart when the size of each sample depends on what is observed in the preceding sample. The idea is that the sample should be large if the sample point of the preceding sample is close to but not actually outside the control limits and small if the sample point is close to the target. The properties of the variable sample size (VSS) XBAR chart are obtained using Markov chains. The VSS XBAR chart is substantially quicker than the traditional XBAR chart in detecting moderate shifts in the process.

Economic design of (X)over-bar charts with variable parameters: the Markov chain approach

This paper presents an economic design of (X) over bar control charts with variable sample sizes, variable sampling intervals, and variable control limits. The sample size n, the sampling interval h, and the control limit coefficient k vary between minimum and maximum values, tightening or relaxing the control. The control is relaxed when an (X) over bar value falls close to the target and is tightened when an (X) over bar value falls far from the target. A cost model is constructed that involves the cost of false alarms, the cost of finding and eliminating the assignable cause, the cost associated with production in an out-of-control state, and the cost of sampling and testing. The assumption of an exponential distribution to describe the length of time the process remains in control allows the application of the Markov chain approach for developing the cost function. A comprehensive study is performed to examine the economic advantages of varying the (X) over bar chart parameters.

Patients' Expectations of and Satisfaction with Implant-Supported Fixed Partial Dentures and Single Crowns

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Communication that values patient autonomy is associated with satisfaction with care: a systematic review

Question: Which communication factors used by clinicians during patient-clinician interactions are associated with satisfaction with care? Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis of studies investigating the association of verbal or nonverbal factors or interaction styles used by clinicians with patient satisfaction during an encounter between clinician and patient. Participants: Clinicians interacting with patients in primary care or rehabilitation settings. Results: Twenty-seven studies investigated 129 verbal, nonverbal, and interaction style factors. of these, 38 factors were consistently associated with satisfaction. Verbal factors concerning clinicians involving, facilitating, and supporting patients were associated with satisfaction with care. Most communication factors presented a fair correlation (r >= 0.21 but < 0.41) with satisfaction with care. Nonverbal factors such as time spent discussing prevention and time spent reading patient charts had a fair association with satisfaction with care (correlations range from 0.21 to 0.40). A moderate association was found between interaction styles such as caring (pooled r = 0.51, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.60) and satisfaction with care. Over half (58%) of the 129 identified factors never associated with satisfaction with care and the remainder associated inconsistently. Conclusion: The number of potential modifiable communication factors associated with satisfaction with care and the magnitude of their association partially support interventions to train clinicians in communication skills that value patient autonomy. [Oliveira VC, Refshauge KM, Ferreira ML, Pinto RZ, Beckenkamp PR, Negrao Filho RF, Ferreira PH (2012) Communication that values patient autonomy is associated with satisfaction with care: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy 58: 215-229]

X̄ charts with variable sample size

The usual practice in using a control chart to monitor a process is to take samples of size n from the process every h hours. This article considers the properties of the X̄ chart when the size of each sample depends on what is observed in the preceding sample. The idea is that the sample should be large if the sample point of the preceding sample is close to but not actually outside the control limits and small if the sample point is close to the target. The properties of the variable sample size (VSS) X̄ chart are obtained using Markov chains. The VSS X̄ chart is substantially quicker than the traditional X̄ chart in detecting moderate shifts in the process.

X̄ chart with variable sample size and sampling intervals

Recent theoretical studies have shown that the X̄ chart with variable sampling intervals (VSI) and the X̄ chart with variable sample size (VSS) are quicker than the traditional X̄ chart in detecting shifts in the process. This article considers the X̄ chart with variable sample size and sampling intervals (VSSI). It is assumed that the amount of time the process remains in control has exponential distribution. The properties of the VSSI X̄ chart are obtained using Markov chains. The VSSI X̄ chart is even quicker than the VSI or VSS X̄ charts in detecting moderate shifts in the process.

AATS for the X̄ Chart with Variable Parameters

A Fortran computer program is given for the computation of the adjusted average time to signal, or AATS, for adaptive X̄ charts with one, two, or all three design parameters variable: the sample size, n, the sampling interval, h, and the factor k used in determining the width of the action limits. The program calculates the threshold limit to switch the adaptive design parameters and also provides the in-control average time to signal, or ATS.