Objective measurement

Objective Measurement ofiWool in Australia, AustraHan Wool Corp., Melbourne, AustraHa, 1973. 

The properties of the finished beer vary with the type of beer and place of origin. The figures in Table 1 do not, however, show much about the quaUty of the beer this can only partly be expressed in figures based on objective measurements. The quahty consists of aroma, taste, appearance, (color, clarity) formation, and stabiUty of foam. Of these, the first two ate still inaccessible to objective measurement. Although the aroma of a product is determined by the quantity of volatile alcohols, etc, the quahty of the product caimot be expressed in those terms. Appearance, foam formation, and foam stabiUty can be evaluated more easily. For judgment on taste and aroma, taste-testing panels ate the only method. 

Objective, measurable criteria are always best, while subjective criteria are risky and subject to interpretation. There should be no room for doubt or ambiguity, although this is often difficult to achieve. It is also important to be clear about what the project output is expected to accomplish. For instance, these three outcomes may produce entirely different results the project/product performs the specified functions it was built according to approved design or it solves the client s problem. 

Whereas pattern (b) is intuitively the most complex of the three patterns, it has neither the highest entropy (which belongs to pattern (c)) or the lowest (which belongs to pattern (a)). Indeed, were we to plot our intuitive sense of complexity as a function of the amount of order or disorder in a system, it would probably look something like that shown in figure 12.2. The problem is to find an objective measure of the complexity of a system that matches this intuition. 

The methods described make possible the objective measurement of color of foods and a designation in standardized psychophysical terms. However, the psychological significance of food colors is not directly apparent from results expressed... 

Maturity. With the harvesting of the crop comes the first opportunity for application of objective measures of quality. The stage of maturity at which the crop is harvested is of great importance, for it is capable of having a marked effect upon the color, flavor, and texture of the finished product. 

Among the chemical methods proposed for the objective measurement of maturity may be listed total solids, alcohol-insoluble solids, and starch, based upon the fact that these constituents increase in concentration with maturity. Each has its limitations and advantages, and all are equally applicable as long as the limitations are taken into account. These methods as they apply to frozen peas have been discussed by Nielsen and co-workers (31) and by Lee (22). 

J> < 0.01) and also more cost-effective, mainly because of the higher number of hospital admissions in the TCA group. This study had limitations in that patients prescribed TCAs were not randomly selected, a quarter of the patients in the TCA group failed to receive an effective dose, and objective measurements of outcome were not employed. Multivariate analysis suggested that despite the methodological limitations of the study, the differences in cost were due to the treatment received, and not to differences in patient characteristics. This study provides the first, albeit tentative, evidence of superior cost-effectiveness for SSRIs over TCAs in the UK. 

The more synchronised the activity of the cortical neurons, the greater the summation of currents and the larger and slower the EEG wave, as in the sleep pattern (Fig. 22.4). While there are some dissociations between EEG pattern and behavioural states, the EEG offers one way of determining experimentally the pathways (and neurotransmitters) that control arousal and sleep, and can be regarded as an important objective measurement of the cortical correlates of sleep and waking. 

Spirometry, an objective measure of pulmonary function, can be used to assist in confirming the diagnosis of asthma. The primary pulmonary function tests used to assist in the diagnosis of asthma are the forced expiratory volume in... 

Treatment of severe acute asthma includes the use of oxygen for the rapid reversal of hypoxemia, a short-acting P2-agonist to reverse airway constriction, and a systemic corticosteroid to attenuate the inflammatory response.1 Close monitoring of objective measures such as FEVi or PEF is important to quantify the response to therapy. Because recovery from exacerbations is often gradual, intensified therapy should be continued for several days. 

Monitor the patient s seizure frequency and characteristics. The only objective measure ofefficacy of AEDs is a count of seizure frequency. Ask patients to keep seizure calendars, noting the numbers and types of seizures that occur and have them bring the calendars to clinic at every visit for analysis and documentation of seizure frequency. 

Determine success of the overall treatment plan by obtaining a thorough history of adverse events experienced with the previous chemotherapy/endocrine therapy treatment and objective measures of response to therapy. Assess effects on quality-of-life measures such as physical, psychological, and social function and well-being. 

Lefebvre M, Yee D, Fritz D, et al. 1991. Objective measures of ocular irritation as a consequence of hydrogen sulphide exposure. Vet Hum Toxicol 33 564-566. 

Assessing the outcome of EN includes monitoring objective measures of body composition, protein and energy balance, and subjective outcome for physiologic muscle function and wound healing. 

Objective measurements of airflow obstruction with a home peak flow meter may not necessarily improve patient outcomes. The NAEPP advocates use of PEF monitoring only for patients with severe persistent asthma who have difficulty perceiving airway obstruction. 

As with other bronchodilators in COPD, parameters other than objective measurements such as FEVj should be monitored to assess efficacy. Subjective parameters, such as perceived improvements in dyspnea and exercise tolerance, are important in assessing the acceptability of methylxanthines for COPD patients. 

Diagnosis of BPH requires a careful medical history, physical examination, objective measures of bladder emptying (e.g., peak and average urinary... 

Adding accessories for polarized light to a CAM enables us to use the photometer for an objective measurement of extinction positions (the darkest point when the analyzer is rotated). All that is required is to adapt... 

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