Subject study methodology

ITUTsgl2sq2.93, 1993] ITUTsgl2sq2.93 (July 1993). Subjective test methodology for a 8 kbit/s speech coder. ITU-T Study Group 12, Speech Quality Expert Group. Document SQ-2.93. 

Study Methodology. The study leader (who bears a lot of responsibility) divides the process into a series of blocks or sections. Each section is then subjected to a brainstorming exercise when the team ponders issues of (essentially) fire, explosion, toxic release and mechanical energy release, how they might arise and the control measures required either to stop the event or cater for its consequences. The starting point for the examination of each section is a prompt from the table below. 

Stable Isotope methodology has recently become sufficiently developed to permit relatively precise measurement of zinc absorption In human subjects. The methodology using Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis has been validated and Is now being applied to the study of the effects of various dietary and host factors on the availability of dietary zinc. However, additional analytical developments and refinements will be necessary before a maximum utilization of this safe and non-lnvaslve method Is... 

Cyclic P-diketones and their derivatives have also been the subject of aza-annulation studies. Methodology studies with enamine derivative 171 established the effectiveness of acryloyl chloride (64) for the formation of 172 (eq. 39).56 Aza-annulation with a p-substituted acrylate derivative was most efficiently accomplished through the use of diester Michael acceptors, as exemplified by reaction of 173 with 174 in the generation of 175 (eq. 40).63... 

These observations lead to the hypothesis that isoflavones may be biologically active, conferring health benefits that could explain the relatively low incidence of hormone-dependent diseases in countries where soy is a dietary staple. However, the effects of soy consumption on hormonal metabolism have been inconsistent, probably as a result of methodological differences in the studies as regards the characteristics of the subjects, study design, isoflavone form and other factors [7],... 

Once the fundametal concepts have been established, they are all combined in the discussion of the collection of examples proposed in levels 2 and 3. Now the cases have been placed in order of increasing difficulty from easy to medium in level 2 and medium to difficult in level 3, mixing the different techniques and data to understand the different aspects of the example under discussion. All examples are treated in detail following the same methodology introduction, experimental data and discussion. Key points, additional references and solved questions related to the main subject studied are also included. 

Europe, the USA and Japan are under way. In these studies, semen analysis methodology and subject selection criteria have been standardised to address whether there are region-specific differences in semen quality. These data can then be used as a reference point for any studies on future decline in sperm counts. More importantly, it still remains to be demonstrated whether the reported decrease in semen quality is sufficient to compromise fertility. 

Measurement of exposure can be made by determining levels of toxic chemicals in human serum or tissue if the chemicals of concern persist in tissue or if the exposure is recent. For most situations, neither of these conditions is met. As a result, most assessments of exposure depend primarily on chemical measurements in environmental media coupled with semi-quantitative assessments of environmental pathways. However, when measurements in human tissue are possible, valuable exposure information can be obtained, subject to the same limitations cited above for environmental measurement methodology. Interpretation of tissue concentration data is dependent on knowledge of the absorption, excretion, metabolism, and tissue specificity characteristics for the chemical under study. The toxic hazard posed by a particular chemical will depend critically upon the concentration achieved at particular target organ sites. This, in turn, depends upon rates of absorption, transport, and metabolic alteration. Metabolic alterations can involve either partial inactivation of toxic material or conversion to chemicals with increased or differing toxic properties. 

It should be mentioned that the Food Additives Analytical Manual (FAAM) [75] provides analysts with FDA evaluated methodology (partly subjected to collaborative study) needed to determine compliance with food additive regulations, including procedures for indirect food additives, such as butylated hydroxy-anisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), t-butylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ), dilaurylthiopropionate (DLTDP), fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), sodium benzoate, sorbitol, and others. 

This chapter focuses on two main subjects. It will first deal with knowledge and methodologies of good practice in the study of chemical and microbial processes in wastewater collection systems. The information on such processes is provided by investigations, measurements and analyses performed at bench, pilot and field scale. Second, it is the objective to establish the theoretical basis for determination of parameters to be used for calibration and validation of sewer process models. These main objectives of the chapter are integrated sampling, pilot-scale and field measurements and laboratory studies and analyses are needed to determine wastewater characteristics, including those kinetic and stoichiometric parameters that are used in models for simulation of the site-specific sewer processes. 

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