Maladaptive behaviors are linked with inefficient sleep in individuals with developmental disabilities

The purpose of the current study was to assess the relations between nightly sleep patterns and the frequency of daily maladaptive behavior. Antecedent and consequential relations between sleep patterns and behavior were evaluated with time series analysis. Sleep efficiency and maladaptive behavior were determined for 20 female residents of an institutional care facility for adults with developmental disabilities. Daily maladaptive behavioral data and nightly sleep/awake logs were collected for 4 months for each participant. Efficient sleep patterns were significantly associated with lower frequencies of maladaptive behaviors. All lagged cross-correlations 8 days before and 8 days after an evening of sleep were significant. These findings suggested that inefficient sleep was associated with increased maladaptive behaviors and that the lagged associations reflected a chronic but not an acute linkage between sleep and behavior

Optic disc classification by the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph and by physicians with varying experience of glaucoma

PurposeTo compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph's (HRT) Moorfields regression analysis (MRA) and glaucoma probability score (GPS) with that of subjective grading of optic disc photographs performed by ophthalmologists with varying experience of glaucoma and by ophthalmology residents.MethodsDigitized disc photographs and HRT images from 97 glaucoma patients with visual field defects and 138 healthy individuals were classified as either within normal limits (WNL), borderline (BL), or outside normal limits (ONL). Sensitivity and specificity were compared for MRA, GPS, and the physicians. Analyses were also made according to disc size and for advanced visual field loss.ResultsForty-five physicians participated. When BL results were regarded as normal, sensitivity was significantly higher (P<5%) for both MRA and GPS compared with the average physician, 87%, 79%, and 62%, respectively. Specificity ranged from 86% for MRA to 97% for general ophthalmologists, but the differences were not significant. In eyes with small discs, sensitivity was 75% for MRA, 60% for the average doctor, and 25% for GPS; in eyes with large discs, sensitivity was 100% for both GPS and MRA, but only 68% for physicians.ConclusionOur results suggest that sensitivity of MRA is superior to that of the average physician, but not that of glaucoma experts. MRA correctly classified all eyes with advanced glaucoma and showed the best sensitivity in eyes with small optic discs

Targeted disruption of the extracellular polymeric network of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms by alginate oligosaccharides

Acquisition of a mucoid phenotype by Pseudomonas sp. in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, with subsequent over-production of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), plays an important role in mediating the persistence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. The ability of a low molecular weight (Mn=3200 g mol-1) alginate oligomer (OligoG CF-5/20) to modify biofilm structure of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NH57388A) was studied in vitro using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with Texas Red (TxRd®)-labelled OligoG and EPS histochemical staining. Structural changes in treated biofilms were quantified using COMSTAT image-analysis software of CLSM z-stack images, and nanoparticle diffusion. Interactions between the oligomers, Ca2+ and DNA were studied using molecular dynamics simulations (MDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Imaging demonstrated that OligoG treatment (&#62;0.5%) inhibited biofilm formation, demonstrating a significant reduction in both biomass and biofilm height (17.8 vs. 5.5 µm; P &#60;0.05). TxRd®-labelled oligomers readily diffused into established (24 h) biofilms. OligoG treatment (≥2%) induced alterations in the EPS of established biofilms; significantly reducing the structural quantities of sugar residues, and extracellular (e)DNA (P &#60;0.05) with a corresponding increase in nanoparticle diffusion (P&#60;0.05) and antibiotic efficacy against established biofilms. ITC demonstrated an absence of rapid complex formation between DNA and OligoG and confirmed the interactions of OligoG with Ca2+ evident in FTIR and MDS. The ability of OligoG to diffuse into biofilms, potentiate antibiotic activity, disrupt DNA-Ca2+-DNA bridges and biofilm EPS matrix highlights its potential for the treatment of biofilm-related infections

S-D logic-informed customer engagement: Integrative framework, revised fundamental propositions, and application to CRM

Advance online in 2016</p

Device and Methodology for Micro-mechanical Characterization of Thru Silicon VIAs

Through Silicon VIA (TSV) interconnect technology is one potential approach to manufacture 3 dimensionally integrated memory packages with enhanced electrical and spatial efficiency. Since micro-mechanical properties of a complicated materials set, TSV and TSV interconnect, are widely understudied, it is difficult to predict their performance in an assembled package. Micro-scale compression, tensile, and shear test methodology is proposed to obtain the mechanical properties of a TSV. Mechanical testing probe tips have been designed and custom manufactured to test a range of TSV interconnect structures and to be compatible with the micro-mechanical test platform, DAGE 4000 Plus. The probe tips will be used to perform compression tests on TSVs to obtain the yield and failure point of the TSV interconnect. The determination of the mechanical properties of TSV interconnect structures will allow for the continual improvement of the reliability of the TSV interconnect as well as an increased understanding of the impact of the mechanical properties to the reliability of the interconnect

Is the Annual Confidential Report system effective? A study of the government appraisal system in Gujarat, India.

BACKGROUND Effective performance appraisal systems can not only motivate employees to improve performance but also be important for the performance of organizations. However, the appraisal systems in civil services called the Annual Confidential Report (ACR) systems can be ineffective and do not contribute to employees' learning and development. With this background, the current study aimed at understanding the ACR system and assessing its effectiveness. The research aims to contribute in filling the knowledge gap in the existing literature on the need as to why the ACR system in civil services is an important human resource management (HRM) function. METHODS The analysis is based on policy review to understand the extant appraisal-related rules and policies. Nineteen in-depth interviews with medical officers (MOs) working with the government health department of Gujarat, India, were conducted. The main objective of the research was to assess the effectiveness of the actual appraisal system called or referred to as the ACR as perceived by MOs. Thematic framework approach was used to analyze qualitative data using NVIVO 9. Themes were built around five features of an effective appraisal system, i.e., purpose, source, feedback quality, link of the ACR system with other human resource functions, and administrative effectiveness. RESULTS The five features of the effective appraisal system studied in the current research (purpose, source, feedback quality, link of ACR system with other HRM functions, and administrative effectiveness) indicate that the overall appraisal system is ineffective. The overall appraisal system was perceived to be subjective and one directional in character by the study respondents. Furthermore, respondents perceived the appraisal system to be a ritual and where MOs hardly got to know about their performance, especially good performance. Hence, the feedback loop, an important feature for an effective appraisal system, was absent. The overall ACR system functions in isolation with no link to other HRM functions such as training and counselling, and a weak link with salary administration and promotion. CONCLUSIONS Addressing the five features or domains of an effective appraisal system can lead to improved perceived fairness MOs have on the current appraisal system which may further influence the satisfaction and motivation positively. Improved motivation and satisfaction with the appraisal system can influence two important human resource for health-related outcomes, i.e., performance and retention