Training and Application of Correct Information Unit Analysis to Structured and Unstructured Discourse

Correct Information Units (CIU) analysis is one of the few measures of discourse that attempts to quantify discourse as a function of communicating information efficiently. Though this analysis is used reliably as a research tool, most studies\u27 apply CIUs to structured discourse tasks and do not specifically describe how raters are trained. If certified clinical speech-language pathologists can likewise reliably apply CIU analysis within clinical settings to unstructured discourse, such as the discourse of people with aphasia (PWA), it may allow clinicians to quantify the information communicated efficiently in clinical populations with discourse deficits. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if using the outlined training module, clinicians are able to score CIUs with similar inter-rater reliability across both structured and unstructured discourse samples as researchers. Method: Four certified SLPs will undergo a two-hour training session in CIU analysis similar to that of a university research staffs\u27 CIU training protocol. Each SLP will score CIUs in structured and unstructured language samples collected from individuals diagnosed with aphasia. The SLP\u27 scores within the structured and unstructured discourse samples will be compared to those of a university research lab staffs\u27. This will determine (1) whether SLPs can reliably code CIUs when compared with research raters in a lab setting when both using the same two-hour CIU training and resources allotted; (2) whether there is a significant difference in reliability when structured and unstructured discourse is analyzed

Packing While Traveling: Mixed Integer Programming for a Class of Nonlinear Knapsack Problems

Packing and vehicle routing problems play an important role in the area of supply chain management. In this paper, we introduce a non-linear knapsack problem that occurs when packing items along a fixed route and taking into account travel time. We investigate constrained and unconstrained versions of the problem and show that both are NP-hard. In order to solve the problems, we provide a pre-processing scheme as well as exact and approximate mixed integer programming (MIP) solutions. Our experimental results show the effectiveness of the MIP solutions and in particular point out that the approximate MIP approach often leads to near optimal results within far less computation time than the exact approach

Prognosis in Women with Interval Breast Cancer: Population Based Observational Cohort Study

Objective: To compare the prognosis in women with interval breast cancer (cancer detected after a normal screening mammogram and before the next scheduled mammogram) with breast cancer detected among women not yet invited to mammography screening (non-screened). Design: Population based observational study. Setting: Norwegian breast cancer screening programme, implemented in different counties from 1996 to 2005. Participants: 7116 women with a diagnosis of breast cancer at age 50 to 72 years; 1816 had interval breast cancer and 5300 had a diagnosis of breast cancer but had not yet been invited to screening. Main outcome measures: Characteristics of the breast tumours, and survival of the women using Kaplan Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Although interval cancers on average were slightly larger than the cancers in women not invited to screening, the histological type or status of axilliary lymph nodes did not differ noticeably between the two groups. Among interval cancers, there were no appreciable trends in size, nodal status, grade, or hormone receptor positivity associated with time since the last normal mammogram as a marker of growth rate. After 10 years of follow-up, the survival rates were 79.1% (95% confidence interval 75.4% to 82.3%) among women with interval cancers and 76.8% (75.3% to 78.2%) among women in the non-screened cancer group (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.84 to 1.15; P=0.53). Analyses stratified by time since last normal mammogram, age at diagnosis, or screening round showed similar results. Conclusion: The prognosis of women with interval breast cancers was the same as that of women with breast cancers diagnosed without mammography screening

SmartRegio – Employing Spatial Data to Provide Decision Support for SMEs and City Administrations

When decisions have to be made which are based on the characteristics and expected developments in specific spatial environments (such as finding the best place for a new production site or for a new shop), geo data and the information that can be derived from it plays a crucial role. While larger companies typically can afford the setup of the required organisational units as well as the access to relevant data from commercial providers, smaller organisations such as SMEs or city administrations are at a disadvantage. The aim of the SmartRegio project was to develop solutions for such organisations that combine freely available (mass) spatial data from many different sources as a decision-making basis focusing on governmental and private actors operating with a focus on a specific region. The data sources include data from infrastructures like energy and mobility, data from public entities, and also data from social media and media channels. The SmartRegio project successfully identified and tackled major technical and legal challenges when aiming to exploit such data, while at the same time realising a generic infrastructure that supports the required processes within the given context

Screening for colorectal cancer. Collaboration among politicians and scientists is necessary

Hægt er að lesa greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/OpenColorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the western world. It is especially common in the Nordic countries. In many of the European countries and in the United States colonoscopy is recommended as a screening procedure for CRC. However, there are no randomized studies of the effects of the method on incidence, mortality, possible complications or negative effects on the population. Public pressure to have screening for CRC with colonoscopy will probably increase heavily in the next years to come. We fear that colonoscopy will be introduced as a screening method without proper scientific support. Therefore we want to argue for a common Nordic randomized study on population screening with colonoscopy.Krabbamein í ristli og endaþarmi er eitt af algengustu krabbameinum í hinum vestræna heimi, og sérstaklega er það algengt á Norðurlöndum. Í mörgum Evrópulöndum og Bandaríkjunum er ristilspeglun ráðlögð sem skimunaraðferð fyrir þessu krabbameini. Það hafa samt ekki verið gerðar slembirannsóknir á áhrifum aðferðarinnar á nýgengi, dánartíðni, mögulega fylgikvilla eða neikvæð áhrif á almenning. Þrýstingur almennings á að fá skimun fyrir meininu með ristilspeglun mun líklega aukast mikið á næstu árum. Það er hætta á því að ristilspeglun sem skimunaraðferð verði innleidd án nægilegrar vísindalegrar undirstöðu. Þess vegna viljum við færa rök fyrir mikilvægi þess að gerð verði samnorræn slembirannsókn á skimun með ristilspeglun meðal almennings

The Realization of Redistribution Layers for FOWLP by Inkjet Printing

The implementation of additive manufacturing technology (e.g., digital printing) to the electronic packaging segment has recently received increasing attention. In almost all types of Fan-out wafer level packaging (FOWLP), redistribution layers (RDLs) are formed by a combination of photolithography, sputtering and plating process. Alternatively, in this study, inkjet-printed RDLs were introduced for FOWLP. In contrast to a subtractive method (e.g., photolithography), additive manufacturing techniques allow depositing the material only where it is desired. In the current study, RDL structures for different embedded modules were realized by inkjet printing and further characterized by electrical examinations. It was proposed that a digital printing process can be a more efficient and lower-cost solution especially for rapid prototyping of RDLs, since several production steps will be skipped, less material will be wasted and the supply chain will be shortened.EC/H2020/737487/EU/(Ultra)Sound Interfaces and Low Energy iNtegrated SEnsors/SILENS

Leadership training to improve adenoma detection rate in screening colonoscopy: A randomised trial

Objective Suboptimal adenoma detection rate (ADR) at colonoscopy is associated with increased risk of interval colorectal cancer. It is uncertain how ADR might be improved. We compared t

Colorectal cancer - Demand for a joint Nordic study on the value of colonoscopic screening

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldNo abstract availabl

Renewing the Christian Contemplative Dimension of Spirituality Through an Ancient Tradition Known Today as Centering Prayer

The purpose of this paper and documentary video is to present one particular aspect of the Christian contemplative tradition known today as centering prayer. The topic is addressed by a brief review of ancient contemplation and meditative life styles as practiced by some of the major religions of the world. The focus is then narrowed to view the topic from the Roman Catholic perspective. In the early Christian church (Roman Catholic) contemplation was the common goal of lay and religious life. \u27This approach fell into disuse around the time of the Reformation, but has undergone a renewal in the last generation for many different reasons. The documentary video achieves this by a combination of nature and religious footage combined with excerpts of interviews with people who practice the contemplative life. Instructions on the method of centering prayer is explained in the documentary

Appointments timed in proximity to annual milestones and compliance with screening: randomised controlled trial

Objective To investigate whether appointments for screening timed in proximity to annual milestones (birthdays, Christmas and New Year) may be used as a strategy to improve attendance for screening for colorectal cancer