Judging a book by its cover: interface elements that affect reader selection of ebooks

Digital library research has demonstrated the impact of content presentation on both search and reading behaviours. In this paper, we scrutinise the influence of ebook presentation on user behaviour, focussing on document thumbnails and the first page view. We demonstrate that flaws in presentation increase the volume of short time-span reading, and reduce the likelihood of long-span reading when compared to other documents. This reflects other patterns of information seeking behaviour that demonstrate increased short-term reading when information content is uncertain, and suggests an ineffective use of reader time on less useful content

Strategic communication during relationship dissolution: Disengagement resistance strategies.

Research in relationship disengagement has focused almost exclusively on strategies used by the initiator of the breakup to the neglect of studying communication strategies employed by partners undesirous of the breakup. Further, extant relational termination research centers on friendships and dating partners in romantic relationships. This study investigates communication strategies used by divorced individuals who did not wish their marriages to end (Non-Initiators). Participants were 270 divorced persons drawn from divorce recovery groups, divorce support groups, and network sampling. Buss's (1988) taxonomy of retention tactics is used to explore planned communication strategies of Non-Initiators during relational dissolution. These tactics are manifestations of overall strategies used by Non-Initiators to retain their spouse. Findings reveal four strategic communication Disengagement Resistance Strategies (DRS) used by Non-Initiators during the relationship disengagement process: Negativity, Alignment, Commitment, and Harm. In addition, relationship demographic variables including the participant's age at the time of marriage, participant's age at the time of divorce, and the presence of children in the former marriage predict use of the Negativity, Alignment, and Commitment strategies by Non-Initiators. Implications for the application of DRS to the study of relationship dissolution are discussed, and research directions identified

Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation: Using the CyberKnife as the Radiation Delivery Platform in the Treatment of Early Breast Cancer

We evaluate the CyberKnife (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for non-invasive delivery of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) in early breast cancer patients. Between 6/2009 and 5/2011, nine patients were treated with CyberKnife APBI. Normal tissue constraints were imposed as outlined in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project B-39/Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0413 (NSABP/RTOG) Protocol (Vicini and White, 2007). Patients received a total dose of 30 Gy in five fractions (group 1, n = 2) or 34 Gy in 10 fractions (group 2, n = 7) delivered to the planning treatment volume (PTV) defined as the clinical target volume (CTV) +2 mm. The CTV was defined as either the lumpectomy cavity plus 10 mm (n = 2) or 15 mm (n = 7). The cavity was defined by a T2-weighted non-contrast breast MRI fused to a planning non-contrast thoracic CT. The CyberKnife Synchrony system tracked gold fiducials sutured into the cavity wall during lumpectomy. Treatments started 4–5 weeks after lumpectomy. The mean PTV was 100 cm3 (range, 92–108 cm3) and 105 cm3 (range, 49–241 cm3) and the mean PTV isodose prescription line was 70% for groups 1 and 2, respectively. The mean percent of whole breast reference volume receiving 100 and 50% of the dose (V100 and V50) for group 1 was 11% (range, 8–13%) and 23% (range, 16–30%) and for group 2 was 11% (range, 7–14%) and 26% (range, 21–35.0%), respectively. At a median 7 months follow-up (range, 4–26 months), no acute toxicities were seen. Acute cosmetic outcomes were excellent or good in all patients; for those patients with more than 12 months follow-up the late cosmesis outcomes were excellent or good. In conclusion, the lack of observable acute side effects and current excellent/good cosmetic outcomes is promising. We believe this suggests the CyberKnife is a suitable non-invasive radiation platform for delivering APBI with achievable normal tissue constraints

NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition with MCC950 improves insulin sensitivity and inflammation in a mouse model of frontotemporal dementia

Acknowledgments: This study was supported by ARUK project grant PG2017B-11 and ARUK summer scholarship funding from the Scottish ARUK network. The authors would like to thank Prof. Gernot Riedel for his support of the in vivo experimentation.Peer reviewedPostprin

The impact of two modules on first year occupational therapy students’ knowledge and attitudes to the core constructs of occupation

Introduction: The first year occupational therapy course at the University of Cape Town focuses on developing an understanding of occupation. Two first semester modules form the foundation for this understanding. This study aimed to describe the impact of these modules on first year students’ knowledge of, and attitudes towards, the core constructs of occupation. Methodology: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was used with a convenience sample recruited from the 2013 first year occupational therapy class. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the study based on an extensive literature review and consultation with international occupational therapy experts. Data were gathered before and after participating in the modules. Content and construct validity, test-retest and inter-rater reliability were determined using the expert panel and a pilot test. Data were analysed with STATISTICA. Results: Forty-five (N=60) participants completed pre-test and post-test questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Knowledge improved significantly (p<0.001) between pre-test and post-test, and positive attitudinal changes were noted. Conclusion: Knowledge and attitudes improved after completing the modules suggesting that students were equipped with a sound foundational understanding of the core constructs of occupation

Distinctive temporal profiles of detergent-soluble and -insoluble tau and Aβ species in human Alzheimer’s disease

Acknowledgements We would like to deeply thank all donors and their families for the tissue provided for this study. Human tissue samples were supplied by the Brains for Dementia Research programme, jointly funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Medical Research Council, and sourced from the MRC London Neurodegenerative Diseases Brain Bank, the Manchester Brain Bank, the South West Dementia Brain Bank (SWDBB), the Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource and the Oxford Brain Bank. The Newcastle Brain Tissue Resource and Oxford Brain Bank are also supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Units. The South West Dementia Brain Bank (SWDBB) receives additional support from BRACE (Bristol Research into Alzheimer's and Care of the Elderly). Antibodies CP13 and PHF1 were generously provided by Prof Peter Davies. TOC1 antibodies were a gift from Nicholas Kanaan at Michigan State University (originally created by Lester Binder at Northwestern University). Funding The work presented here was funded by Alzheimer's Research UK (Grant refs: ARUK-PPG2014A-21, ARUK-NSG2015-1 and ARUK-NCG2017A-3 to BP and DK).Peer reviewedPostprin