MnemoCity Task: Assessment of Childrens Spatial Memory Using Stereoscopy and Virtual Environments

[EN] This paper presents the MnemoCity task, which is a 3D application that introduces the user into a totally 3D virtual environment to evaluate spatial short-term memory. A study has been carried out to validate the MnemoCity task for the assessment of spatial short-term memory in children, by comparing the children s performance in the developed task with current approaches. A total of 160 children participated in the study. The task incorporates two types of interaction: one based on standard interaction and another one based on natural interaction involving physical movement by the user. There were no statistically significant differences in the results of the task using the two types of interaction. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were not found in relation to gender. The correlations between scores were obtained using the MnemoCity task and a traditional procedure for assessing spatial short-term memory. Those results revealed that the type of interaction used did not affect the performance of children in the MnemoCity task.This work was funded mainly by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the CHILDMNEMOS project (TIN2012-37381-C02-01) and confinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Other financial support was received from the Gobierno de Aragon (Departamento de Industria e Innovacion), and Fondo Social Europeo for Aragon.Rodríguez-Andrés, D.; Juan, M.; Mendez Lopez, M.; Pérez Hernández, E.; Lluch Crespo, J. (2016). MnemoCity Task: Assessment of Childrens Spatial Memory Using Stereoscopy and Virtual Environments. PLoS ONE. 11(8):1-28. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161858S12811

NACA Technical Notes

Report presenting an investigation of various mechanical and physical properties of several expanded plastics and other low-density materials of interest for aircraft applications, such as heat insulation or the core of a sandwich material. The materials in the investigation included cellulose acetate plastic, polystyrene, a urea-formaldehyde resin, a zein product, hard rubber, balsa wood, and cellular glass

Learning LSI Means Doing LSI: Reflections on Technology Use in Two Language and Social Interaction Courses

This article reflects on the role of technology in teaching two LSI research methods courses with a focus on ethnography of communication and discourse analysis, respectively. Presented as case studies, we describe two LSI scholars’ experiences and explain our choices in using technology to teach these two undergraduate LSI courses. We describe how technology is used at four key points throughout the research process: capturing communicative practices, preserving them, documenting them through analysis and finally presenting the results. Throughout this process, we show how the use of technology facilitates both the teaching and learning experience. The use of technology enables students to see and to hear communication as situated and contextualized. Finally, we argue that the communication studies curriculum overall is enriched because students must confront their own preconceptions of the process of communication by comi ng to terms with naturally occurring interaction

An exploratory typology of provider responses that encourage and discourage conversation about complementary and integrative medicine during routine oncology visits

OBJECTIVE: To characterize how providers respond to patient mentions of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) during routine oncology visits. METHODS: Ethnographic methods were used over a two and a half year period with 82 advanced cancer patients and their providers across four oncology clinics. Participant observation fieldnotes were analyzed using Discourse Analysis. RESULTS: CIM was mentioned in 78/229 (34%) of the total observed visits. Patients initiated talk about CIM (76%) more than providers (24%). Patients mentioning CIM may indicate a preference for or interest in non-pharmacological adjunctive treatment options. Providers’ responses inhibited further talk in 44% of observations and promoted talk in 56% of observations. CONCLUSION: How providers respond may indicate their willingness to discuss a range of treatment options and to collaboratively engage in treatment decision-making. Provider responses that inhibited CIM conversation passed on the opportunity to discuss patient interests, and responses that promoted further conversation helped counsel patients about appropriate CIM use. Promoting discussion did not require additional time or extensive knowledge about CIM. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Providers can facilitate high quality communication without endorsing CIM to help patients make treatment decisions and to evaluate CIM appropriateness and safety in ways that are responsive to patient preferences and values. An exploratory typology of provider responses that encourage and discourage conversation about complementary and integrative medicine during routine oncology visit

Plasma concentrations of molecular lipid species in relation to coronary plaque characteristics and cardiovascular outcome: Results of the ATHEROREMO-IVUS study

Background and Aims: Previous lipidomics analyses have demonstrated that several lipid molecules in plasma are associated with fatal outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to investigate the associations of previously identified high risk lipid molecules in plasma with coronary plaque characteristics derived from intravascular ultrasound virtual histology (IVUS-VH) imaging, with coronary lipid core burden index (LCBI) on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and with one year cardiovascular outcome in patients with CAD. Methods: Between 2008 and 2011, IVUS-VH imaging of a non-culprit coronary artery was performed in 581 patients who underwent coronary angiography for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable CAD. NIRS imaging was additionally performed in 191 patients. Plasma concentrations of molecular lipids were measured with mass spectrometry. Results: Several cholesteryl ester, ceramide and lactosylceramide species and ceramide ratios were associated with vulnerable plaque characteristics on IVUS-VH and NIRS imaging and with 1-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE, defined as all-cause mortality, ACS and unplanned coronary revascularization). In particular, ceramide d18:1/16:0 was consistently associated with higher necrotic core fraction on IVUS-VH (p = 0.001), higher LCBI (p = 0.024) on NIRS and higher MACE rate (adjusted HR 1.79 per standard deviation increase in log-transformed lipid concentration, 95% CI 1.24-2.59, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Several molecular lipid species, and particularly ceramide(d18:1/16:0), are associated with the fraction of necrotic core tissue and lipid core burden in coronary atherosclerosis, and are predictive for 1-year clinical outcome after coronary angiography. These molecular lipids may improve risk stratification in CAD and may also be interesting therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved