Three Navigation Systems With Three Tasks: Using the Lane-Change Test (LCT) to Assess Distraction Demand

The Lane Change Test (ISO, 2008; Mattes, 2003) was used to assess distraction demand when drivers completed three typical navigation tasks (an easy navigation task, a point of interest task and a difficult navigation task) using three different navigation systems. In order for the LCT to be a useful procedure, it must distinguish good from poor navigation systems and acceptable from unacceptable tasks performed using those systems. The results provide some general support for the LCT as a sensitive measure of distraction. Some aspects of the results, however, called into question the adequacy of the LCT as a sufficient measure of distraction. In particular, the LCT was found to be insensitive to task demands arising from excessive task duration. Since risk exposure is a function of secondary task duration (as well as other factors such as intensity, frequency and timing), it is recommended that a measure of task duration be incorporated in the LCT procedure. When the MDEV was modified to incorporate task duration, the resulting measure (mean deviation per average task) reflected more adequately the interaction demands of the various navigation tasks

Some inequalities on generalized entropies

We give several inequalities on generalized entropies involving Tsallis entropies, using some inequalities obtained by improvements of Young's inequality. We also give a generalized Han's inequality.Comment: 15 page

Stress-induced traps in multilayered structures

The trap parameters of defects in Si/CaF 2 multilayered structures were determined from the analysis of optical charging spectroscopy measurements. Two kinds of maxima were observed. Some of them were rather broad, corresponding to "normal" traps, while the others, very sharp, were attributed to stress-induced traps. A procedure of optimal linear smoothing the noisy experimental data has been developed and applied. This procedure is based on finding the minimal value of the relative error with respect to the value of the smoothing window. In order to obtain a better accuracy for the description of the trapping-detrapping process, a Gaussian temperature dependence of the capture cross-sections characterizing the stress-induced traps was introduced. Both the normal and the stress-induced traps have been characterized, including some previously considered as only noise features. ©2011 American Institute of Physics

Effectiveness of sacubitril–valsartan in cancer patients with heart failure

Aims Current guidelines recommend sacubitril/valsartan for patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but there is lack of evidence of its efficacy and safety in cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Our aim was to analyse the potential benefit of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with CTRCD. Methods and results We performed a retrospective multicentre registry (HF-COH) in six Spanish hospitals with cardiooncology clinics including all patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan. Demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory and echocardiographic data were collected. Median follow-up was 4.6 [1; 11] months. Sixty-seven patients were included (median age was 63 ± 14 years; 64% were female, 87% had at least one cardiovascular risk factor). Median time from anti-cancer therapy to CTRD was 41 [10; 141] months. Breast cancer (45%) and lymphoma (39%) were the most frequent neoplasm, 31% had metastatic disease, and all patients were treated with combination antitumor therapy (70% with anthracyclines). Thirtynine per cent of patients had received thoracic radiotherapy. Baseline median LVEF was 33 [27; 37], and 21% had atrial fibrillation. Eighty-five per cent were on beta-blocker therapy and 76% on mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; 90% of the patients were symptomatic NYHA functional class ≥II. Maximal sacubitril/valsartan titration dose was achieved in 8% of patients (50 mg b.i.d.: 60%; 100 mg b.i.d.: 32%). Sacubitril/valsartan was discontinued in four patients (6%). Baseline Nterminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (1552 pg/mL [692; 3624] vs. 776 [339; 1458]), functional class (2.2 ± 0.6 vs. 1.6 ± 0.6), and LVEF (33% [27; 37] vs. 42 [35; 50]) improved at the end of follow-up (all P values ≤0.01). No significant statistical differences were found in creatinine (0.9 mg/dL [0.7; 1.1] vs. 0.9 [0.7; 1.1]; P = 0.055) or potassium serum levels (4.5 mg/dL [4.1; 4.8] vs. 4.5 [4.2; 4.8]; P = 0.5). Clinical, echocardiographic, and biochemical improvements were found regardless of the achieved sacubitril–valsartan dose (low or medium/high doses). Conclusions Our experience suggests that sacubitril/valsartan is well tolerated and improves echocardiographic functional and structural parameters, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, and symptomatic status in patients with CTRCD.This study was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain, and the EU—European Regional Development Fund, by means of a competitive call for excellence in research projects (PIE14/00066) as well as by the Spanish Cardiovascular Network (CIBERCV)

Stress-induced traps in multilayered structures

The trap parameters of defects in Si/CaF 2 multilayered structures were determined from the analysis of optical charging spectroscopy measurements. Two kinds of maxima were observed. Some of them were rather broad, corresponding to "normal" traps, while the others, very sharp, were attributed to stress-induced traps. A procedure of optimal linear smoothing the noisy experimental data has been developed and applied. This procedure is based on finding the minimal value of the relative error with respect to the value of the smoothing window. In order to obtain a better accuracy for the description of the trapping-detrapping process, a Gaussian temperature dependence of the capture cross-sections characterizing the stress-induced traps was introduced. Both the normal and the stress-induced traps have been characterized, including some previously considered as only noise features. ©2011 American Institute of Physics