Interaction between Faraday rotation and Cotton-Mouton effects in polarimetry modeling for NSTX

The evolution of electromagnetic wave polarization is modeled for propagation in the major radial direction in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) with retroreflection from the center stack of the vacuum vessel. This modeling illustrates that the Cotton-Mouton effect-elliptization due to the magnetic field perpendicular to the propagation direction-is shown to be strongly weighted to the high-field region of the plasma. An interaction between the Faraday rotation and Cotton-Mouton effects is also clearly identified. Elliptization occurs when the wave polarization direction is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the local transverse magnetic field. Since Faraday rotation modifies the polarization direction during propagation, it must also affect the resultant elliptization. The Cotton-Mouton effect also intrinsically results in rotation of the polarization direction, but this effect is less significant in the plasma conditions modeled. The interaction increases at longer wavelength, and complicates interpretation of polarimetry measurements.Comment: Contributed paper published as part of the Proceedings of the 18th Topical Conference on High-Temperature Plasma Diagnostics, Wildwood, New Jersey, May, 201

Rational Redundancy in Referring Expressions: Evidence from Event‐related Potentials

In referential communication, Grice's Maxim of Quantity is thought to imply that utterances conveying unnecessary information should incur comprehension difficulties. There is, however, considerable evidence that speakers frequently encode redundant information in their referring expressions, raising the question as to whether such overspecifications hinder listeners’ processing. Evidence from previous work is inconclusive, and mostly comes from offline studies. In this article, we present two event-related potential (ERP) experiments, investigating the real-time comprehension of referring expressions that contain redundant adjectives in complex visual contexts. Our findings provide support for both Gricean and bounded-rational accounts. We argue that these seemingly incompatible results can be reconciled if common ground is taken into account. We propose a bounded-rational account of overspecification, according to which even redundant words can be beneficial to comprehension to the extent that they facilitate the reduction of listeners’ uncertainty regarding the target referent

Teaching nurses chemotherapy administration in the adult population: a scenario-based simulation module

Background and Purpose: Administering chemotherapy is a post-entry level competency for Registered Nurses (RNs) in the province of Nova Scotia (NS); therefore, requiring specialized training. While the Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program (NSCCP) incorporates theoretical and clinical components in the systemic therapy education program, there is a gap in learning the associated psychomotor skills. The purpose of this practicum project was to develop a scenario-based simulation module on the administration of chemotherapy to adults, in order to bridge knowledge acquired through the online learning component to the clinical setting. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted to understand the effectiveness of simulation exercises and case studies as teaching methods for a chemotherapy learning module directed at RNs administering medications for adult oncology patients. An environmental scan assessed how other hospitals within Atlantic Canada certify nurses in the administration of systemic chemotherapy. Consultations were held with various health professionals to determine appropriate content for the scenario-based simulation module in NS. Results: A scenario-based simulation module was developed as a tool for educators. Conclusion: This module facilitates the opportunity for all RNs to practice the required systemic therapy skills in a safe, and non-threatening environment; augmenting nurses’ confidence in the administration of chemotherapy. Furthermore, this module enables RNs to have equivalent and relevant training through both theory and practice-based learning, in the province of NS. Future plans are to collaborate with the NSCCP leadership team, with the vision of integrating the module across the province of NS