Beyond statistical testing: individual differences and the contentand accuracy of mental representations of space

The article uses data from two experiments on the content and accuracy of mentalrepresentations of space by the blind and visually impaired in order expose some of theshortcomings of typical statistical testing and propose an individual differences approach to theanalysis of data. It begins with a discussion of some of the problems associated with the strictclassification and eventual comparison of individuals between groups. The individual differencesapproach is then presented and the concepts of ability and present competence are explored alongwith the importance of detailed participant description. Examples from the two experiments areused to demonstrate how null hypothesis significance testing can be complemented with effect sizeestimates, box-plots and ranking techniques. Throughout the article we are reminded of the need toadopt mutually supportive techniques to account for the heterogeneity of experience and skillsbetween participants. The article uses data from two experiments on the content and accuracy of mentalrepresentations of space by the blind and visually impaired in order expose some of theshortcomings of typical statistical testing and propose an individual differences approach to theanalysis of data. It begins with a discussion of some of the problems associated with the strictclassification and eventual comparison of individuals between groups. The individual differencesapproach is then presented and the concepts of ability and present competence are explored alongwith the importance of detailed participant description. Examples from the two experiments areused to demonstrate how null hypothesis significance testing can be complemented with effect sizeestimates, box-plots and ranking techniques. Throughout the article we are reminded of the need toadopt mutually supportive techniques to account for the heterogeneity of experience and skillsbetween participants

Spatial representation and low vision: two studies on the content, accuracy and utility of mental representations

The paper reports on two studies being conducted with students from Dorton College - Royal London Society for the Blind (RLSB) in Kent. The first experiment will examine the content and accuracy of mental representations of a well-known environment. Students will walk a route around the college campus and learn the position of ten buildings or structures. They will then be asked to make heading judgments, estimate distances, complete a spatial cued model and sequentially visit a series of locations. The second experiment will examine the strategies and coding heuristics used to explore a complex novel environment. Students will be asked to explore a maze and learn the location of different places. Their search patterns will be digitally tracked, coded and analyzed using GIS software.Students will be tested using the same methods as in the first experiment and their performance level will be correlated with their exploratory patterns. Throughout the paper we are reminded that construct validity can only be secured by employing multiple converging techniques in the collection and analysis of cognitive data. Methods should be designed to test content and accuracy as well as the utility of mental representations

Psychosocial implications ofblindness and low-vision

This article discusses several aspects of psychosocial adjustment to blindness andlow-vision and proposes that the education of both the self and society are essential forpositive adjustment. It exposes some of the general misunderstandings about visualimpairment and demonstrates how these are partly responsible for the perpetuation of mythsand misconceptions regarding the character and abilities of this population. It argues thatconfidence and self-esteem are deeply connected to ability and should be regarded asconstructive elements of the ego usually manifested in different types of introverted orextroverted behaviour. Wherever possible arguments will be backed by current and pastresearch in social and abnormal psychology as well as specific case studies recorded by theauthor during the years he spent conducting research and working as a life-skills tutor at theRoyal London Society for the Blind

Computation of pressures on under-water-bodies

An existing code in the division is utilized to obtain pressures on under-water-bodies supplied by the User agency (Naval Science and Technology, Vishakapatnam - 6

An empirical biometric-based study for user identification from different roles in the online game League of Legends

© 2017 CEUR-WS. All rights reserved. The popularity of computer games has grown exponentially in the last few years. In some games, players can choose to play with different characters from a pre-defined list, exercising distinct roles in each match. Although such games were created to promote competition and promote self-improvement, there are several recurrent issues. One that has received the least amount of attention is the problem of "account sharing" so far is when a player pays more experienced players to progressing in the game. The companies running those games tend to punish this behaviour, but this specific case is hard to identify. The aim of this study is to use a database of mouse and keystroke dynamics biometric data of League of Legends players as a case study to understand the specific characteristics a player will keep (or not) when playing different roles and distinct characters

Integrity Assessment of LCA Drop Tank under Internal Cyclic Pressure

A facility and expertise has been developed at NAL to conduct automated internal pressure cycling tests. The hardware and instrumentation includes capturing of pressure on the data logger along with strain gage data. Digital data can be recorded continuously during entire pressure cycle, thus enabling to provide comparative view of reduction in stiffness, if any,in terms of graphs. The Maximum Pressure up To Which the Central Shells Could Be Tested Was 188 .5psi. A Maximum Strain Of 5166 Micro Strains, At A Pressure Of 188 .5psi, Was Found Near The GFRP Bulkhead In The Circumferential Direction. The Integrity Of The Bulkhead Joint Appears Satisfactory. The Nose-Cone, Tested For Internal Pressure Cycling Between 3 And L Lpsi Did Not Show Any Leaks Anywhere On The Surface Or From The Filler Cap . However, After 1104 Pressure Cycles,The End Flange Failed With A Loud Pop.On Inspection, It Was Found That The Failure Is Due To Improper Adhesion Between The GFRP Base Material And The Aluminum Ring Holding The End-Flange. Subsequently, This Ring Was Joined To The GFRP Shell By Bolts And The Pressure Cycling Was Continued For A Further 5000 Cycles,As Required, Without Any Failure/Leaks Anywhere On The Nose Cone. The Nose Cone Was Then Subjected To A Steadily Increasing Pressure To Verify The Residual Strength.At About 60psi, Leaks Were Observed Around The Filler Cap And The Pressure Was Continued Up To 85psi . At This Pressure, The Filler Cap Seal Gave-Up And A Profuse Leak Sprouted Around The Cap This Was Verified Again By Replacing The Filler Cap With A New One That Also Failed Completely At About 85psi Pressure. Presently,It May Be Concluded That The Lca s Gfrp Drop Tank Internal Bulkheads Of Central Shell Can Withstand A Pressure Of 185psi And The Weak Link,In The DT Assembly, Is The Filler Cap Seal That Can Stand A Pressure Of Only 60psi

Massive Splenic Pseudocysts : Report of 2 cases

Splenic cysts can be classified as parasitic and nonparasitic. Non parasitic cysts can be further divided into true and pseudocysts. Pseudocysts of spleen does not contain an epithelial lining. Pseudocysts of spleen are usually post traumatic and they rarely grow to a large size and most of them are asymptomatic. It can be confused with cystic lesions of spleen or pancreas or from the surrounding structures. These cases require exploration and is both diagnostic and therapeutic. Conservative measures to preserve spleen can be considered only in presence of expertise and if remnant functional splenic parenchyma is more than 25 %. Here we present two cases of giant pseudocysts who were confused with malignancy and referred to our centre and were later found to be pseudocysts of spleen. We would like to report these cases as they are rare and as diagnostic dilemmas

Successful Intra-peritoneal Antibiotic Therapy for Primary Abdominal Nocardiosis in an Immunocompetent Young Female Masquerading as Carcinoma Ovary

Nocardiosis is a common opportunistic infection in the immunocompromised and in patients with chronic debilitating diseases,e.g continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Primary abdominal nocardiosis is rare and is indeed a very rare infection in immunocompetent persons. Only two cases have been reported in immunocompetent patients so far and this may be third case to the best of our knowledge and first in India. About 11 cases have been reported in CAPD patients and AIDS patients.We report a case of Nocardiosis in an immunocompetent young female who presented with an abdomino-pelvic mass masquerading as carcinoma ovary.After initial resistance to various antibiotics, she responded to intraperitoneal and oral linezolid and oral ciprofloxacin

Teaching statistics to medical students using problem-based learning: the Australian experience

Background: Problem-based learning (PBL) is gaining popularity as a teaching method in UK medical schools, but statistics and research methods are not being included in this teaching. There are great disadvantages in omitting statistics and research methods from the main teaching. PBL is well established in Australian medical schools. The Australian experience in teaching statistics and research methods in curricula based on problem-based learning may provide guidance for other countries, such as the UK, where this method is being introduced. Methods: All Australian medical schools using PBL were visited, with two exceptions. Teachers of statistics and medical education specialists were interviewed. For schools which were not visited, information was obtained by email. Results: No Australian medical school taught statistics and research methods in a totally integrated way, as part of general PBL teaching. In some schools, statistical material was integrated but taught separately, using different tutors. In one school, PBL was used only for 'public health' related subjects. In some, a parallel course using more traditional techniques was given alongside the PBL teaching of other material. This model was less successful than the others. Conclusions: There are several difficulties in implementing an integrated approach. However, not integrating is detrimental to statistics and research methods teaching, which is of particular concern in the age of evidence-based medicine. Some possible ways forward are suggested