Validation of the English and Chinese versions of the Quick-FLIC quality of life questionnaire.

A useful measure of quality of life should be easy and quick to complete. Recently, we reported the development and validation of a shortened Chinese version of the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which we called the Quick-FLIC. In the present study of 327 English-speaking and 221 Chinese-speaking cancer patients, we validated the English version of the Quick-FLIC and further assessed the Chinese version. The 11 Quick-FLIC items were administered alongside the 11 remaining items of the full FLIC, but there appeared to be little context effect. Validity of the English version of the Quick-FLIC was attested by its strong correlation with two other measures of quality of life, and its ability to detect differences between patients with different performance status and treatment status (each P<0.001). Its internal consistency (alpha=0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation=0.76) were also satisfactory. The measure was responsive to changes in performance status (P<0.001). The Chinese version showed similar characteristics. The Quick-FLIC behaved in ways that are highly comparable with the FLIC, even though the Quick-FLIC comprised only 11 items whereas the FLIC comprised 22. Further research is required to see whether the use of shorter instruments can improve data quality and response rates, but the fact that shorter instruments place less burden on the patients is itself inherently important

Are Asians comfortable with discussing death in health valuation studies? A study in multi-ethnic Singapore

BACKGROUND To characterize ease in discussing death (EID) and its influence on health valuation in a multi-ethnic Asian population and to determine the acceptability of various descriptors of death and "pits"/"all-worst" in health valuation. METHODS In-depth interviews (English or mother-tongue) among adult Chinese, Malay and Indian Singaporeans selected to represent both genders and a wide range of ages/educational levels. Subjects rated using 0–10 visual analogue scales (VAS): (1) EID, (2) acceptability of 8 descriptors for death, and (3) appropriateness of "pits" and "all-worst" as descriptors for the worst possible health state. Subjects also valued 3 health states using VAS followed by time trade-off (TTO). The influence of sociocultural variables on EID and these descriptors was studied using univariable analyses and multiple linear regression (MLR). The influence of EID on VAS/TTO utilities with adjustment for sociocultural variables was assessed using MLR. RESULTS Subjects (n = 63, 35% Chinese, 32% Malay, median age 44 years) were generally comfortable with discussing death (median EID: 8.0). Only education significantly influenced EID (p = 0.045). EID correlated weakly with VAS/TTO scores (range: VAS: -0.23 to 0.07; TTO: -0.14 to 0.11). All subjects felt "passed away", "departed" and "deceased" were most acceptable (median acceptability: 8.0) while "sudden death" and "immediate death" were least acceptable (median acceptability: 5.0). Subjects clearly preferred "all-worst" to "pits" (63% vs. 19%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Singaporeans were generally comfortable with discussing death and had clear preferences for several descriptors of death and for "all-worst". EID is unlikely to influence health preference measurement in health valuation studies

One-dimensional collision carts computer model and its design ideas for productive experiential learning

We develop an Easy Java Simulation (EJS) model for students to experience the physics of idealized one-dimensional collision carts. The physics model is described and simulated by both continuous dynamics and discrete transition during collision. In the field of designing computer simulations, we discuss briefly three pedagogical considerations such as 1) consistent simulation world view with pen paper representation, 2) data table, scientific graphs and symbolic mathematical representations for ease of data collection and multiple representational visualizations and 3) game for simple concept testing that can further support learning. We also suggest using physical world setup to be augmented complimentary with simulation while highlighting three advantages of real collision carts equipment like tacit 3D experience, random errors in measurement and conceptual significance of conservation of momentum applied to just before and after collision. General feedback from the students has been relatively positive, and we hope teachers will find the simulation useful in their own classes. 2015 Resources added: http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/02-dynamics/46-one-dimension-collision-js-model http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/02-dynamics/195-elastic-collisionComment: 6 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, 1 L. K. Wee, Physics Education 47 (3), 301 (2012); ISSN 0031-912

Two opposing hippocampus to prefrontal cortex pathways for the control of approach and avoidance behaviour

The decision to either approach or avoid a potentially threatening environment is thought to rely upon the coordinated activity of heterogeneous neural populations in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, how this circuitry is organized to flexibly promote both approach or avoidance at different times has remained elusive. Here, we show that the hippocampal projection to PFC is composed of two parallel circuits located in the superficial or deep pyramidal layers of the CA1/subiculum border. These circuits have unique upstream and downstream connectivity, and are differentially active during approach and avoidance behaviour. The superficial population is preferentially connected to widespread PFC inhibitory interneurons, and its activation promotes exploration; while the deep circuit is connected to PFC pyramidal neurons and fast spiking interneurons, and its activation promotes avoidance. Together this provides a mechanism for regulation of behaviour during approach avoidance conflict: through two specialized, parallel circuits that allow bidirectional hippocampal control of PFC

Predictable arguments of knowledge

We initiate a formal investigation on the power of predictability for argument of knowledge systems for NP. Specifically, we consider private-coin argument systems where the answer of the prover can be predicted, given the private randomness of the verifier; we call such protocols Predictable Arguments of Knowledge (PAoK). Our study encompasses a full characterization of PAoK, showing that such arguments can be made extremely laconic, with the prover sending a single bit, and assumed to have only one round (i.e., two messages) of communication without loss of generality. We additionally explore PAoK satisfying additional properties (including zero-knowledge and the possibility of re-using the same challenge across multiple executions with the prover), present several constructions of PAoK relying on different cryptographic tools, and discuss applications to cryptography

Photovoltaic power system simulation for small industry area

In this paper, modeling and simulation of 1MW grid connected PV system is simulated using National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) HOMER software, and the optimum system is analyzed to see the economic feasibility of the system in a small industry area in Malacca, Malaysia. The system is expected to foresee reduced grid energy consumption. Emphasis is also placed on reduction of green house gases emission. HOMER will simulate the system and perform optimization of system according to the available usage data and the available renewable energy (sun radiation) data. The lifecycle and cost of each system modules will also affect the optimization duly. In addition, HOMER also performs optimizations according to different assumption of uncertain factors to gauge the effect of sensitivity list

Enhanced self-field critical current density of nano-composite YBa(2)Cu(3)O(7) thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition

This is the author's accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ EPLA, 2008.Enhanced self-field critical current density Jc of novel, high-temperature superconducting thin films is reported. Layers are deposited on (001) MgO substrates by laser ablation of YBa2Cu3O7−δ(Y-123) ceramics containing Y2Ba4CuMOx (M-2411, M=Ag, Nb, Ru, Zr) nano-particles. The Jc of films depends on the secondary-phase content of the ceramic targets, which was varied between 0 and 15 mol%. Composite layers (2 mol% of Ag-2411 and Nb-2411) exhibit Jc values at 77 K of up to 5.1 MA/cm2, which is 3 to 4 times higher than those observed in films deposited from phase pure Y-123 ceramics. Nb-2411 grows epitaxially in the composite layers and the estimated crystallite size is ~10 nm.The Austrian Science Fund, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour, the European Science Foundation and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan

Two-State Spectral-Free Solutions of Frenkel-Moore Simplex Equation

Whilst many solutions have been found for the Quantum Yang-Baxter Equation (QYBE), there are fewer known solutions available for its higher dimensional generalizations: Zamolodchikov's tetrahedron equation (ZTE) and Frenkel and Moore's simplex equation (FME). In this paper, we present families of solutions to FME which may help us to understand more about higher dimensional generalization of QYBE.Comment: LaTeX file. Require macros: cite.sty and subeqnarray.sty to process. To appear in J. Phys. A: Math. and Ge