Modelling children's Gear task strategy use with the Dynamic Overlapping Waves Model

The Dynamic Overlapping Waves Model (DOWM) can model strategy use in problem-solving tasks for strategies that can be construed as developmentally and hierarchically ordered (Boom, 2015). We observed children's (M age = 11 years, SD = 6 months) strategy use during a task in which they had to find the rotation direction of the last gear in a series of connected gear chains, given the rotation direction of the first gear. Using DOWM, we found that strategy use was ordered as expected, from unskilled sensorimotor strategies to abstract strategies, and from less to more efficient in terms of speed and accuracy. This order aligns with the idea that perceptual learning is central to the emergence of abstract conceptual knowledge. Moreover, the current study shows that the DOWM does not preclude forward and backward transitions and even occasional transitions that skip certain strategies in the ordering. The DOWM seems a promising tool to developmentally capture the breadth of behavioral repertoire children display when they adopt new strategies for various problem-solving tasks

Intra-cavity Photodynamic Therapy for malignant tumors of the paranasal sinuses: An in vivo light dosimetry study

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment option for recurrent sinonasal malignancies. However, light administration in this area is challenging given the complex geometry, varying tissue optical properties and difficult accessibility. The goal of this study was to estimate the temporal and spatial variation in fluence and fluence rate during sinonasal mTHPC-mediated PDT. It was investigated whether the predetermined aim to illuminate with a fluence of 20 J⋅cm− 2 and fluence rate of 100 mW⋅cm− 2 was achieved. Methods: In eleven patients the fluence and fluence rates were measured using in vivo light dosimetry at the target location during real-time sinonasal PDT. There was a variance in sinonasal target location and type of light diffuser used. In four patients two isotropic detectors were used within the same cavity. Results: All measurements showed major fluence rate fluctuations within each single isotropic detector probe over time, as well as between probes within the same cavity. The largest fluence rate range measured was 328 mW⋅cm− 2 . Only one probe showed a mean fluence rate of ~100 mW⋅cm− 2 . Taken all probes together, a fluence rate above 80 mW⋅cm− 2 was measured in 31 % of the total light exposure; in 22 % it was less than 20 mW⋅cm− 2 . Thirty-three percent showed a fluence of at least 20 J⋅cm− 2 . Conclusions: The current dosimetry approach for sinonasal intra-cavity PDT shows major temporal and spatial variations in fluence rate and a large variance in light exposure time. The results emphasize the need for improvement of in vivo light dosimetry and dosimetry planning

No Difference in Recovery of Patient-Reported Outcome and Range of Motion between Cruciate Retaining and Posterior Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty:A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Both from the perspective of the individual and from a socioeconomic point of view (e.g., return to work), it is important to have an insight into the potential differences in recovery between posterior cruciate ligament retaining (PCR) and posterior stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implants. The primary aim of this study was to compare the speed of recovery of patient-reported outcome between patients with a PCR and PS TKA during the first postoperative year. The secondary aim was to compare the effect on range of motion (ROM). In a randomized, double-blind, controlled, single-center trial, 120 adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized into either the PCR or PS group. Primary outcome was speed of recovery of patient-reported pain and function, measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), with a follow-up of 1year. Main secondary outcome measure was ROM. A generalized estimating equations (GEE) analysis was used to assess whether there was a difference over time between groups (" p -value for interaction"). Between 2008 and 2011, 59 participants received a PCR TKA (mean age, 70.3 years [SD=7.7]; mean body mass index [BMI], 30.5kg/m (2) [SD=5.4]) and 55 participants a PS TKA (mean age, 73.5 years [SD=7.0]; mean BMI, 29.2kg/m (2) [SD=4.4]). Six patients (two PCR and four PS) were excluded because of early drop-out, so 114 patients (95%) were available for analysis. In between group difference for total WOMAC score was -1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.6 to 3.1); p -value for interaction was 0.698. For ROM, in between group difference was 1.1 (95% CI: -2.6 to 4.7); p -value for interaction was 0.379. These results demonstrated that there are no differences in speed of recovery of WOMAC or ROM during the first postoperative year after PCR or PS TKA

The validity and precision of the leicester cough questionnaire in COPD patients with chronic cough

Background: A validated instrument to assess the effects of chronic cough on health status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently not available. The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) is a cough-specific health status questionnaire which is originally validated for a population of general patients presenting with chronic cough. We examined the psychometric performance of the LCQ in patients with COPD and chronic productive cough. Methods: Concurrent validity, internal consistency, reproducibility and responsiveness were determined. The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) were used as external criteria. Questionnaires were completed at the start of the study. After 2 and 12 weeks the LCQ was repeated, together with a global rating of change. Results: In total 54 patients were included. Concurrent validity analysis showed significant correlations between corresponding domains of the LCQ and the SGRQ (r(s) - 0.31 to - 0.60). Corresponding domains of the LCQ and the SF-36 showed weaker correlations (r(s) 0.04 to 0.41). Internal consistency was adequate for two of the three domains (Cronbach's alpha 0.74 - 0.86). Test-retest reliability in stable patients was high (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.79 - 0.93). The mean difference after two weeks was 0.73 (+/- 1.75). Responsiveness analysis indicated that the LCQ was able to detect changes after 12 weeks. Conclusion: The LCQ is a valid, reliable, responsive instrument to measure health status in COPD patients with chronic productive cough

Synchronized signaling delivery for broadband 60 GHz in-building optical wireless network based on digital frequency division multiplexing and digital Nyquist shaping

A simple and low-cost synchronized signaling delivery scheme has been proposed for a 60 GHz in-building optical wireless network with 12.7Gbps throughput based on digital frequency division multiplexing and digital Nyquist shaping

Change in Tetracene Polymorphism Facilitates Triplet Transfer in Singlet Fission-Sensitized Silicon Solar Cells

Singlet fission in tetracene generates two triplet excitons per absorbed photon. If these triplet excitons can be effectively transferred into silicon (Si) then additional photocurrent can be generated from photons above the bandgap of Si. This could alleviate the thermalization loss and increase the efficiency of conventional Si solar cells. Here we show that a change in the polymorphism of tetracene deposited on Si due to air exposure, facilitates triplet transfer from tetracene into Si. Magnetic field-dependent photocurrent measurements confirm that triplet excitons contribute to the photocurrent. The decay of tetracene delayed photoluminescence was used to determine a triplet transfer time of 215 ns and a maximum yield of triplet transfer into Si of ~50 %. Our study suggests that control over the morphology of tetracene during deposition will be of great importance to boost the triplet transfer yield further

Complex Odor from Plants under Attack: Herbivore's Enemies React to the Whole, Not Its Parts

Background: Insect herbivory induces plant odors that attract herbivores ’ natural enemies. Assuming this attraction emerges from individual compounds, genetic control over odor emission of crops may provide a rationale for manipulating the distribution of predators used for pest control. However, studies on odor perception in vertebrates and invertebrates suggest that olfactory information processing of mixtures results in odor percepts that are a synthetic whole and not a set of components that could function as recognizable individual attractants. Here, we ask if predators respond to herbivoreinduced attractants in odor mixtures or to odor mixture as a whole. Methodology/Principal Findings: We studied a system consisting of Lima bean, the herbivorous mite Tetranychus urticae and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. We found that four herbivore-induced bean volatiles are not attractive in pure form while a fifth, methyl salicylate (MeSA), is. Several reduced mixtures deficient in one component compared to the full spider-mite induced blend were not attractive despite the presence of MeSA indicating that the predators cannot detect this component in these odor mixtures. A mixture of all five HIPV is most attractive, when offered together with the noninduced odor of Lima bean. Odors that elicit no response in their pure form were essential components of the attractive mixture. Conclusions/Significance: We conclude that the predatory mites perceive odors as a synthetic whole and that th