Software Engineering meets Problem-based Learning

A problem-driven approach for teaching software engineering to undergraduate students is entering its third year at the Department of Computer Science at NUI, Maynooth

"Core on deck!": The End of SODV and the Return of the JOIDES Resolution as the IODP Riserless Vessel

In February 2009, after a 3-year operational hiatus in order to undergo a major retrofit, the JOIDES Resolution (or simply the JR, as it has been called since 1985) reverberated with the trademark phrase, “Core on deck!”. For the crew and technical staff aboard during the JR’s sea trials cruise in January–February 2009, it brought shouts of joy and tears of relief from years of rebuilding the JR in a Singapore shipyard, and a realization that we were “really” going back to carrying out international expeditions. But what does the phrase mean to marine geoscientists around the world?For most scientists, it means that one of the only tools to explore sediments and rocks in the deep sub-seafloor throughout the world’s oceans is finally available again. This unique research facility is our community’s equivalent to the Hubble telescope and provides the access we need to the deep ocean. Accumulating an impressive array of accomplishments, the JR (Fig. 1) has served as the sole scientificdrilling vessel for the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP, 1985–2003) and for the initial phase of riserless drilling for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP, 2003–2006). Over 120 expeditions since 1985 have retrieved samples encompassing a latitudinal range from 80.5°N to 70.8°S, a water depth range from 85 m to nearly 6000 m, sub-bottomdepths as deep as 2.1 km, and a total depth range (water depth plus penetration) over 6.9 km

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy versus surgical tracheostomy in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Tracheostomy is one of the more commonly performed procedures in critically ill patients yet the optimal method of performing tracheostomies in this population remains to be established. The aim of this study was to systematically review and quantitatively synthesize all randomized clinical trials (RCTs), comparing elective percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and surgical tracheostomy (ST) in adult critically ill patients with regards to major short and long term outcomes. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register databases were searched to identify relevant studies. Additionally, bibliographies and selected conference proceedings were reviewed, and experts in the field and manufacturers of two PDT kits were contacted. Randomized clinical trials comparing any method of elective PDT to ST that included critically ill adults and reported at least one clinically relevant outcome were included. Data extracted included trial characteristics, measures of study validity, and clinically relevant outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs involving 1,212 patients were included. Most PDTs used a multiple dilator technique and were performed in the intensive care unit (ICU). The pooled odds ratio (OR) for wound infection was 0.28 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.16 to 0.49, p < 0.0005), indicating a significant reduction with PDT compared to ST. Overall, PDT was equivalent to ST for bleeding, major peri-procedural and long-term complications; however, subgroup analysis suggested PDT resulted in a lower incidence of bleeding (OR = 0.29 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.75, p = 0.01)) and death (OR = 0.71 (95% CI 0.50 to 1.0, p = 0.05)) when the STs were performed in the operating theatre. CONCLUSION: PDT reduces the overall incidence of wound infection and may further reduce clinical relevant bleeding and mortality when compared with ST performed in the operating theatre. PDT, performed in the ICU, should be considered the procedure of choice for performing elective tracheostomies in critically ill adult patients

Adapting and Using U.S. Measures to Study Irish Teachers' Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching.

Around the world, in many countries, teacher educators, researchers and policymakers are interested in the mathematical knowledge needed to teach effectively. This dissertation used a nationally representative sample to investigate Irish primary teachers’ knowledge of mathematics using an instrument based on the construct of mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT). Because MKT was based on studies of teaching practice in the United States, the study included an examination of the equivalence of the construct and the validity of the instrument for use in Ireland. To establish the usability of the instrument, 501 teachers from a representative sample of Irish schools completed a teacher knowledge survey; ten additional teachers who completed the survey were videotaped teaching four lessons each. Ten Irish lessons were analyzed to examine construct equivalence between the mathematical demands of teaching in this sample of Irish practice and the mathematical demands of the teaching studied by U.S. researchers to develop the construct of MKT. Multiple-group factor analysis complemented the lesson analysis. Validity was examined by coding forty Irish lessons for the mathematical quality of the instruction; these codes were correlated with teachers’ MKT scores. Factor analyses of teachers’ responses, and comparison of tasks identified in Irish lessons with tasks that formed the basis of MKT, suggested that the constructs were sufficiently similar to use the measures in Ireland. Results showed that Irish teachers’ scores on MKT measures were moderately correlated with the mathematical quality of their instruction, suggesting that items were measuring knowledge used in instruction. Although MKT varied among teachers, performance on algebra items was strong and teachers were skillful at identifying and classifying student errors. Teachers demonstrated good knowledge of fractional representations. Applying properties and definitions of shapes, numbers and operations, and attending to student explanations and evaluating student understanding were more difficult. This study suggests that measures based on the construct of MKT as conceptualized in the United States are valid for use in at least one setting outside the United States. Methods of establishing conceptual equivalence are identified; future research should refine further cross-cultural measurement of teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching.Ph.D.EducationUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60756/1/sdelaney_1.pd

Clinical practices and attitudes regarding the diagnosis and management of heart failure: findings from the CORE Needs Assessment Survey

Epidemiological studies on heart failure (HF) using large health care databases are becoming increasingly frequent, as they represent an invaluable opportunity to characterize the importance and risk factors of HF from a population perspective. Nevertheless, because of its complex diagnosis and natural history, the heterogeneous use of the relevant terminology in routine clinical practice, and the limitations of some disease coding systems, HF can be a challenging condition to assess using large health care databases as the main source of information. In this narrative review, we discuss some of the challenges that researchers may face, with a special focus on the identification and validation of chronic HF cases and acute HF decompensations. For each of these challenges, we present some potential solutions inspired by the literature and/or based on our research experience, aimed at increasing the internal validity of research and at informing its interpretation. We also discuss future directions on the field, presenting constructive recommendations aimed at facilitating the conduct of valid epidemiological studies on HF in the coming years

Energy Efficient Engine Low Pressure Subsystem Aerodynamic Analysis

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the capability to analyze the aerodynamic performance of the complete low pressure subsystem (LPS) of the Energy Efficient Engine (EEE). Detailed analyses were performed using three- dimensional Navier-Stokes numerical models employing advanced clustered processor computing platforms. The analysis evaluates the impact of steady aerodynamic interaction effects between the components of the LPS at design and off- design operating conditions. Mechanical coupling is provided by adjusting the rotational speed of common shaft-mounted components until a power balance is achieved. The Navier-Stokes modeling of the complete low pressure subsystem provides critical knowledge of component acro/mechanical interactions that previously were unknown to the designer until after hardware testing

Very old patients admitted to intensive care in Australia and New Zealand: a multi-centre cohort analysis

INTRODUCTION: Older age is associated with higher prevalence of chronic illness and functional impairment, contributing to an increased rate of hospitalization and admission to intensive care. The primary objective was to evaluate the rate, characteristics and outcomes of very old (age >or= 80 years) patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the Australian New Zealand Intensive Care Society Adult Patient Database. Data were obtained for 120,123 adult admissions for >or= 24 hours across 57 ICUs from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2005. RESULTS: A total of 15,640 very old patients (13.0%) were admitted during the study. These patients were more likely to be from a chronic care facility, had greater co-morbid illness, greater illness severity, and were less likely to receive mechanical ventilation. Crude ICU and hospital mortalities were higher (ICU: 12% vs. 8.2%, P /= 80 years was associated with higher ICU and hospital death compared with younger age strata (ICU: odds ratio (OR) = 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.4 to 3.0; hospital: OR = 5.4, 95% CI = 4.9 to 5.9). Factors associated with lower survival included admission from a chronic care facility, co-morbid illness, nonsurgical admission, greater illness severity, mechanical ventilation, and longer stay in the ICU. Those aged >or= 80 years were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation/long-term care (12.3% vs. 4.9%, OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 2.6 to 2.9). The admission rates of very old patients increased by 5.6% per year. This potentially translates to a 72.4% increase in demand for ICU bed-days by 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients aged >or= 80 years admitted to intensive care in Australia and New Zealand is rapidly increasing. Although these patients have more co-morbid illness, are less likely to be discharged home, and have a greater mortality than younger patients, approximately 80% survive to hospital discharge. These data also imply a potential major increase in demand for ICU bed-days for very old patients within a decade

The Grizzly, December 1, 2022

1000th Edition: A Brief Look at Past Eras of The Grizzly • How Important Are Our Archives? • Comments From Grizzly Alumni • Long-Running Professors • Grizzlies of Years Past • Opinions: Silly but Necessary - The Ranking of Stalls in the Myrin Women\u27s Bathroom • Check Out This Sports Column From the 90s Grizzly! • Congrats to the Football Team on Winning Their Game in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Conference Series! • The Mascot Evolutionhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/2002/thumbnail.jp