Performance and effectiveness of strategy use on the Rey auditory verbal learning test after traumatic brain injury and in a control population : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in psychology at Massey University

Clinical assessment of memory is important for the diagnostic understanding, management and rehabilitation of individuals with significant brain dysfunction. The present study investigated ways in which disorganised thinking or impaired information processing contribute to memory problems in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Memory performance on the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test was assessed for 141 TBI patients and 59 controls and the relative effectiveness of different strategies was evaluated. Results showed a significant main effect between group scores with controls demonstrating progressively superior performance across trials. The range of learning strategies observed across both groups were condensed into three sub-categories. Subjects who employed no strategies at all performed less well than those who used passive strategies, who in turn performed less well than subjects who adopted active strategies. This latter group obtained the highest memory scores in their respective TBI or control groups. However, a temporal effect was evident in that unlike controls who maintained their best performance from initial trials to delayed recall, TBI subjects showed a marked decline in long term memory recall. Taken together, these findings suggest that the ability to initiate, maintain and transfer learning strategies depends on intact meta-cognitive processes such as executive functioning and metamemory, whereby the individual actively employs effective learning strategies. This is an effortful and elaborative process that demands vigilance and planning. When such functions are compromised, as commonly occurs in TBI patients, subsequent learning abilities may be progressively constrained. Where some residual learning ability is indicated, retraining programmes should focus on the development of self-monitoring and other metacognitive skills before instruction in mnemonic techniques

Changes in Orthodontic Treatment Modalities in the Past 20 Years: Exploring the Link between Technology and Scientific Evidence

Statement of the issue: Is there a link between the many perceived advances in orthodontic techniques/therapy and science in the past 20 years? The purpose of this paper is to take five topics and match the perceptions with the scientific evidence. The variety of appliances and the swings in treatment philosophy have been dramatic, including the swing from extraction to non-extraction therapy, the introduction of space-age wires, appliances that grow mandibles, the introduction and extraordinary growth of Invisalign, and reduced friction brackets to reduce treatment time, all with claims by manufacturers of better results than ever before. The focus is on faster treatment, reduced visits/appointments and superior results. Most of these ‘advancements’ represent what has been the ‘juggernaut of technology’. Materials and methods: Five questions are posed, and an evidencebased approach is used to critically examine the literature in these selected topics. Results: The evidence is lacking for some of the most commonly used systems and materials in orthodontic practice today. Conclusion: More randomised clinical trials are needed in orthodontic practice to evaluate treatment outcomes

Packetized-voice/data integrated transmission on a token passing ring local area network

This paper investigates the performance of a token passing ring network with packetized-voice/data mixed traffic through extensive simulations. Both data and voice users are modeled in the simulations. Data users produce bursty traffic. Voice traffic is modeled as having alternating talkspurts and silences, with generation of voice packets at a constant rate during talkspurts and no packet generation during silence periods.The network performance measures obtained include: the distribution of transmission delays for voice packets, the average transmission delay and loss probabilities for voice packets, the number of voice users allowed on a network while satisfying the real-time constraints of speech, and the average transmission delay for data packets.Token passing ring local area networks are shown to effectively handle both voice and data traffic. The effects of system parameters (e.g., voice packet length, talkspurt/silence lengths, data traffic intensity, and limited versus exhaustive service disciplines) on network performance are discussed

Survey of unified approaches to integrated-service networks

The increasing demand for communication services, coupled with recent technological advances in communication media and switching techniques, has resulted in a proliferation of new and expanded services. Currently, networks are needed which can transmit voice, data, and video services in an application-independent fashion. Unified approaches employ a single switching technique across the entire network bandwidth, thus, allowing services to be switched in an application-independent manner. This paper presents a taxonomy of integrated-service networks including a look at N-ISDN, while focusing on unified approaches to integrated-service networks.The two most promising unified approaches are burst and fast packet switching. Burst switching is a circuit switching-based approach which allocates channel bandwidth to a connection only during the transmission of "bursts" of information. Fast packet switching is a packet switching-based approach which can be characterized by very high transmission rates on network links and simple, hardwired protocols which match the rapid channel speed of the network. Both approaches are being proposed as possible implementations for integrated-service networks. We survey these two approaches, and also examine the key performance issues found in fast packet switching. We then present the results of a simulation study of a fast packet switching network

Preliminary analysis of an integrated logistics system for OSSA payloads

The results of studies of the Office of Space Science and Applications' (OSSA) need for an integrated logistics system to support OSSA payloads, whether attached to the Space Station or free-flying are detailed. An executive summary, the integrated logistics support strategy, preparation of planning documents and a supportability analysis of the 1.8 meter centrifuge are discussed

Glass-ionomer Adhesives in Orthodontics: Clinical Implications and Future Research Directions

During the past ten years significant advances have been made in the development of glass-ionomer bonding adhesives. The beneficial effects of fluoride are well documented and an agent which reduces or prevents a white spot lesion that commonly occurs clinically, is desirable. There has been a notable lack of randomized clinical trials to determine the prevalence of white spot lesions after orthodontic treatment although it is often reported in the literature. White spot lesions pose health and esthetic problems and their proper clinical management has yet to be resolved. The objective of this paper Is to review the literature in this area and suggest a rationale for a clinical trial to assess the efficiency of glass-ionomer adhesives in facing the problem of decalcification and study the bond strength of these materials