Intra-assessor consistency in question answering

In this paper we investigate the consistency of answer assessment in a complex question answering task examining features of assessor consistency, types of answers and question type

Contextual information and assessor characteristics in complex question answering

The ciqa track investigates the role of interaction in answering complex questions: questions that relate two or more entities by some specified relationship. In our submission to the first ciqa track we were interested in the interplay between groups of variables: variables describing the question creators, the questions asked and the presentation of answers to the questions. We used two interaction forms - html questionnaires completed before answer assessment - to gain contextual information from the answer assessors to better understand what factors influence assessors when judging retrieved answers to complex questions. Our results indicate the importance of understanding the assessor's personal relationship to the question - their existing topical knowledge for example - and also the presentation of the answers - contextual information about the answer to aid in the assessment of the answer

Attributions for Rejection and Acceptance in Young Adults with Borderline and Avoidant Personality Features

Individuals with borderline and avoidant personality disorders show interpersonal dysfunction that includes maladaptive responses to rejection and reduced emotional benefits from acceptance. To identify the attributional styles that may underlie these difficulties, we examined causal attributions for rejection and acceptance among undergraduates high in features of each disorder and a healthy comparison group. In Study 1, participants rated how likely they were to attribute hypothetical rejection and acceptance experiences to positive and negative qualities of the self and others, as well as external circumstances. In Study 2, we examined these same attributions in daily diary assessments of real rejection and acceptance experiences. Although the two studies showed some differences in results, they both linked borderline personality features with suspicious, selfbolstering responses and avoidant personality features with perceived inferiority. Distinct attributional styles may contribute to the distinct interpersonal problems characteristic of these conditions

A review of mammographic positioning image quality criteria for the craniocaudal projection

Detection of breast cancer is reliant on optimal breast positioning and the production of quality images. Two projections, the mediolateral (MLO) and craniocaudal (CC), are routinely performed. Determination of successful positioning and inclusion of all breast tissue is achieved through meeting stated image quality criteria. For the CC view, current image quality criteria are inconsistent. Absence of reliable anatomical markers, other than the nipple, further contribute to difficulties in assessing the quality of CC views. The aim of this paper was to explore published international quality standards to identify and find the origin of any CC positioning criteria which might provide for quantitative assessment. The pectoralis major (pectoral) muscle was identified as a key posterior anatomical structure to establish optimum breast tissue inclusion on mammographic projections. It forms the first two of the three main CC metrics that are frequently reported 1. visualisation of the pectoral muscle, 2. measurement of the posterior nipple line (PNL) and 3. depiction of retroglandular fat. This literature review explores the origin of the three metrics, and discusses three key publications, spanning 1992 to 1994, on which subsequent image quality standards have been based. The evidence base to support published CC metrics is sometimes not specified and more often the same set of publications are cited, most often without critical evaluation. To conclude, there remains uncertainty if the metrics explored for the CC view support objective evaluation and reproducibility to confirm optimal breast positioning and quality images

714-6 Increased Action Potential Prolongation by Low Voltage Biphasic versus Monophasic Field Stimuli

In an in-vitro model for defibrillation, we compared action potential prolongation (APP) by monophasic (MONO) and biphasic (BI) field stimulus shocks in epicardial tissue strips from 10 dogs. Strips were paced at one end while cellular impalements were maintained in the center (cell A) to measure APP and at the other end (cell B) to determine if shocks produced propagated activations. Rectangular shocks (0.5 to 10V/cm) were delivered with MONO (8 ms) or BI (4.8/3.2 ms) waveforms at times ranging from 44% to 112% of the APD90 of cell A. Recordings were made during 3975 shocked and 2578 control action potentials. APP was the % increase in shocked repolarization time relative to the interlaced controls.While weaker MONO and BI shocks produced propagated activations, the threshold intensity ABOVEwhich shocks did NOTproduce activations was 25.9% lower (p<0.0005) for BI (2.78V/cm) versus MONO (3.75 V/cm). At most intensities and timings, MONO produced more APP than BI. However, for 2 to 4 V/cm shocks at 90% to 100% of APD90, BI produced more APP than MONO (36.9% versus 17.7%, P < 0.0001) shocks.Thus, increased defibrillation efficacy of BI waveforms may result from a greater APP by BI in the low-voltage gradient regions of the heart during defibrillation