scholarly journals A Comparison of Beach Nourishment Methodology and Performance at Two Fringing Reef Beaches in Waikiki (Hawaii, USA) and Cadiz (SW Spain)

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan J. Muñoz-Perez ◽  
Shari L. Gallop ◽  
Luis J. Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Beach Nourishment ◽  
Volume Increase ◽  
Fringing Reef ◽  
Monitoring Frequency ◽  
Beach Dynamics ◽  
Fringing Reefs ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Native Sediment ◽  
Current Energy

Fringing reefs have significant impacts on beach dynamics, yet there is little research on how they should be considered in beach nourishment design, monitoring, and conservation works. Thus, the behavior and characteristics of nourishment projects at two reef protected beaches, Royal Hawaiian Beach (RHB) in Hawaii, USA, and Victoria Beach (VB) in Cadiz, Spain, are compared to provide transferable information for future nourishment projects and monitoring in fringing reef environments. The nourishment cost at RHB was nine times higher than VB. This is partly due to lower total volume and a more complex placement and spreading method at RHB, despite the much closer borrow site at RHB. There was a significant difference in post-nourishment monitoring frequency and assessment of accuracy. RHB elevation was monitored quarterly for 2.7 years at 30 m-spaced profiles, compared to 5 years of biannual surveys of 50 m-spacing at VB. An additional problem related to the presence of reefs at both RHB and VB was estimating the beach volume increase after nourishment, due to variable definitions of the ‘beach’ area and high alongshore variability in reef topography. At sites where non-native sediment is used, it is imperative to understand how wave and current energy changes due to reefs will influence nourishment longevity. Thus, differences in erosion and accretion mechanisms at both beaches have been detected, though are still little understood. Moreover, discrepancies in sediment porosity between the two sites (which should be surveyed in future nourishments) have been found, probably due to differences in the nourishment sand transportation and distribution methods. In summary, more dialogue is needed to explicitly consider the influence of fringing reefs on coastal processes and beach nourishment projects.

Exploring The Effect of Visual Information Degradation on Human Perception and Performance In A Human-Telerobot System

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 1302-1307
Author(s):  
Richard Stone ◽  
Minglu Wang ◽  
Thomas Schnieders ◽  
Esraa Abdelall
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Human Perception ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Hit Rate ◽  
Word Level ◽  
Level Of Automation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Human Operators ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level

Human-robotic interaction system are increasingly becoming integrated into industrial, commercial and emergency service agencies. It is critical that human operators understand and trust automation when these systems support and even make important decisions. The following study focused on human-in-loop telerobotic system performing a reconnaissance operation. Twenty-four subjects were divided into groups based on level of automation (Low-Level Automation (LLA), and High-Level Automation (HLA)). Results indicated a significant difference between low and high word level of control in hit rate when permanent error occurred. In the LLA group, the type of error had a significant effect on the hit rate. In general, the high level of automation was better than the low level of automation, especially if it was more reliable, suggesting that subjects in the HLA group could rely on the automatic implementation to perform the task more effectively and more accurately.

scholarly journals Prospective study to assess the tissue response to HPC-coated p48 flow diverter stents compared to uncoated devices in the rabbit carotid artery model

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Lenz-Habijan ◽  
Pervinder Bhogal ◽  
Catrin Bannewitz ◽  
Ralf Hannes ◽  
Hermann Monstadt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Body ◽  
Flow Diverter ◽  
Foreign Body Response ◽  
Tissue Response ◽  
Acute Setting ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Common Carotid Arteries

Abstract Background Flow diverters (FDs) are widely used in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, but the required medication increases the risk of haemorrhagic complications and limits their use in the acute setting. Surface modified FDs may limit the need for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Hydrophilic polymer coating (HPC) may reduce the need of medication. Methods This explorative study, approved by the local authorities and the local welfare committee, compared stent behaviour and overall tissue response between HPC-coated FDs and uncoated FDs, both implanted into the common carotid arteries of eight New Zealand white rabbits. Endothelialisation, inflammatory response, and performance during implantation were assessed. Angiographic follow-up was performed to observe the patency of the devices after implantation and after 30 days. Histological examinations were performed at 30 days to assess foreign body reaction and endothelialisation. Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare non-parametric variables. Results Angiography showed that both coated and uncoated FDs performed well during implantation. All devices remained patent during immediate follow-up and after 30 days. Histopathology showed no significant difference in inflammation within the vessel wall between the two cohorts (2.12 ± 0.75 vs. 1.96 ± 0.79, p = 0.7072). Complete endothelialisation of the stent struts was seen with very similar (0.04 ± 0.02 mm vs. 0.04 ± 0.03 mm, p = 0.892) neoendothelial thickness between the two cohorts after 30 days. Conclusion Taking into account the limitation in sample size, non-significant differences between the HPC-coated and uncoated FDs regarding implantation, foreign body response, and endothelialisation were found.

scholarly journals Awareness and Performance towards Proper Use of Disinfectants to Prevent COVID-19: The Case of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Safari ◽  
Reza Fouladi-Fard ◽  
Razieh Vahidmoghadam ◽  
Mohammad Raza Hosseini ◽  
Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Programs ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Arcview Gis ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation ◽  
Good Range ◽  
Awareness Level

This study aimed to assess the awareness and performance of Qom citizens towards using disinfectants and compared its relationship with geographical distribution of COVID-19 outbreak in Qom, Iran. The study was conducted by a researcher-made questionnaire during April and May, 2020. COVID-19 incidence data for each district of city was obtained from health department of Qom province. Data were analyzed using Excel, SPSS and ArcView (GIS) softwares. It was found that the highest level of citizens’ awareness (52%) was in the weak range while their performance (56%) was in the good range. According to Spearman’s correlation analysis, there was a strong correlation (rho 0.95) between the total mean of awareness and performance (p < 0.01). The highest incidence rate of COVID-19 was in district 7 which had the lowest mean score in both awareness and performance. In addition, the results of ANOVA (LSD—least significant difference) showed that there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between district 7—with lower mean scores in awareness and performance—and other districts. Overall, it is concluded that citizens’ awareness level was lower than that of their performance. This conclusion not only calls for more training programs to be implemented in public places, schools, universities and governmental offices, but it also necessitates maintaining a proper and timely training about using disinfectants.

scholarly journals Effect of Engaging Trainees by Assessing Peer Performance: A Randomised Controlled Trial Using Simulated Patient Scenarios

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Loumann Krogh ◽  
Charlotte Ringsted ◽  
Charles B. Kromann ◽  
Maria Birkvad Rasmussen ◽  
Tobias Todsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Global Rating ◽  
Training Performance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Training Format ◽  
Peer Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Introduction. The aim of this study was to explore the learning effect of engaging trainees by assessing peer performance during simulation-based training.Methods. Eighty-four final year medical students participated in the study. The intervention involved trainees assessing peer performance during training. Outcome measures were in-training performance and performance, both of which were measured two weeks after the course. Trainees’ performances were videotaped and assessed by two expert raters using a checklist that included a global rating. Trainees’ satisfaction with the training was also evaluated.Results. The intervention group obtained a significantly higher overall in-training performance score than the control group: mean checklist score 20.87 (SD 2.51) versus 19.14 (SD 2.65)P=0.003and mean global rating 3.25 SD (0.99) versus 2.95 (SD 1.09)P=0.014. Postcourse performance did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Trainees who assessed peer performance were more satisfied with the training than those who did not: mean 6.36 (SD 1.00) versus 5.74 (SD 1.33)P=0.025.Conclusion. Engaging trainees in the assessment of peer performance had an immediate effect on in-training performance, but not on the learning outcome measured two weeks later. Trainees had a positive attitude towards the training format.

scholarly journals The impact of image and performance enhancing drugs on bi-ventricular structure and function in strength-trained athletes and the association to fat-free mass

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Morrison ◽  
N Chester ◽  
R Mcgregor-Cheers ◽  
G Kleinnibbelink ◽  
C Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Allometric Scaling ◽  
Strain Imaging ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Lv Mass ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Performance Enhancing Drugs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Performance Enhancing

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institute of Health Research Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement Background Image and performance enhancing drugs (IPED) cause cardiac enlargement and dysfunction. Previous work has not assessed impact of user status (current [CU] vs. past [PU]) or allometric scaling cardiac dimensions for individual differences in fat-free mass (FFM). Purpose To investigate CU and PU of IPED and allometric scaling on LV and RV remodeling in strength-trained athletes. Methods Thirty-four (29 ± 6 years; 82% male) strength-trained athletes were recruited. Fourteen were CU, 9 PU and 11 non-users (NU) of IPEDs.  Participants underwent bioelectric impedance body composition analysis, IPED and training questionnaire and 2D echocardiography with strain imaging. All structural data was allometrically scaled to FFM according to the laws of geometric similarity. Results CU and PU had significantly higher FFM compared to NU (82.4 ± 10.1 kg vs. 72.0 ± 6.3 kg vs. 58.2 ± 14.0 kg). Absolute values of all RV and LV size were larger between CU and NU. LV mean wall thickness (MWT) was larger in CU compared to PU but there were no differences between PU and NU. Allometric scaling eliminated all differences with exception of LV mass and LVMWT. LVEF was significantly lower in CU and PU compared to NU (55 ± 3 vs. 57 ± 4 vs. 61 ± 4) whilst LV GLS was lower in CU compared to PU and NU and LV GCS was lower in CU compared to NU but not PU. There was no significant difference between groups for RV functional indices. Conclusion  Strength-trained athletes currently using IPEDs have bi-ventricular enlargement as well as reduced LV function. Allometric scaling highlights that increased size is partially associated with a larger FFM, with exception of LVMWT which is independently increased through IPED use. PUs demonstrate reverse structural remodeling whilst functional differences partially remain. CU PU NU RVD1 (mm) 45 ± 5* 43 ± 6 37 ± 6 Scaled RVD1 (mm/kg^0.33) 10.5 ± 0.9 10.4 ± 1.5 9.7 ± 1.0 LVd (mm) 58 ± 7* 55 ± 4 50 ± 4 Scaled LVd (mm/kg^0.33) 13.4 ± 1.2 13.3 ± 0.7 13.1 ± 0.6 MWT (mm) 10 ± 1*” 8 ± 1 8 ± 1 Scaled MWT (mm/kg^0.33) 2.3 ± 0.2*” 2.0 ± 0.1 2.0 ± 0.2 LVEDV (ml) 169 ± 42* 135 ± 28 116 ± 28 Scaled LVEDV (ml/kg) 2.0 ± 0.4 1.9 ± 0.3 2.0 ± 0.2 LV Mass (g) 255 ± 85*” 179 ± 30 137 ± 40 LV mass index (g/kg) 3.1 ± 0.8* 2.5 ± 0.3 2.4 ± 0.4 * CU and NU “ CU and PU ^ PU and NU Abstract Figure. Myocardial strain imaging

Impact of PICU Admission on Neurocognitive Function in Children

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasha Hussein Aly ◽  
Ahmed Rezk Ahmed ◽  
Raghda Zaitoun ◽  
Sarah Mohamed Nabil Ai-Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Cognitive Outcome ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Iq Testing ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Iq Scores ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective To study the impact of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on children's neurocognitive performance. Methods A case–control observational study including 50 children & adolescents and 75 age and gender matched children and adolescents.The study subjects underwent formative IQ testing using the Stanford Binet IQ test 3 months after discharge from the PICU. Results 27 males and 23 females with a mean age of 6.98 years were included in the study. Almost two thirds of the cases were admitted to the PICU post operatively (surgical causes). More than half of the cases needed sedation, 38% needed mechanical ventilation and 12% needed inotropic support. There was no statistically significant difference between cases and controls are regard IQ scores (total, verbal and performance IQ scores), neither was there a difference between medical and surgical cases. Data from similar pediatric cohorts is conflicting. Conclusion PICU does not seem to affect cognitive outcome in pediatric survivors. Further long term studies using standard scoring systems and time points of assessment are required.

Word Recognition in Multitalker Babble Measured with Two Psychophysical Methods

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (08) ◽  
pp. 622-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Wilson ◽  
Christopher A. Burks ◽  
Deborah G. Weakley
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Recognition Performance ◽  
Random Presentation ◽  
Presentation Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Northwestern University ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the relationship between psychometric functions for words presented in multitalker babble using a descending presentation level protocol and a random presentation level protocol. Forty veterans (mean = 63.5 years) with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing losses were enrolled. Seventy of the Northwestern University Auditory Test No. 6 words spoken by the VA female speaker were presented at seven signal-to-babble ratios from 24 to 0 dB (10 words/step). Although the random procedure required 69 sec longer to administer than the descending protocol, there was no significant difference between the results obtained with the two psychophysical methods. There was almost no relation between the perceived ability of the listeners to understand speech in background noise and their measured ability to understand speech in multitalker babble. Likewise, there was a tenuous relation between pure-tone thresholds and performance on the words in babble and between recognition performance in quiet and performance on the words in babble.

Preoperative neuropsychological and behavioral evaluation of children with thalamic tumors

2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 507-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Chieffo ◽  
Gianpiero Tamburrini ◽  
Massimo Caldarelli ◽  
Concezio Di Rocco
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Histological Finding ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Neuropsychological Evaluation ◽  
Thalamic Tumor ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Thalamic Tumors

Object Functional involvement of the thalamus in cognitive processing has been only anecdotally reported in the literature, and these cases are mostly related to thalamic hemorrhages; there is no available information on cognitive development in children with thalamic tumors. Methods All children admitted with a diagnosis of thalamic tumor at the authors' institution between January 2008 and January 2011 were considered for the present study. Exclusion criteria were age less than 18 months and the presence of severe neurological deficits, both of which prevented a reliable neuropsychological evaluation. A complete preoperative neuropsychological evaluation was performed. Results Twenty children were selected (mean age 102.4 months). Total IQ was in the normal range in all patients (mean 90.1, SD 13.87) with a significant difference between verbal IQ (mean 97.70, SD 17.77) and performance IQ (mean 84.82, SD 17.01). A significant correlation was found between global cognitive impairment and a histological finding of low-grade tumors (p < 0.001). Children with a mesial thalamic tumor had a higher working memory deficit and delayed recall disorders (p < 0.001). Naming disorders were related to the presence of a bilateral (p < 0.001) or mesial (p < 0.001) thalamic tumor, without a significant difference between left or right hemisphere involvement. A significant correlation was also found between the presence of neurolinguistic disorders and mesially located tumors (p < 0.001). Children with right-sided tumors more frequently had constructional apraxia and executive function disorders (p < 0.001). Conclusions The present study suggests that thalamic tumors in different locations might have specific neuropsychological profiles.

Using comprehension strategies for students' self-efficacy, anxiety, and proficiency in reading English as a foreign language

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Chang Liao ◽  
Ya-Huei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Comprehension Strategies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Verbal Persuasion ◽  
Reading Comprehension Strategies ◽  
English Reading ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Experimental Group

We examined whether or not instructing Taiwanese students in the use of comprehension strategies when they are reading English as a foreign language, reduces their English reading anxiety and increases their English reading self-efficacy and proficiency. We used a quasiexperimental design and conducted a 15-week course. The experimental group (n = 31) received instruction in reading comprehension strategies and the control group (n = 31) received instruction by traditional teaching methods. The results show that the experimental group had less anxiety when reading English and higher proficiency than the control group. In regard to self-efficacy when reading English, the experimental group also performed better than the control group in terms of self-affirmation, perseverance, verbal persuasion, and performance overall. However, there was no statistically significant difference for learning attitude between the groups.

scholarly journals Performance and Return to Sport Following Ulnar Nerve Transposition/Decompression in Professional Baseball Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0016
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Anthony A. Romeo
Keyword(s):  
Ulnar Nerve ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Return To Sport ◽  
Professional Baseball ◽  
Baseball Players ◽  
Nerve Decompression ◽  
Ulnar Nerve Transposition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Nerve Transposition

Background: Isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition is an uncommon surgery amongst professional baseball players. Purpose: To determine the rate of return to sport (RTS) and performance upon RTS in professional baseball players following isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, including those who required an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), and to determine if outcomes differ between players with isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition and matched controls. Hypothesis: There is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball players undergoing isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition with no significant difference in RTS rate or performance (specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of earned run average (ERA), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), wins above replacement (WAR), and on base + slugging percentage (OPS)) between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall 52 players, 83% pitchers (14 who underwent prior UCLR) were included. Most surgeries (92%) were anterior subcutaneous transpositions. Overall, 62% of players were able to successfully RTS and 56% returned to the same or a higher level. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in the majority of performance metrics pre-operative or post-operatively, specifically ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. When players who had a UCLR prior to their ulnar nerve transposition/decompression were compared to controls with a history of a UCLR but who did not go on to have an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression, the only performance difference of all the recorded metrics was cases allowed more walks per 9 innings (4.4 vs. 2.8; p=0.011). Conclusion: Anterior subcutaneous transposition is the most common surgery in professional baseball players to address ulnar nerve compression. Players have a 62% rate of RTS. Upon RTS, players performance compared to matched controls remains the same in the majority of performance metrics including ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. Post-operatively, pitchers with a UCLR prior to ulnar nerve transposition/decompression performed the same as matched controls with prior UCLR.

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