Psychometric Evaluation of the Cybersecurity Concept Inventory

We present a psychometric evaluation of a revised version of the Cybersecurity Concept Inventory (CCI) , completed by 354 students from 29 colleges and universities. The CCI is a conceptual test of understanding created to enable research on instruction quality in cybersecurity education. This work extends previous expert review and small-scale pilot testing of the CCI. Results show that the CCI aligns with a curriculum many instructors expect from an introductory cybersecurity course, and that it is a valid and reliable tool for assessing what conceptual cybersecurity knowledge students learned.

Extending the Indications of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for Fluorescence-Guided Surgery for Different Central Nervous System Tumors: A Series of 255 Cases in Latin America

Introduction Fluorescence guidance with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a safe and reliable tool in total gross resection of intracranial tumors, especially malignant gliomas and cases of metastasis. In the present retrospective study, we have analyzed 5-ALA-induced fluorescence findings in different central nervous system (CNS) lesions to expand the indications of its use in differential diagnoses. Objectives To describe the indications and results of 5-ALA fluorescence in a series of 255 cases. Methods In 255 consecutive cases, we recorded age, gender, intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence tumor response, and 5-ALA postresection status, as well the complications related to the method. Postresection was classified as ‘5-ALA free’ or ‘5-ALA residual’. The diagnosis of histopathological tumor was established according to the current classification of the World Health Organization (WHO). Results There were 195 (76.4%) 5-ALA positive cases, 124 (63.5%) of whom underwent the ‘5-ALA free’ resection. The findings in the positive cases were: 135 gliomas of all grades; 19 meningiomas; 4 hemangioblastomas; 1 solitary fibrous tumor; 27 metastases; 2 diffuse large B cell lymphomas; 2 cases of radionecrosis; 1 inflammatory disease; 2 cases of gliosis; 1 cysticercosis; and 1 immunoglobulin G4-related disease. Conclusion Fluorescence with 5-ALA can be observed in lesions other than malignant gliomas or metastases, including meningiomas, hemangioblastomas, pilocytic astrocytomas, and lymphomas. Although there is need for further evidence for the use of 5-ALA beyond high-grade gliomas, it may be a safe and reliable tool to improve resection in positive tumors or to guide the histopathologic analysis in biopsies.

B-Mode Ultrasound, a Reliable Tool for Monitoring Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently used for the study of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in animal models. However, ultrasound is an inexpensive, non-invasive and rapid technique that could facilitate the diagnosis and follow-up of ICH. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of B-mode ultrasound as an alternative tool for in vivo monitoring of ICH volume and brain structure displacement in an animal model.Methods: A total of 31 male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to an ICH model using collagenase-IV in the striatum following stereotaxic references. The animals were randomly allocated into 3 groups: healthy (n = 10), sham (n = 10) and ICH (n = 11). B-mode ultrasound studies with a 13-MHz probe were performed pre-ICH and at 5 h, 48 h, 4 d and 1 mo post-ICH for the assessment of ICH volume and displacement of brain structures, considering the distance between the subarachnoid cisterns and the dura mater. The same variables were studied by MRI at 48 h and 1 mo post-ICH.Results: Both imaging techniques showed excellent correlation in measuring ICH volume at 48 h (r = 0.905) and good at 1 mo (r = 0.656). An excellent correlation was also observed in the measured distance between the subarachnoid cisterns and the dura mater at 1 mo between B-mode ultrasound and MRI, on both the ipsilateral (r = 0.870) and contralateral (r = 0.906) sides of the lesion.Conclusion: B-mode ultrasound imaging appears to be a reliable tool for in vivo assessment of ICH volume and displacement of brain structures in animal models.

DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDISATION OF SEXUAL SATISFEACTION SCALE

The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive,valid,and reliable tool to measure the level of sexual satisfaction of married men and women and has been named as Sexual Satisfaction Scale (SSS).Initially, the item selection was done based on the past literature and on interviews of 30 happily married couples.Secondly,administration of questionnaire in 23 married male and females were done and thirdly,administration of draft was done in 200 married male and female in age ranging 20 - 60 in different cities of Kerala.The reliability established was 0.78 and validity was 0.69.

Gagging Assessment Scale: A Reliable Tool For Assessing Association Between Gagging And Dental Fear In Children Prior Dental Treatment- A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Gagging is a normal protective defence mechanism of our body that prevents entry of foreign bodies into the airway, which can create undue havoc during dental treatment especially in children. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of gagging and any of its existing association with dental fear and anxiety in children prior to dental treatment. A cross-sectional pilot study design was conducted in South Indian children (age group: 3-10 years) having no history of underlying psychological and systemic ailment. Different assessment scales of gagging (Gagging Assessment Scale [GAS], Shorter Objective Form of Gagging Problem Assessment [GPA-SF]/OGPA), dental fear (Children’s Fear Survey Schedule Dental Subscale [CFSS-DS]) and anxiety (Modified Dental Anxiety Scale- Faces [MDASF]) were administered to evaluate their response prior to the treatment. Younger children specifically females demonstrated severity of gagging reflex, which was directly correlated to their higher perception of dental fear and anxiety. However, no conclusive evidence of an association between gagging, dental fear and anxiety was ascertained. Prior knowledge of the gagging problem in children can help clinicians to effectively modify the treatment modalities for successful outcomes, while GAS could be a reliable tool for assessing its severity in children prior to dental treatment.

Numerical simulation of changes in the electric properties of biological tissues under local heating by laser radiation

The mathematical model that describes the local heating of biological tissues by optical radiation is introduced. Changes of the electric properties of biological tissues in such process can be used as a reliable tool for analyzing heating and damage degrees of tissues.

Identifying the critical orientation of wood-frame walls in assessing moisture risks using hygrothermal simulation

Hygrothermal simulations can be used as a reliable tool in analysing moisture performance. For an efficient analysis, it is important to appropriately select the wall orientation in the simulations. ASHRAE 160 recommends to using orientation with highest amount of annual wind-driven rain (WDR) and the orientation with the least annual solar radiation. The objective of this work was to identify the orientation which leads to the worst moisture performance of different wall assemblies under historical climate in different Canadian cities. Four cardinal orientations (North, East, South, and West) and orientation receiving the highest amount of annual WDR (Default) were tested in this study. The simulations were carried out assuming three scenarios of moisture loads for four different wood-frame (2×6 wood stud) wall systems that differ by their claddings: brick, fibreboard, stucco, and vinyl. With an assumption of no WDR, north facing wall always leads to the worst moisture performance. In the presence of WDR, with and without water source, default orientation leads to the worst moisture performance with few exceptions. As default orientation was based on total sum of WDR, it sometimes may not lead to worst performance and hence hourly distribution of WDR should be taken into consideration.