Test Position Effects on Hit and False Alarm Rates in Recognition Memory for Paintings and Words

When old/new recognition memory is tested with equal numbers of studied and non-studied items and no rewards or instructions that favour one response over the other, there is no obvious reason for response bias. In line with this, Canadian undergraduates have shown, on average, a neutral response bias when we tested them on recognition of common English words. By contrast, most subjects we have tested on recognition of richly detailed images have shown a conservative bias: they more often erred by missing a studied image than by judging a non-studied image as studied. Here, in an effort to better understand these materials-based bias effects (MBBEs), we examined changes in hit and false alarm (FA) rates (and in sensitivity and bias) from the first to fourth quartile of a recognition memory test in eight experiments in which undergraduates studied words and/or images of paintings. Response bias for images tended to increase across quartiles, whereas bias for words showed no consistent pattern across quartiles. This pattern could be described as an increase in the MBBE over the course of the test, but the underlying patterns for hits and FAs are not easily reconciled with this interpretation. Hit rates decreased over the course of the test for both materials types, with that decline tending to be steeper for images than words. For words, FA rates tended to increase across quartiles, whereas for paintings FA rates did not increase across quartiles. We discuss implications of these findings for theoretical accounts of the MBBE.

Modification of Patients’ Sensitivity to Galvanic Current After the Administered Systemic Cryotherapy

Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of patients to galvanic current after systemic cryotherapy. Material and Methods: Study group: 77 physiotherapists – hospital employees, aged 21-64 (AVG 29.4±9.5). The sensitivity was evaluated four times: before and immediately after the systemic cryotherapy procedure (1 session, 2 minutes, temperature -120°C), after exercising on a vertical cycle ergometer (20 minutes) and 4 hours after the procedure. The intensity of the galvanic current, which caused a slight tingling, was recorded. Two electrode placements were used: longitudinal on the upper limbs and transverse over the knee joints. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the mean sensitivity to the galvanic current measured on both upper limbs or over the knee joints increases statistically significantly after systemic cryotherapy treatments. This effect persists even after 4 hours (Friedman’s ANOVA, p<0.001). Statistically significant increases in sensitivity to galvanic current were found compared to initial values for each pair of measurements, irrespective of electrode placement and test position (Wilcoxon test, p<0.01). The increase in sensitivity according to the measuring position concerned 68.8; 63.6; 72.7% of the participants on the left upper limb, on the right 61.0; 68.8; 74.0%, over the left knee joint 61.0; 68.8; 72.7% and over the right 58.4, 75.3 and 80.5% of the subjects in the study group. Conclusions: 1. After the administered systemic cryotherapy, sensitivity to galvanic current increases in most patients. 2. The increase in sensitivity to galvanic current depends on the time difference between treatments and is individually variable.

Fusion of multi-view ultrasonic data for increased detection performance in non-destructive evaluation

State-of-the-art ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) uses an array to rapidly generate multiple, information-rich views at each test position on a safety-critical component. However, the information for detecting potential defects is dispersed across views, and a typical inspection may involve thousands of test positions. Interpretation requires painstaking analysis by a skilled operator. In this paper, various methods for fusing multi-view data are developed. Compared with any one single view, all methods are shown to yield significant performance gains, which may be related to the general and edge cases for NDE. In the general case, a defect is clearly detectable in at least one individual view, but the view(s) depends on the defect location and orientation. Here, the performance gain from data fusion is mainly the result of the selective use of information from the most appropriate view(s) and fusion provides a means to substantially reduce operator burden. The edge cases are defects that cannot be reliably detected in any one individual view without false alarms. Here, certain fusion methods are shown to enable detection with reduced false alarms. In this context, fusion allows NDE capability to be extended with potential implications for the design and operation of engineering assets.

Mapping the time course of semantic activation in mediated false memory: Immediate classification, naming, and recognition

We evaluated the time course of persistent automatic spreading activation from a mediated list of indirect associates (e.g., meow, day, and basement) that all converged upon a non-presented critical item (CI; e.g., black). Mediated lists were related to CIs through non-presented mediators (e.g., cat, night, and bottom). Three speeded tasks were used to evaluate the time course of semantic activation of the CI: a continuous semantic classification task (concrete/abstract decisions), a naming task (reading words aloud), or a recognition test (old/new memory decisions). Test lists were presented immediately following the mediated lists, and CIs were presented in the first, third, or eighth positions. The results revealed that in both the classification and naming tasks, CI priming was greatest in the first test position and declined across the remaining test positions. Importantly, priming was statistically reliable in the late test positions, providing evidence for long-term semantic priming (i.e., across positions on immediate tasks). False recognition, however, was stable across test positions. Collectively, these patterns suggest that spreading-activation processes decline, consistent with implicit spreading activation, and these processes may contribute to long-term false recognition.

COMPARISON OF ULTRASONIC PULSE VELOCITY TEST RESULTS WITH AND WITHOUT USING TRANSDUCER STABILIZER

Some research on the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) test has not covered much about the problems encountered during the data collection process. Based on experience using UPV test equipment, it is known that instability occurs in reading the test results. This is caused by the inability of the operator, in maintaining the stability of the transducer both in its position and pressure, especially in the measurement with the overhead position. Therefore, in this study a tool was made to make the transducer stable in the test position. Comparison of measurement results shows that, the uncertainty of wave velocity measurement decreases from the range of 4% -17% to 0.2% -0.4%. Meanwhile, the uncertainty of measurement of wave travel time decreased from the range of 0.8% -14% to 0.1% -0.4%. This can be interpreted that, the level of accuracy of measurements using a transducer stabilizer is 99.6% -99.9%. Thus, the use of transducer stabilizers is believed to be able to improve measurement accuracy.

Safety Test of Agarwood Leaves Tea (Aquilaria malaccencis Lamk.) Through Skin Sensitization Test on Albino Rabbit

BACKGROUND: Agarwood tree (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk) is a tree from the Thymeleaceae tribe that has a high selling value. The part that is often used is the sapwood of the agarwood tree, used as a base for perfumes and traditional medicines. Agarwood farmers in Langkat have used their leaves as tea drinks, brewing aloes leaves. Before being widely produced by the community, it is necessary to test the safety of agarwood leaf tea products through skin sensitization test. AIM: To find out whether steeping aloes leaves irritate the skin or not. METHODS: The test method using test animals namely albino rabbits as many as 15 tails, consisting of 4 test groups 1 group there were 3 test animals and 1 control group, induced with Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) by intradermal and topical injection with a test position of 1.3%, 2.6%, 3.9% and 5.2% to form an immune response, then a Challenge test. The level and degree of skin reaction were assessed based on the Magnusson and Kligman scales. RESULTS: From the observation for 72 hours there was no change in the skin of the test animals after exposure to the test doses, indicating that the agarwood leaf tea is safe to consume if the tea is on the skin, the skin will not experience irritation. CONCLUSION: Testing on albino rabbits with four different doses did not show an irritating effect on the skin. Observation also shows that there is not a single bit that can affect intradermal to challenge testing so it was safe for consumption.

Screw Withdrawal Properties of Kelampayan and Sesendok Glue-Laminated Timber

Glue-laminated timbers were produced using two species, Kelampayan and Sesendok. Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) was used as binder for the glue-laminated timber manufacturing. Screws with same diameter (3.5mm) and length (50mm), but with different angle and distance of pitch were used. The screw-withdrawal test position was selected for 3 direction designated as the surface, front and side. The test result found that both of pitches of screws are suitable for Kelampayan species. In side position, Kelampayan species showed the best screw holding strength and this result is followed by Sesendok species. In surface position, Pitch 2 has highest withdrawal strength for the Kelampayan species. In all position, Pitch 1 is suitable for Sesendok species and Pitch 2 is suitable for Kelampayan species. In both of pitches, Kelampayan attained higher withdrawal strength when compared to Sesendok.

Clinical Breathing Mechanics Differ Based on Test and Position

Context: Altered diaphragm function is linked to decreased core stabilization, postural changes, and decreased function. Two clinical tests used to assess breathing are the Hi-lo and lateral rib expansion (LRE) tests. It is currently unknown how breathing classification based on these tests differ and how their results are affected by varying test positions. Objective: To compare the results of breathing tests when conducted in varying test positions. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 50 healthy adults (females 31 and males 29; age 29.3 [4.1] y; height 170.0 [10.4] cm; weight70.7 [15.1] kg). Intervention(s): Hi-lo and LRE tests in supine, seated, standing, and half-kneeling body positions. All tests were recorded and later scored by a single examiner. A generalized estimating equations approach with breathing test and body position as factors was used for analysis. Pairwise comparison with Bonferroni correction was used to adjust for multiple tests. Statistical significance was set at P = .05, 2 tailed. Main Outcome Measures: Hi-lo and LRE tests were scored based on the presence or absence of abdominal excursion, LRE, and superior rib cage migration. Following scoring, results were classified as functional or dysfunctional based on observation of these criteria. Results: A significant breathing test × test position interaction (P < .01) was noted, as well as main effects for test (P < .01) and test position (P < .01). All Hi-lo test positions identified significantly more dysfunctional breathers in positions of increased stability demand (P < .01), except between standing and half-kneeling positions (P = .52). In the LRE test, all positions were similar (P > .99) except for half-kneeling, which was significantly different from all other positions (P < .01). Conclusions: The Hi-lo test and LRE tests assess different breathing mechanics. Clinicians should use these tests in combination to gain a comprehensive understanding of a person’s breathing pattern. The Hi-lo test should be administered in multiple testing positions.