A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Cognitive Remediation (CACR) in Adolescents with Psychosis or at High Risk of Psychosis.

Background: Computer assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) was demonstrated to be efficient in improving cognitive deficits in adults with psychosis. However, scarce studies explored the outcome of CACR in adolescents with psychosis or at high risk. Aims: To investigate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) program in adolescents with psychosis or at high risk. Method: Intention to treat analyses included 32 adolescents who participated in a blinded 8-week randomized controlled trial of CACR treatment compared to computer games (CG). Cognitive abilities, symptoms and psychosocial functioning were assessed at baseline and posttreatment. Results: Improvement in visuospatial abilities was significantly greater in the CACR group than in CG. Other cognitive functions, psychotic symptoms and psychosocial functioning improved significantly, but at similar rates, in the two groups. Conclusion: CACR can be successfully administered in this population; it proved to be effective over and above CG for the most intensively trained cognitive ability.

Evaluation of a computer model to simulate water table response to subirrigation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the water flow computer model, WATABLE, using experimental field observations on water table management plots from a site located near Hastings, FL, USA. The experimental field had scale drainage systems with provisions for subirrigation with buried microirrigation and conventional seepage irrigation systems. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) growing seasons from years 1996 and 1997 were used to simulate the hydrology of the area. Water table levels, precipitation, irrigation and runoff volumes were continuously monitored. The model simulated the water movement from a buried microirrigation line source and the response of the water table to irrigation, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and deep percolation. The model was calibrated and verified by comparing simulated results with experimental field observations. The model performed very well in simulating seasonal runoff, irrigation volumes, and water table levels during crop growth. The two-dimensional model can be used to investigate different irrigation strategies involving water table management control. Applications of the model include optimization of the water table depth for each growth stage, and duration, frequency, and rate of irrigation.

Molecular diagnostics of gliomas: the clinical perspective.

Significant progress has been made in the molecular diagnostic subtyping of brain tumors, in particular gliomas. In contrast to the classical molecular markers in this field, p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status, the clinical significance of which has remained controversial, at least three important molecular markers with clinical implications have now been identified: 1p/19q codeletion, O⁶-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutations. All three are favorable prognostic markers. 1p/19q codeletion and IDH1 mutations are also useful to support and extend the histological classification of gliomas since they are strongly linked to oligodendroglial morphology and grade II/III gliomas, as opposed to glioblastoma, respectively. MGMT promoter methylation is the only potentially predictive marker, at least for alkylating agent chemotherapy in glioblastoma. Beyond these classical markers, the increasing repertoire of anti-angiogenic agents that are currently explored within registration trials for gliomas urgently calls for efforts to identify molecular markers that predict the benefit derived from these novel treatments, too.

Paper 5: Surveillance of multiple congenital anomalies: implementation of a computer algorithm in European registers for classification of cases.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of multiple congenital anomalies is considered to be more sensitive for the detection of new teratogens than surveillance of all or isolated congenital anomalies. Current literature proposes the manual review of all cases for classification into isolated or multiple congenital anomalies. METHODS: Multiple anomalies were defined as two or more major congenital anomalies, excluding sequences and syndromes. A computer algorithm for classification of major congenital anomaly cases in the EUROCAT database according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD)v10 codes was programmed, further developed, and implemented for 1 year's data (2004) from 25 registries. The group of cases classified with potential multiple congenital anomalies were manually reviewed by three geneticists to reach a final agreement of classification as "multiple congenital anomaly" cases. RESULTS: A total of 17,733 cases with major congenital anomalies were reported giving an overall prevalence of major congenital anomalies at 2.17%. The computer algorithm classified 10.5% of all cases as "potentially multiple congenital anomalies". After manual review of these cases, 7% were agreed to have true multiple congenital anomalies. Furthermore, the algorithm classified 15% of all cases as having chromosomal anomalies, 2% as monogenic syndromes, and 76% as isolated congenital anomalies. The proportion of multiple anomalies varies by congenital anomaly subgroup with up to 35% of cases with bilateral renal agenesis. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the EUROCAT computer algorithm is a feasible, efficient, and transparent way to improve classification of congenital anomalies for surveillance and research.

The Learning Affect Monitor (LAM) - A computer-based system integrating quantitative and qualitative assessment of affective states in daily life.

The Learning Affect Monitor (LAM) is a new computer-based assessment system integrating basic dimensional evaluation and discrete description of affective states in daily life, based on an autonomous adapting system. Subjects evaluate their affective states according to a tridimensional space (valence and activation circumplex as well as global intensity) and then qualify it using up to 30 adjective descriptors chosen from a list. The system gradually adapts to the user, enabling the affect descriptors it presents to be increasingly relevant. An initial study with 51 subjects, using a 1 week time-sampling with 8 to 10 randomized signals per day, produced n = 2,813 records with good reliability measures (e.g., response rate of 88.8%, mean split-half reliability of .86), user acceptance, and usability. Multilevel analyses show circadian and hebdomadal patterns, and significant individual and situational variance components of the basic dimension evaluations. Validity analyses indicate sound assignment of qualitative affect descriptors in the bidimensional semantic space according to the circumplex model of basic affect dimensions. The LAM assessment module can be implemented on different platforms (palm, desk, mobile phone) and provides very rapid and meaningful data collection, preserving complex and interindividually comparable information in the domain of emotion and well-being.

Road Profile Adjustment Computer Program, HR-143, 1969

A computer program to adjust roadway profiles has been developed to serve as an aid to the county engineers of the State of Iowa. Many hours are spent reducing field notes and calculating adjusted roadway profiles to prepare an existing roadway for paving that will produce a high quality ride and be as maintenance free as possible. Since the computer is very well adapted to performing long tedious tasks; programming this work for a computer would result in freeing the engineer of these tasks. Freed from manual calculations, the engineer is able to spend more time in solving engineering problems. The type of roadway that this computer program is designed to adjust is a road that at sometime. in its history was graded to a finished subgrade. After a period of time, this road is to receive a finished paved surface. The problem then arises whether to bring the existing roadway up to the de signed grade or to make profile adjustments and comprise between the existing and the design profiles. In order to achieve the latter condition using this program, the engineer needs to give the computer only a minimum amount of information.

Diabetic macular edema : cases and diagnostics

In the new book series 'ESASO Course Series', the essentials of the courses of the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO) are made available to interested ophthalmologists, optometrists, technicians and residents all over the world. In this volume, the seminars on surgical retina presented by renowned experts during ESASO's activities are collected. Many specialists have contributed their knowledge to make this volume a device to give practical support. The topics range from prevention to state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and the latest surgical treatment options for many eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This publication provides the ophthalmologist with the main aspects of surgical retina in a simple and practical update.

Report on selected computer systems operated by the State of Iowa for the period July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2014

Report on selected computer systems operated by the State of Iowa for the period July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2014

Education on Urban Corridor Issues Through Computer Animation, TR-419, 2003

This project was undertaken in coordination with the Environmental Assessment process on the Mt. Vernon Road Improvements project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The goal of the research was to determine the cost effectiveness of combined photo-imaging and computer animation as a presentation tool describing public road improvements. The Public Hearing, in combination with the involvement of a Citizen's Resource Group, afforded an opportunity to have an evaluation of the processes by interested citizens who were not familiar with engineering drawings or the construction industry. After the initial viewing of a draft version of the video, the Resource Group made recommendations to the staff developing the video. Discussion of these recommendations led to the development of an animated composite section that showed a combination of situations typically encountered throughout the project corridor, as well as critical considerations. The composite section did not show specific locations and therefore, individuals were not distracted by looking for the details pertaining to their properties. Concentration on the concepts involved rather than specifics provided the opportunity for a more thorough understanding by the citizens. The development of the composite concept was the primary discovery of the research.

Positron Emission Tomography and Computer Tomography (PET/CT) in Prostate, Bladder, and Testicular Cancers.

Positron emission computed tomography (PET) is a functional, noninvasive method for imaging regional metabolic processes that is nowadays most often combined to morphological imaging with computed tomography (CT). Its use is based on the well-founded assumption that metabolic changes occur earlier in tumors than morphologic changes, adding another dimension to imaging. This article will review the established and investigational indications and radiopharmaceuticals for PET/CT imaging for prostate cancer, bladder cancer and testicular cancer, before presenting upcoming applications in radiation therapy.

A biophysical model of atrial fibrillation ablation: what can a surgeon learn from a computer model?

AIMS: Surgical ablation procedures for treating atrial fibrillation have been shown to be highly successful. However, the ideal ablation pattern still remains to be determined. This article reports on a systematic study of the effectiveness of the performance of different ablation line patterns. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study of ablation line patterns was performed in a biophysical model of human atria by combining basic lines: (i) in the right atrium: isthmus line, line between vena cavae and appendage line and (ii) in the left atrium: several versions of pulmonary vein isolation, connection of pulmonary veins, isthmus line, and appendage line. Success rates and the presence of residual atrial flutter were documented. Basic patterns yielded conversion rates of only 10-25 and 10-55% in the right and the left atria, respectively. The best result for pulmonary vein isolation was obtained when a single closed line encompassed all veins (55%). Combination of lines in the right/left atrium only led to a success rate of 65/80%. Higher rates, up to 90-100%, could be obtained if right and left lines were combined. The inclusion of a left isthmus line was found to be essential for avoiding uncommon left atrial flutter. CONCLUSION: Some patterns studied achieved a high conversion rate, although using a smaller number of lines than those of the Maze III procedure. The biophysical atrial model is shown to be effective in the search for promising alternative ablation strategies.