Sensitivity of the lane change test as a measure of in-vehicle system demand

The Lane Change Test (LCT) is one of the growing number of methods developed to quantify driving performance degradation brought about by the use of in-vehicle devices. Beyond its validity and reliability, for such a test to be of practical use, it must also be sensitive to the varied demands of individual tasks. The current study evaluated the ability of several recent LCT lateral control and event detection parameters to discriminate between visual-manual and cognitive surrogate In-Vehicle Information System tasks with different levels of demand. Twenty-seven participants (mean age 24.4 years) completed a PC version of the LCT while performing visual search and math problem solving tasks. A number of the lateral control metrics were found to be sensitive to task differences, but the event detection metrics were less able to discriminate between tasks. The mean deviation and lane excursion measures were able to distinguish between the visual and cognitive tasks, but were less sensitive to the different levels of task demand. The other LCT metrics examined were less sensitive to task differences. A major factor influencing the sensitivity of at least some of the LCT metrics could be the type of lane change instructions given to participants. The provision of clear and explicit lane change instructions and further refinement of its metrics will be essential for increasing the utility of the LCT as an evaluation tool.

Infrared Spectra of Dimethylquinolines in the Gas Phase: Experiment and Theory

Infrared spectra of atmospherically important dimethylquinolines (DMQs), namely 2,4-DMQ, 2,6-DMQ, 2,7-DMQ, and 2,8-DMQ in the gas phase at 80 degrees C were recorded using a long variable path-length cell. DFT calculations were carried out to assign the bands in the experimentally observed spectra at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. The spectral assignments particularly for the C-H stretching modes could not be made unambiguously using calculated anharmonic or scaled harmonic frequencies. To resolve this problem, a scaled force field method of assignment was used. Assignment of fundamental modes was confirmed by potential energy distributions (PEDs) of the normal modes derived by the scaled force fields using a modified version of the UMAT program in the QCPE package. We demonstrate that for large molecules such as the DMQs, the scaling of the force field is more effective in arriving at the correct assignment of the fundamentals for a quantitative vibrational analysis. An error analysis of the mean deviation of the calculated harmonic, anharmonic, and force field fitted frequencies from the observed frequency provides strong evidence for the correctness of the assignment.

Infrared Spectra of Dimethylphenanthrenes in the Gas phase

Infrared spectra of atmospherically and astronomically important dimethylphenanthrenes (DMPs), namely 1,9-DMP, 2,4-DMP, and 3,9-DMP, were recorded in the gas phase from 400 to 4000 cm(-1) with a resolution of 0.5 cm(-1) at 110 degrees C using a 7.2 m gas cell. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G** level were carried out to get the harmonic and anharmonic frequencies and their corresponding intensities for the assignment of the observed bands. However, spectral assignments could not be made unambiguously using anharmonic or selectively scaled harmonic frequencies. Therefore, the scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field analysis method was adopted to achieve more accurate assignments. In this method force fields instead of frequencies were scaled. The Cartesian force field matrix obtained from the Gaussian calculations was converted to a nonredundant local coordinate force field matrix and then the force fields were scaled to match experimental frequencies in a consistent manner using a modified version of the UMAT program of the QCPE package. Potential energy distributions (PEDs) of the normal modes in terms of nonredundant local coordinates obtained from these calculations helped us derive the nature of the vibration at each frequency. The intensity of observed bands in the experimental spectra was calculated using estimated vapor pressures of the DMPs. An error analysis of the mean deviation between experimental and calculated intensities reveal that the observed methyl C-H stretching intensity deviates more compared to the aromatic C-H and non C-H stretching bands.

基于低速面阵CCD的正弦相位调制干涉测量

正弦相位调制(SPM)干涉测量技术用于表面形貌测量时, 需要帧速高于300 frame/s的图像传感器, 同时要求调制信号频率与图像传感器帧速成确定的整数倍关系。提出一种基于低速CCD(30 frame/s)的帧速可调的高速图像传感技术, 通过控制每帧像素总数提高CCD帧速, 研制出一种高帧速图像传感器, 帧速可达300～1600 frame/s, 且每帧大小连续可调。将该CCD传感器用于正弦相位调制干涉泰曼-格林干涉仪, 测量镀膜玻璃板表面形貌, 当CCD图像传感器的帧速与调制信号频率呈16, 8, 4

Measurement of moisture in dry cured fish by infrared irradiation

Heating conditions have been standardised for measurement of moisture in dry cured fish using infrared irradiation source of 150w. Results obtained are comparable to those obtained from standard air oven method (drying to a constant weight at l02°c), the mean deviation being less than two units. The method works equally well for fresh fish muscle.

潮波模型的优化开边界方法研究

数值模式是潮波研究的一种有利手段，但在研究中会面临各种具体问题，包括开边界条件的确定、底摩擦系数和耗散系数的选取等。数据同化是解决这些问题的一种途径，即利用有限数量的潮汐观测资料对潮波进行最优估计，其根本目的是迫使模型预报值逼近观测值，使模式不要偏离实际情况太远。本文采用了一种优化开边界方法，沿着数值模型的开边界优化潮汐水位信息，目的是设法使数值解在动力约束的意义下接近观测值，获得研究区域的潮汐结果。边界值由指定优化问题的解来定，以提高模拟区域的潮汐精度，最优问题的解是基于通过开边界的能量通量的变化，处理开边界处的观测值与计算值之差的最小化。这里提供了辐射型边界条件，由Reid 和Bodine（本文简称为RB）推导，我们将采用的优化后的RB方法（称为ORB）是优化开边界的特殊情况。 本文对理想矩形海域（ E- E， N- N， 分辨率 ）进行了潮波模拟，有东部开边界，模式采用ECOM3D模式。对数据结果的误差分析采用，振幅平均偏差，平均绝对偏差，平均相对误差和均方根偏差四个值来衡量模拟结果的好坏程度。 需要优化入开边界的解析潮汐值本文采用的解析解由方国洪《海湾的潮汐与潮流》（1966年）方法提供，为验证本文所做的解析解和方文的一致，本文做了其第一个例子的关键值a,b,z,结果与其结果吻合的相当好。但略有差别，分析的可能原因是两法在具体迭代方案和计算机保留小数上有区别造成微小误差。另外，我们取m=20，得到更精确的数值，我们发现对前十项的各项参数值，取m=10,m=20各项参数略有改进。当然我们可以获得m更大的各项参数值。 同时为了检验解析解的正确性讨论m和l变化对边界值的影响，结果指出，增大m，m=20时，u的模最大在本身u1或u2的模的6%；m=100时，u的模最大在本身u1或u2的模的4%；m再增大，m=1000时，u的模最大在本身u1或u2的模的4%，改变不大。当l<1时， =0处u的模最大为2。当l=1时， =0处u的模最大为0.1，当l>1时，l越大，u的模越小，当l=10时，u的模最大为0.001，可以认为为0。 为检验该优化方法的应用情况，我们对理想矩形区域进行模拟，首先将本文所采用的优化开边界方法应用于30m的情况，在开边界优化入开边界得出模式解，所得模拟结果与解析解吻合得相当好，该模式解和解析解在整个区域上，振幅平均绝对偏差为9.9cm,相位平均绝对偏差只有4.0 ，均方根偏差只有13.3cm，说明该优化方法在潮波模型中有效。 为验证该优化方法在各种条件下的模拟结果情况，在下面我们做了三类敏感性试验： 第一类试验：为证明在开边界上使用优化方法相比于没有采用优化方法的模拟解更接近于解析解，我们来比较ORB条件与RB条件的优劣，我们模拟用了两个不同的摩擦系数，k分别为：0,0.00006。 结果显示，针对不同摩擦系数，显示在开边界上使用ORB条件的解比使用RB条件的解无论是振幅还是相位都有显著改善，两个试验均方根偏差优化程度分别为84.3%，83.7%。说明在开边界上使用优化方法相比于没有采用优化方法的模拟解更接近于解析解，大大提高了模拟水平。上述的两个试验得出， k=0.00006优化结果比k=0的好。 第二类试验，使用ORB条件确定优化开边界情况下，在东西边界加入出入流的情况，流考虑线性和非线性情况，结果显示，加入流的情况，潮汐模拟的效果降低不少，流为1Sv的情况要比5Sv的情况均方根偏差相差20cm,而不加流的情况只有0.2cm。线性流和非线性流情况两者模式解相差不大，振幅，相位各项指数都相近, 说明流的线性与否对结果影响不大。 第三类试验，不仅在开边界使用ORB条件，在模式内部也使用ORB条件，比较了内部优化和不优化情况与解析解的偏差。结果显示，选用不同的k,振幅都能得到很好的模拟，而相位相对较差。另外，在内部优化的情况下，考虑不同的k的模式解， 我们选用了与解析解相近的6个模式解的k,结果显示，不同的k,振幅都能得到很好的模拟，而相位较差。 总之，在开边界使用ORB条件比使用RB条件好，振幅相位都有大幅度改进，在加入出入流情况下，流的大小对模拟结果有影响，但线形流和非线性流差别不大。内部优化的结果显示，模式采用不同的k都能很好模拟解析解的振幅。

Quantitative estimation of retinal nerve fiber layer height in glaucoma and the relationship with optic nerve head topography and visual field

Purpose: The authors estimated the retinal nerve fiber layer height (RNFLH) measurements in patients with glaucoma compared with those in age-matched healthy subjects as obtained by the laser scanning tomography and assessed the relationship between RNFLH measurements and optic and visual field status. Methods: Parameters of optic nerve head topography and RNFLH were evaluated in 125 eyes of 21 healthy subjects and 104 patients with glaucoma using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph ([HRT] Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) for the entire disc area and for the superior 70°(50°temporal and 20°nasal to the vertical midline) and inferior 70°sectors of the optic disc. The mean deviation of the visual field, as determined by the Humphrey program 24-2 (Humphrey Instruments, Inc., San Leonardo, CA, U.S.A) was calculated in the entire field and in the superior and inferior Bjerrum area. Result: Retinal nerve fiber layer height parameters (mean RNFLH and RNFL cross-sectional area) were decreased significantly in patients with glaucoma compared with healthy individuals. Retinal nerve fiber layer height parameters was correlated strongly with rim volume, rim area, and cup/disc area ratio. Of the various topography measures, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters and cup/disc area ratio showed the strongest correlation with visual field mean deviation in patients with glaucoma. Conclusion: Retinal nerve fiber layer height measures were reduced substantially in patients with glaucoma compared with age-matched healthy subjects. Retinal nerve fiber layer height was correlated strongly with topographic optic disc parameters and visual field changes in patients with glaucoma.

Effect of cataract extraction on SITA perimetry in patients with glaucoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cataract extraction on Swedish Interactive Thresholding Algorithm (SITA) perimetry in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective noncomparative interventional study. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with open-angle glaucoma who had cataract extraction alone or combined with trabeculectomy were included. All patients had SITA-standard 24-2 visual fields before and after the surgery. The main outcome measures were changes in mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD). Additionally, changes in best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and number of glaucoma medications were also studied. RESULTS: Visual field tests were performed 3.9±4.4 months before surgery and 4.1±2.8 months after surgery. Mean visual acuity improved after the surgery, from 0.41±0.21 to 0.88±0.32 (P

Effect of cataract extraction on frequency doubling technology perimetry in patients with glaucoma

Aim: To evaluate the effect of cataract surgery on frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry in patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. Methods: In this consecutive prospective cohort study 27 patients with open angle glaucoma scheduled for cataract extraction alone or combined with trabeculectomy were enrolled. All patients underwent FDT threshold C-20 visual fields within 3 months before and 3 months after surgery. Changes in mean deviation (MD) and pattern standard deviation (PSD) were evaluated. Additionally, changes in best corrected logMAR visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of glaucoma medications were also studied. Results: 22 patients completed the study. VA improved after surgery, from 0.47 (SD 0.19) to 0.12 (0.17) (p

The effect of socio-economic deprivation on severity of glaucoma at presentation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of socio-economic factors on severity of glaucoma at presentation

METHODS: All newly diagnosed glaucoma patients at the University Hospitals-NHS, Aberdeen and South Glasgow University Hospitals-NHS, in 2006, were included. Glaucoma was severe at presentation if there was a repeatable visual-field loss with a mean deviation index greater than 12 dB in the Humphreys visual fields test or an absolute paracentral scotoma within the central 5 degrees of the visual fields. Home address was used to determine the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) rank. The SIMD rank, demographics and severity of glaucoma at presentation were investigated using general linear modelling.

RESULTS: There were 48 patients with severe glaucoma and 74 patients with non-severe glaucoma. In four, the severity could not be determined. Severity of glaucoma at presentation was significantly associated with SIMD rank, being most severe in patients from areas with the lowest ranks (p = 0.026). Age was a significant factor (p = 0.024), with severe glaucoma being more common in elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Age and socio-economic deprivation were associated with severity of glaucoma at presentation, with patients from areas of higher socio-economic deprivation presenting with more advanced glaucoma.

Effect of cataract extraction on the Glaucoma Progression Index (GPI) in glaucoma patients

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of cataract extraction on the glaucoma progression index (GPI) in glaucoma patients with coexisting cataract.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective noncomparative study. Consecutive eligible patients with glaucoma who underwent phacoemulsification alone or in combination with augmented trabeculectomy were included. All patients had Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm-standard 24-2 visual fields within 10 months of surgery. Exclusion criteria included other ocular morbidity, intraoperative complications, and perimetric reliability indices greater than 33%. Comparison was made between the immediate visual fields before and after surgery. The main outcome measure was the change in GPI. Changes in the pattern standard deviation (PSD) and mean deviation (MD) were also assessed. Comparison of means was performed with the paired t test.

RESULTS: Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients (all Whites) were analyzed. The mean age at surgery was 77.0+/-8.7 years. Visual field tests were performed 3.3+/-3.0 months SD before surgery and 5.4+/-2.6 months after surgery. There was a statistically significant increase in the GPI after cataract surgery (from 71.5+/-18.5% to 74.6+/-17.1%; P=0.02). The improvement in MD was also statistically significant (from -11.8+/-5.3 to -10.2+/-5.3 dB; P <0.01), but the change in PSD did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Uncomplicated cataract extraction resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the 24-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm-standard GPI and MD, but not in PSD. Both the MD and the GPI may be influenced by lens opacities, which could make detection of glaucoma visual field progression more difficult for clinicians in glaucoma patients with concurrent cataract.

Comparison of two fast strategies, SITA fast and TOP, for the assessment of visual fields in glaucoma patients

Purpose: To compare two fast threshold strategies of visual field assessment; SITA Fast (HSF) and Tendency Orientated Perimetry (TOP), in detecting visual field loss in patients with glaucoma. Methods: Seventy-six glaucoma, ocular hypertensive and normal patients had HSF and TOP performed in random order. Quantitative comparisons for the global visual field indices - mean deviation and defect (MD) for HSF and TOP, and pattern standard deviation (PSD) for HSF and loss variance (LV) for TOP - were made using correlation coefficients. Humphrey global parameters were converted to Octopus equivalents, and method comparison analysis was used to determine agreement between the two strategies. Test duration times were compared using t-test. Sensitivity and specificity for these two algorithms were determined according to predetermined criteria. Results: High correlation coefficient values were obtained for MD measurements between HSF and TOP (r=-0.89, P

Consensus on Outcome Measures for Glaucoma Effectiveness Trials: Results From a Delphi and Nominal Group Technique Approaches

PURPOSE: Comparing the relative effectiveness of interventions across glaucoma trials can be problematic due to differences in definitions of outcomes. We sought to identify a key set of clinical outcomes and reach consensus on how best to measure them from the perspective of glaucoma experts.

METHODS: A 2-round electronic Delphi survey was conducted. Round 1 involved 25 items identified from a systematic review. Round 2 was developed based on information gathered in round 1. A 10-point Likert scale was used to quantify importance and consensus of outcomes (7 outcomes) and ways of measuring them (44 measures). Experts were identified through 2 glaucoma societies membership-the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society and the European Glaucoma Society. A Nominal Group Technique (NGT) followed the Delphi process. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 65 participants completed round 1 out of 320; of whom 56 completed round 2 (86%). Agreement on the importance of outcomes was reached on 48/51 items (94%). Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual field (VF), safety, and anatomic outcomes were classified as highly important. Regarding methods of measurement of IOP, "mean follow-up IOP" using Goldmann applanation tonometry achieved the highest importance, whereas for evaluating VFs "global index mean deviation/defect (MD)" and "rate of VF progression" were the most important. Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) was identified as highly important. The NGT results reached consensus on "change of IOP (mean of 3 consecutive measurements taken at fixed time of day) from baseline," change of VF-MD values (3 reliable VFs at baseline and follow-up visit) from baseline, and change of RNFL thickness (2 good quality OCT images) from baseline.

CONCLUSIONS: Consensus was reached among glaucoma experts on how best to measure IOP, VF, and anatomic outcomes in glaucoma randomized controlled trials.

Test-retest variability in structural and functional parameters of glaucoma damage in the glaucoma imaging longitudinal study.

PURPOSE:

To determine the test-retest variability in perimetric, optic disc, and macular thickness parameters in a cohort of treated patients with established glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In this cohort study, the authors analyzed the imaging studies and visual field tests at the baseline and 6-month visits of 162 eyes of 162 participant in the Glaucoma Imaging Longitudinal Study (GILS). They assessed the difference, expressed as the standard error of measurement, of Humphrey field analyzer II (HFA) Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm fast, Heidelberg retinal tomograph (HRT) II, and retinal thickness analyzer (RTA) parameters between the two visits and assumed that this difference was due to measurement variability, not pathologic change. A statistically significant change was defined as twice the standard error of measurement.

RESULTS:

In this cohort of treated glaucoma patients, it was found that statistically significant changes were 3.2 dB for mean deviation (MD), 2.2 for pattern standard deviation (PSD), 0.12 for cup shape measure, 0.26 mm for rim area, and 32.8 microm and 31.8 microm for superior and inferior macular thickness, respectively. On the basis of these values, it was estimated that the number of potential progression events detectable in this cohort by the parameters of MD, PSD, cup shape measure, rim area, superior macular thickness, and inferior macular thickness was 7.5, 6.0, 2.3, 5.7, 3.1, and 3.4, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The variability of the measurements of MD, PSD, and rim area, relative to the range of possible values, is less than the variability of cup shape measure or macular thickness measurements. Therefore, the former measurements may be more useful global measurements for assessing progressive glaucoma damage.

Music therapy for end-of-life care: an updated systematic review

Background: Music therapy during palliative and end-of-life care is well established and positive benefits for patients have been reported.
Aim: Assess the effectiveness of music therapy versus standard care alone or standard care in combination with other therapies for improving psychological, physiological and social outcomes among adult patients in any palliative care setting.
Data sources: In order to update an existing Cochrane systematic review, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov register, and Current Controlled Trials register to identify randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trails published between 2009 and April 2015. Nine electronic music therapy journals were searched from 2009 until April 2015, along with reference lists and contact was made with key experts in music therapy. Only studies published in English were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, assessed relevant studies for eligibility, extracted data and judged risk of bias for included studies. Disagreements were resolved through discussion with a third reviewer. Data were synthesised in Revman using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using l2.
Results: Three studies were included in the review. Findings suggest music therapy may be effective for helping to reduce pain in palliative care patients (standard mean deviation (SMD) = -0.42, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.17, P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Available evidence did not support the use of music therapy to improve overall quality-of-life in palliative care. While this review suggests music therapy may be effective for reducing pain, this is based on studies with a high risk of bias. Further high quality research is required.