Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Weather Information Priorities For Commercial Pilots And Dispatchers, Russell J. Branaghan, Roger W. Schvaneveldt

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

The Next Generation Air Traffic System’s (NextGen) goal is to increase capacity three-fold (JPDO, 2007). Given that approximately 70 percent of system delays can be attributed to weather, planning is focused on reducing weather-related delays by at least fifty percent (Leader, 2007). NextGen plans to integrate information from multiple sources, providing the same information to pilots, controllers, and dispatchers. However, different stakeholders may require different information at different times. This research identifies information needed by dispatchers and commercial pilots for pre-flight and in-flight planning and decision-making.

The Role Of Expertise In Vfr Flight Decisions With Inconsisent Weather Information, Jordan Petry, Landon Thomas, Heewoong Park, Wai-Tat Fu

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

To study the role of expertise in weather-related VFR flight decisions we conducted two experiments in which experts and novices were presented with inconsistent weather information. In the first experiment 51 pilots performed a series of pre-flight planning decision tasks. We found that experts were better at selecting reliable information than novices. In the second experiment, 24 pilots made a VFR flight using the XPlane flight simulator. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions with a different combination of good and bad flying (rendered in XPlane) and ATIS weather. We found that in poor weather conditions novices flew …

Can Video Games Be Valid Predictors Of Success For The Private Pilot Phase Check?, Laura E. Bourgiognon, Donald A. Petrin, Brian G. Dillman, John P. Young

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

A study was conducted at a Midwestern university to determine whether or not video game performance can be an accurate predictor of success on the private pilot phase check. In this study, there were thirty-three potential participants enrolled in AT 145, the private pilot flight training course. Twenty-three (70%) students agreed to participate. These volunteer participants were asked to complete a video game (Super Mario Galaxy). The final score and time to finish a pre-selected level were recorded. These scores were correlated with the aggregated scores that the participants earned during their private pilot phase checks. Although a survey of …

A Factor-Analytical Perspective Of Sopite Syndrome Assessment In Aerospace Systems, J. Christopher Brill, Brittany N. Neilson

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Aerospace systems require pilots to perform complex tasks under demanding conditions. There is an unrecognized component, which has deleterious effects on human performance, called sopite syndrome. Sopite syndrome is characterized by intense drowsiness despite receiving an adequate night’s rest, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation. Currently, sopite syndrome is measured exclusively by a 39-item self-report questionnaire called the Mild Motion Questionnaire (MMQ). The purpose of the present research is to develop a shortform for the MMQ that can be used for quick assessments in applied settings, while maintaining internal consistency. Participants (N = 422) completed the MMQ by indicating how …

Evaluation Of A Separation Assistance Display In A Multi-Actor Experiment, J. Ellerbroek, M. M. Van Paassen

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

In the past, several display concepts have been developed, as aids in the task of airborne self-separation. In several of these display concepts, the interface helps the pilot solve the conflict, as opposed to automation providing an explicit resolution. Especially in this case of manual problem solving, (implicit) interaction between the actors in a conflict becomes an important factor. An experiment was conducted to evaluate an EID-inspired, constraint-based separation assistance display, where all aircraft in each conflict were controlled by pilot subjects. In the experiment, several conflict scenario’s have been evaluated, where coordination between pilots could either follow implicitely from …

The Sart Task Does Not Promote Mindlessness In Vigilance Performance, Michael Dillard, David B. Boles, Matthew Funke, Gregory Funke, Victor Finomore, Allen Dukes, Joel S. Warm, Benjamin A. Knott, Gerald Matthews, Raja Parasuraman

International Symposium on Aviation Psychology - 2011

Vigilance tasks typically require observers to respond to critical signals on their monitored displays and withhold responding to neutral events. The Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) features the opposite response requirements which supposedly lead it to promote a mindless, non-thoughtful approach to the vigilance task that lacks attentional focus. To test that possibility, this study compared the SART to the standard vigilance task in terms of perceived mental workload – indexed by the Multiple Resource Questionnaire (MRQ) – and eye tracking activity – reflected via the Nearest Neighbor Index (NNI) – in the performance of a simulated air-traffic control …

Epigenetics As An Explanation For Phenotypic Variation In Monozygotic Twins, Marina Pomerantseva

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: Researchers often use twins as natural samples to test hypotheses regarding the contribution of genetic factors to different phenotypes, especially diseases. The classical method is comparing traits in identical, or monozygotic (MZ) twins to those of dizygotic (DZ) twins. This method has had a significant impact on our current understanding of etiologic factors in many diseases which do not follow simple Mendelian law (i.e. complex diseases), including schizophrenia, bipolar disease, and major depression.

Is The Gallbladder Really Unnecessary? An Evaluation Of Gallstone Treatment, Danielle Weinberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: The red numbers on your alarm read two o’clock AM, but you’re wide awake. A dull ache below your ribs has tossed you from the blissful ignorance of sleep into the painful reality of another nocturnal attack. As the pale streaks of daylight appear, you grit your teeth in agony while the ambulance goes over yet another bump in its rush to get you to the emergency room. A blur of white coats, lab tests, and CT scans, and then you’re staring into the bright lights above the operating table as the …

Should Benzodiazepines Be Prescribed To Treat Insomnia And Anxiety Related Disorders?, Judith Nicole Margareten

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt of the introduction of this article: Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed drugs used to treat insomnia and anxiety. They are often found in forms such as Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam). For many, these drugs have proven essential for ensuring a restful night’s sleep, but for others they are the cause of sleepless ones. Negative effects of benzodiazepines such as addiction, dependence, and impaired cognition plague many patients. While doctors are prone to prescribe these medications readily due to their high level of effectiveness, this practice can pose a great risk to certain populations.

The Role Of Ghrelin And Leptin In Obesity: Is Exogenous Administration Of These Hormones A Possible Drug Therapy?, Peri Eckstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Ghrelin and leptin are two hormones that have been recognized to have a major influence on energy balance. Leptin is a mediator of long term regulation of energy balance, suppressing food intake and thereby inducing weight loss. Ghrelin, on the other hand, is a fast acting hormone, playing a role in meal initiation. As a growing number of people suffer from obesity, understanding the mechanisms by which various hormones and neurotransmitters influence energy balance has been a subject of intense research. This paper provides background on leptin and ghrelin hormones, their role in food intake and body weight in humans, …

Effects Of Calcium Supplementation On Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Women, Raizel Robinson

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction of the article: In the United States, 53% of the population use dietary supplements. Of the people using supplements, 43% use calcium and 37% use vitamin D. However, 63% of women older than 60 years of age reported using dietary supplements (Park et al., 2009). Calcium supplementation, without co-administered vitamin D, increases the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascularrelated diseases among postmenopausal women. On the contrary, calcium supplementation with accompanied vitamin D may not produce similar effects.

Cardiac Jelly And Its Roles In Heart Development, Sara Zucker

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction to this article: The complexity of the developing and functioning heart has always intrigued scientists. One of the many ambiguous areas in the understanding of cardiac development is the role of a gelatinous substance commonly referred to as cardiac jelly, (Davis, 1924) and more recently the myocardial basement membrane (Little and Rongish, 1995). Researchers have been studying this material to determine its roles. Their studies led them to believe that this jelly-like substance may be involved in vital embryological roles including the actual morphogenesis of the heart, such as heart valve formation and pumping. When …

A Proposed Mechanism For Drug-Induced Nightmares, Isaac Brezner

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is the introduction of this article: The fields of neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology are known to be highly connected, despite our severe lack of knowledge in these fields. One of the many overlaps between the two fields is sleep, which itself entails many mechanisms and events which are, as of yet, unexplainable. From the perspective of either field, one of the most mysterious events occurring during sleep is dreaming. From the cause of dreams to their content, little is known about them or their more sinister subclassification: nightmares. In this field of disturbed dreaming, neuropharmacology makes a large intrusion …

The Effect Of Melatonin On The Ovaries, Jaclyn Starr

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Melatonin is a very small molecule whose effects can be both detrimental and beneficial to the ovaries depending on its concentration. Too much of anything is usually not good and so is the case with melatonin. Very high doses can be damaging, but in the right amount melatonin may be able to combat various diseases and increase the chances for fertility in women.

Is There A Genetic Basis For Alcoholism?, David Aharonoff

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

This paper reviews studies done on the correlation of alcoholism and genetics. Evidence of this correlation can be seen in high heritability of alcoholism. The main methods used in determining genetic risk factors are candidate gene studies and genome wide studies. This review focuses mainly on findings related to specific neurotransmitters and receptors in relation to alcoholism. Evidence has shown that specific neurotransmitters and receptors can play a role in increased susceptibility to alcoholism. The neurotransmitters and receptors discussed in this paper include GABA, glutamate, and endogenous opioids. There is also a discussion focused on mutations of specific enzymes (ADH …

Health Risks Of Very Low Cholesterol, Menachem Nagar

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Cholesterol is a molecule central to all human physiological processes at systemic as well as cellular levels. Cholesterol, combined with Apolipoprotein B as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been the focus of scientific research because the molecule has been proven to play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, a disease of pandemic proportions. Considerable scientific and medical attention has been devoted to identifying the role and management of high levels of total serum cholesterol in order to address this global health burden, creating large scale awareness regarding lowering cholesterol concentration in circulation. However, the same molecule, combined into various …

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An Overview, Mayer Eckstein

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt of the introduction of this article: There are many well-known disorders associated with the digestion process, the most common of which is gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly known as GERD. There are six major factors that are the primary cause for GERD: impaired esophageal motility, defective mucosal defense, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction, reflux of gastric contents, delayed gastric emptying, and hiatal hernia (DeVault and Castell 1999). Impaired esophageal motility occurs when the esophagus has trouble moving the food down and normal peristalsis does not occur. Defective mucosal defense can cause irritation to the esophagus, …

Alteplase: The Clot Buster, Mayer Goldberg

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

The following is an excerpt from the introduction of this article: The human body is defined by many complex and inconsistent characteristics. For example, the body forms blood clots in traumatic events, but blood clots are likewise associated with hazardous or fatal conditions. Platelets are small cells, derived from the precursor megakaryocytes, which are responsible for blood clotting to prevent bleeding from a ruptured blood vessel. Platelets fasten to each other and release a coagulation factor that solidifies around the ruptured area to prevent blood loss. A subordinate quantity of platelets can result in excessive bleeding. However, high platelet numbers …

In Memoriam: James A. Inciardi, Professor Of Sociology & Criminal Justice And Director Of The Center For Drug & Alcohol Studies At The University Of Delaware, Wendee Wechsberg, Duane C. Mcbride, Hilary Surratt

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Clinical And Functional Assessment Following Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation To The Knee: The Role Of Patient Reported Outcomes, Performance Based Assessment, And Response Shift, Jennifer Sebert Howard

Theses and Dissertations--Rehabilitation Sciences

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a cell based therapy for the treatment of articular cartilage defects. Numerous studies have reported outcomes following ACI using a variety of patient reported outcomes (PROs), but no clear recommendations exist regarding which PRO is the most responsive to changes following ACI. Few studies have documented changes in performance based assessments (PBAs) following ACI. Response shift theory proposes that residual changes in self-report measures occur over time. Failing to account for response shift may result in over or under reporting of outcomes from which clinical decisions are made. The purposes of this dissertation were 1) …

Acts-Hf: Attention, Cognition And Self-Care In Heart Failure, Catherine M. Murks

Dissertations

Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) are required to participate in self-care activities. This activities include taking prescribed medications, monitoring for symptoms, intervening appropriately and evaluating the response to the treatment. Cognitive impairment occurs relatively frequently in this population. Few studies have attempted to describe the nature of the relationship between self-care and cognitive impairment in this population.

Purpose:/ This study investigated the relationship between cognitive function and self-care ability in patients with HF. It also investigated the relationship between both self-care and cognitive function and subsequent hospital admission.

Methods:/ Participants were recruited from outpatient areas at two cardiology groups …

Estimation Of Effective Lens Position Using A Method Independent Of Preoperative Keratometry Readings, I. Dooley, S. Charalampidou, John Nolan, James Loughman, Molly Breen, Stephen Beatty

Articles

Purpose

To evaluate the validity of a keratometry (K)-independent method of estimating effective lens position (ELP) before phacoemulsification cataract surgery.

Setting

Institute of Eye Surgery, Whitfield Clinic, Waterford, Ireland.

Design

Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology.

Methods

The anterior chamber diameter and corneal height in eyes scheduled for cataract surgery were measured with a rotating Scheimpflug camera. Corneal height and anterior chamber diameter were used to estimate the ELP in a K-independent method (using the SRK/T [ELP_rs] and Holladay 1 [ELP_rh] formulas).

Results

The mean ELP was calculated using the traditional (mean ELP_s 5.59 mm …

Supplementation With All Three Macular Carotenoids: Response, Stability, And Safety, Eithne Connolly, Stephen Beatty, James Loughman, Alan Howard, Michael Louw, John Nolan

Articles

Purpose This study was designed to investigate serum and macular response, and safety, to supplementation with meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), the carotenoids that constitute macular pigment (MP).

Materials and Methods 44 healthy subjects were recruited into this randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Subjects consumed one tablet per day containing 10.6 mg MZ, 5.9 mg L and 1.2 mg Z (Intervention, I group) or placebo (P group). The spatial profile of MP optical density (MPOD) was measured using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP), and serum concentrations of L and Z were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subjects …

An Evaluation Of A Novel Instrument For Measuring Macular Pigment Optical Density: The Mps 9000, James Loughman, Grainne Scanlon, John Nolan, Veronica O'Dwyer, Stephen Beatty

Articles

Purpose:  Of the antioxidants found in the human retina, only the macular carotenoid quantities can be estimated noninvasively (albeit in a collective fashion), thus facilitating study of their role in that tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate concordance between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values recorded on a commercially available instrument, the MPS 9000, with those of an already validated heterochromatic flicker photometry instrument. Also, we assessed and compared test–retest variability for each instrument.

Methods:  Macular pigment optical density at 0.5 retinal eccentricity was measured using two different heterochromatic flicker photometers, the MPS 9000 and the Macular …

Prognostic Indicators And Outcome Measures For Surgical Removal Of Symptomatic Nonadvanced Cataract, Sofia Charalampidou, James Loughman, John Nolan, Jim Stack, Lorraine Cassidy, Konrad Pesudovs, Stephen Beatty

Articles

Objectives:

To report changes in perceived visual functioning after surgery for symptomatic cataract with pre-operative corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA] of 0.4 logMar or better (Snellen equivalent, 20/50) and to investigate the relationship between any observed changes and preoperative physical characteristics and psycho-physical consquences of the lens opacity and any changes in psychophysical findings after the procedure.

One Student One Family And The Mozambique Eyecare Project, Stephen Thompson, Aoife Phelan, Tatiana Santana, Elizebete Catarino, Vivien Ocampo, Cesar Faria, James Loughman

Articles

Background - The Mozambique Eyecare Programme is funded by Irish Aid and designed to address the need for optometric education in Lusophone Africa. It is a multi-partner collaboration between Universidade Lúrio, Mozambique, Technological University Dublin, Ireland, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland, and The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE) an international Non Government Organisation. A key output from the programme is the development of an optometry school based at Universidade Lúrio, the first of its kind in Mozambique. The aim is to address unmet eye care needs through human resource development.

All students enrolled at Universidade Lúrio, including the optometry …

Macular Pigment: Its Associations With Color Discrimination And Matching, Peter Davison, Akkali Makunda, James Loughman, Grainne Scanlon, John Nolan, Stephen Beatty

Articles

Purpose

Macular pigment (MP) acts as a pre-receptoral filter which selectively absorbs short wavelengths. It has the potential to alter color vision but the literature is conflicting on whether it does and, if so, to what extent, possibly reflecting differences between color mechanisms and color tests. This study was designed to identify and investigate relationships, if any, between macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and color sensitivity using a battery of techniques to quantify the color vision of color-normal observers.

Methods

Color vision was assessed with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue test (FM100), Moreland match on the HMC anomaloscope, and a customized SWAP …

Soft Contact Lens-Induced Corneal Warpage, Aoife Lloyd Mckernan, Luisa Simo Mannion, Linda Moore

Articles

No abstract provided.

Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Guide To Therapeutic And Pharmacological Treatments, Rebecca Mcomie

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is becoming a more common diagnosis with young children and babies (PAGER, 2010). GERD is often misdiagnosed and there is no single test available to determine its presence (Eisen, 2001). The term reflux can be confusing and used to mean different things to different people. Often reflux is linked to colic in babies or may be considered a "normal" part of being a baby. But when a sequalae of symptoms arise in an infant, gastroesophageal reflux becomes a serious issue that needs to be addressed through a variety of interventions and sources (Sondheimer, 2006 ).

In …

Enabling Personal Occupation Through Sensory Interventions, Caroline Mattson, Gretchen Prohofsky

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Individuals with developmental disabilities and/or mental illness are predisposed to having a co-occurring sensory processing disorder. Many adults and children with sensory processing disorder have never been assessed or treated. Consequences of untreated sensory processing disorder include decreased ability to engage in meaningful occupations or healthy relationships, leading to lowered self-esteem and perception regarding quality of life. A literature review defines sensory processing, sensory processing disorders, consequences of sensory processing disorder dysfunction, sensory processing disorder co-morbidity, sensory processing disorders in individuals with mental illness and/or developmental disabilities, interventions for sensory processing disorders, the role of occupational therapy, deficiencies in knowledge, …