Longer Completion Times Research Articles

Top-view characterization of broiler walking ability and leg health using computer vision.

Impaired walking ability and leg health are commonly seen in broilers and can negatively impact their welfare. Commonly, walking ability and leg health are assessed manually, but this is time consuming and can be subjective. Automated approaches for scoring walking ability and leg health at the individual level could therefore have great added value. Here, we studied whether automatically extracted top-view walking features of broilers can be used as a proxy for walking ability and leg health. Top-view videos were collected of unmarked broilers walking through a corridor that was placed inside the home pen. From these videos, four top-view features were derived: 1) lateral body oscillation, calculated as deviations from the movement trajectory of the bird, 2) step count, 3) completion time, and 4) length-width ratio of the virtual bounding box encapsulating the bird while walking as an indicator of wing support. We assessed the relationship of these computer vision-based features with manual gait and leg health scores, including hock burn (HB) and footpad dermatitis (FPD). We observed that birds with worse gait scores (GS) had longer completion times, higher step counts and a trend for higher lateral body oscillation levels in the walkway setup. Unsupervised clustering using the K-means algorithm with these walking features showed potential to distinguish birds with GS3+, although differentiating between GS1 and GS2 proved more challenging. We concluded that the length-width ratio of the bounding box during walking was not a suitable proxy for poor gait. We found no relationship between top-view walking features and mild cases of HB and FPD in broilers. Overall, the results of this study indicate that top-view video recordings can provide insight into birds' walking ability, using features related to movement speed, step count and lateral body oscillation, making automated scoring more feasible on a larger scale in practice. However, these top view features provide little information about mild HB and FPD.

IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DA METODOLOGIA BIM EM ESCRITÓRIO DE PEQUENO PORTE DE ENGENHARIA CIVIL EM JARU/RO

The BIM methodology has been implemented globally in the construction sector, becoming an essential tool for professionals due to its efficiency, quality and savings it provides in the project development and management process. Although its application on the international scene has been occurring for years, Brazil faces some challenges in fully implementing this system, which results in inefficiencies in projects, rework at construction sites, longer completion times and high costs. The use of BIM involves making several project stages compatible, with precise detailing and checking construction interferences, thus facilitating the execution of the work and increasing the client's reliability through efficiency and transparency. Therefore, this work consists of analyzing the BIM implementation process, identifying motivating factors, difficulties and changes in project practices. As a parameter for analyzing the objectives, the methodology was based on a case study together with an engineering office working mainly in public projects. With this, it was observed that understanding BIM and continuous training are crucial for efficiency and competitiveness in the market, highlighting the importance of cultural transformation within companies for the successful adoption of this methodology.

Comparison of four approaches in eliciting health state utilities with SF-6Dv2.

To empirically compare four preference elicitation approaches, the discrete choice experiment with time (DCETTO), the Best-Worst Scaling with time (BWSTTO), DCETTO with BWSTTO (DCEBWS), and the Standard Gamble (SG) method, in valuing health states using the SF-6Dv2. A representative sample of the general population in Quebec, Canada, completed 6 SG tasks or 13 DCEBWS (i.e., 10 DCETTO followed by 3 BWSTTO). Choice tasks were designed with the SF-6Dv2. Several models were used to estimate SG data, and the conditional logit model was used for the DCE or BWS data. The performance of SG models was assessed using prediction accuracy (mean absolute error [MAE]), goodness of fit using Bayesian information criterion (BIC),t-test, Jarque-Bera (JB) test, Ljung-Box (LB) test, the logical consistency of the parameters, and significance levels. Comparison between approaches was conducted using acceptability (self-reported difficulty and quality levels in answering, and completion time), consistency (monotonicity of model coefficients), accuracy (standard errors), dimensions coefficient magnitude, correlation between the value sets estimated, and the range of estimated values. The variance scale factor was computed to assess individuals' consistency in their choices for DCE and BWS approaches. Out of 828 people who completed SG and 1208 for DCEBWS tasks, a total of 724 participants for SG and 1153 for DCE tasks were included for analysis. Although no significant difference was observed in self-reported difficulties and qualities in answers among approaches, the SG had the longest completion time and excluded participants in SG were more prone to report difficulties in answering. The range of standard errors of the SG was the narrowest (0.012 to 0.015), followed by BWSTTO (0.023 to 0.035), DCEBWS (0.028 to 0.050), and DCETTO (0.028 to 0.052). The highest number of insignificant and illogical parameters was for BWSTTO. Pain dimension was the most important across dimensions in all approaches. The correlation between SG and DCEBWS utility values was the strongest (0.928), followed by the SG and BWSTTO values (0.889), and the SG and DCETTO (0.849). The range of utility values generated by SG tended to be shorter (-0.143 to 1) than those generated by the other three methods, whereas BWSTTO (-0.505 to 1) range values were shorter than DCETTO (-1.063 to 1) and DCEBWS (-0.637 to 1). The variance scale factor suggests that respondents had almost similar level of certainty or confidence in both DCE and BWS responses. The SG had the narrowest value set, the lowest completion rates, the longest completion time, the best prediction accuracy, and produced an unexpected sign for one level. The BWSTTO had a narrower value set, lower completion time, higher parameter inconsistency, and higher insignificant levels compared to DCETTO and DCEBWS. The results of DCEBWS were more similar to SG in number of insignificant and illogical parameters, and correlation.

"It's Different for Girls!" The Role of Anxiety, Physiological Arousal, and Subject Preferences in Primary School Children's Math and Mental Rotation Performance.

(1) Background: This study examines the role of subjective anxiety (mathematics and spatial anxiety), along with physiological responses, in mathematics or math and mental rotation performance in 131 German primary school students (65 girls, 66 boys; Mean age = 8.73 years). (2) Method: Students' preference for math vs. German and their subjective anxiety were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Emotional reactivity was measured using the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR). Math performance was evaluated via percentage scored and completion times on number line estimation, word problems, and missing terms tasks. Spatial skills were assessed using a novel mental rotation task (nMRT) incorporating gender-congruent and -neutral stimuli. (3) Results: Girls outperformed boys on percentage scored on the math task but took longer to complete this. No gender differences were found in performance on the nMRT. Girls demonstrated higher math anxiety and were less likely to prefer math over German. Math anxiety predicted math scores and accuracy on the nMRT while gender predicted math performance and mental rotation response time. Subject preference was associated with longer completion times and emotional reactivity with longer response times. Girls' preference for math and lower emotional reactivity was linked to shorter completion times, while lower math anxiety predicted higher scores. In contrast, these factors did not affect boys' math performance. Additionally, subjective anxiety, emotional reactivity, or subject preference did not impact spatial performance for either gender. (4) Conclusions: Supporting mathematical self-efficacy and emotional regulation, especially in girls, is crucial for enhancing STEM outcomes in primary education. Gender-fair assessment in mental rotation reveals equitable spatial performance and reduces the impact of anxiety.

Early prediction of mastery of a computerized functional skills training program in participants with mild cognitive impairment.

Cognition in MCI has responded poorly to pharmacological interventions, leading to use of computerized training. Combining computerized cognitive training (CCT) and functional skills training software (FUNSAT) produced improvements in 6 functional skills in MCI, with effect sizes >0.75. However, 4% of HC and 35% of MCI participants failed to master all 6 tasks. We address early identification of characteristics that identify participants who do not graduate, to improve later interventions. NC participants (n = 72) received FUNSAT and MCI (n = 92) participants received FUNSAT alone or combined FUNSAT and CCT on a fully remote basis. Participants trained twice a week for up to 12 weeks. Participants "graduated" each task when they made one or fewer errors on all 3-6 subtasks per task. Tasks were no longer trained after graduation. Between-group comparisons of graduation status on baseline completion time and errors found that failure to graduate was associated with more baseline errors on all tasks but no longer completion times. A discriminant analysis found that errors on the first task (Ticket purchase) uniquely separated the groups, F = 41.40, p < .001, correctly classifying 94% of graduators. An ROC analysis found an AUC of .83. MOCA scores did not increase classification accuracy. More baseline errors, but not completion times, predicted failure to master all FUNSAT tasks. Accuracy of identification of eventual mastery was exceptional. Detection of risk to fail to master training tasks is possible in the first 15 minutes of the baseline assessment. This information can guide future enhancements of computerized training.

Efektivitas Sistem Informasi Administrasi Kependudukan (Siak) Terpusat Pada Dinas Kependudukan Dan Pencatatan Sipil Lombok Timur

According to Law Number 23 of 2006 which was later revised into Law Number 24 of 2013 concerning Population Administration, the definition of a population administration information system (SIAK) is an information system that utilizes information and communication technology to facilitate the management of population administration information at the Operator level. /Executing Agency as one unit. This research aims to; To find out and describe the effectiveness of the population administration information system centered on the East Lombok Population and Civil Registration Service, this type of research is descriptive qualitative. The informants in this research were 7 people, key informants, main informants and additional informants were 5 people. The data collection techniques used were interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis method uses descriptive analysis. The results of this research are that the effectiveness of SIAK has been optimally implemented in the East Lombok Regency Population and Civil Registration Service, this can be seen from the ease with which employees can carry out their work, such as when making community population administration, they now don't have to wait a long time for completion. You can now wait for the creation of the Adminduk and it will be ready immediately. The existence of SIAK also speeds up services for the community.

LapTouch

Use of virtual reality while seated is common, but studies on seated interaction beyond the use of controllers or hand gestures have been sparse. This work present LapTouch, which makes use of the lap as a touch interface and includes two user studies to inform the design of direct and indirect touch interaction using the lap with visual feedback that guides the user touch, as well as eye-free interaction in which users are not provided with such visual feedback. The first study suggests that direct interaction can provide effective layouts with 95% accuracy with up to a 4×4 layout and a shorter completion time, while indirect interaction can provide effective layouts with up to a 4×5 layout but a longer completion time. Considering user experience, which revealed that 4-row and 5-column layouts are not preferred, it is recommended to use both direct and indirect interaction with a maximum of a 3×4 layout. According to the second study, increasing the eye-free interaction with support vector machine (SVM) allows for a 2×2 layout with a generalized model and 2×2, 2×3 and 3×2 layouts with personalized models.

Preliminary data on micro errors as a sensitive measure of everyday functioning in older adults

AbstractBackgroundMild difficulties with daily tasks are associated with cognitive abilities and future cognitive decline but are difficult to measure objectively. Performance‐based tests with high task demands (e.g., multitasking, prospective memory) have been fruitful in capturing mild functional difficulties, however measuring certain aspects like overt errors or completion time often shows floor effects and thereby fail to discriminate between individuals with subtle functional decline. We propose a different approach that involves coding micro‐error defined as inefficient but not overtly erroneous actions (e.g., mis‐reaching toward the wrong object) during relatively simple, performance‐based tests, such as the Naturalistic Action Test (NAT). We present preliminary findings on the validity of micro‐errors as sensitive measures of cognition in participants with healthy cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild dementia.Method27 older adults (Healthy, MCI, Dementia) completed the NAT, which requires participants to make a breakfast and a lunch using objects presented on a table. Standard cognitive tests (memory, language, etc.) were administered. NAT scores reflecting micro‐errors, total steps accomplished, and completion time were examined across participant groups and included in correlation analyses.ResultWorse performance on the NAT was associated with disease severity (micro errors Mean (SD) ‐ Healthy: M = 3.05 (.79); MCI: M = 8.80 (1.28); Dem: M = 9.33 (4.84); completion time(sec) ‐ Healthy: M = 211.84 (10.70); MCI: M = 352.00 (110.50); Dem: M = 363.00 (36.67); total steps accomplished‐ Healthy: M = 32.79 (0.12); MCI: M = 31.80 (0.73); Dem: M = 30.67 (2.33)). Among those with healthy cognition and MCI, greater micro errors were associated with lower accomplishment scores (r = ‐.422, p = .040) and longer completion times (r = .388, p = .061). Micro‐errors, but not accomplishment scores or completion time, were significantly associated with cognitive tests, who made more micro‐errors obtained a lower overall cognitive composite (r = ‐.434, p = .034) and a lower memory score (r = ‐.438, p = .032).ConclusionSubtle errors and inefficient actions (micro‐errors) during highly familiar everyday tasks are valid indicators of cognitive difficulties in older adults without dementia. Micro‐errors may be more sensitive than time to completion and task accomplishment and may be obtained from 5‐10 minutes of task performance. Micro‐errors have potential to identify risk of decline and as sensitive functional outcomes in clinical trials.

Study on distress of airport pavement foundation and solution applied to Noi Bai international airport

The service quality and life of the runway, taxiway and apron pavement system heavily depends on the condition of its foundation, including base and/or subbase layers and subgrade. In the state of water-saturated condition, the strength of foundation would decline significantly, then inducing the downgrade of overall strength of the pavement. In the long term, the impacts from adverse environmental conditions and aircraft wheel loading will mix-up the materials of foundation layers, leading to the degradation of the original physical and mechanical properties of the original designed material. Furthermore, the accumulation of residual deformation and appearance of voids in the granular material can formulate the large holes beneath cement concrete slab. That, in turn, changes the load bearing model of the slab compared to the original design and causes the structural damage of the slab and threatens flight safety. Due to the complication of pavement foundation, the traditional treatment countermeasures usually need a long time for completion, while the airfield system often requires short and high-quality repair time. Therefore, there should be special solutions to satisfy the practical application. The article analyzes the cause, proposes the solutions for pavement foundation treatment and presents an initial application to Noi Bai International Airport. The findings of this study could be critical and significance basis for both academic and practical applications to maintain the service quality of airport construction infrastructure in Vietnam.

Inhibition skills in children with developmental coordination disorder

ABSTRACT Background Inhibition (Response Inhibition – RI and Interference Control – IC) have been inconsistently examined in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) with response modalities often not considered. Aims To examine RI and IC in children with DCD. Method Twenty-five children 6-10 years with DCD, plus 25 matched typically developing peers completed motor and verbal RI and IC tasks. Results Children with DCD made significantly more errors in the motor and verbal RI tasks, had slower movement time and RT in the motor IC task, and longer completion time in the verbal IC task. Conclusions Children with DCD have RI and IC difficulties in motor and verbal responses.

Performance validity of the Dot Counting Test in a dementia clinic setting

Objective This study examined the utility of a performance validity test (PVT), the Dot Counting Test (DCT), in individuals undergoing neuropsychological evaluations for dementia. We investigated specificity rates of the DCT Effort Index score (E-Score) and various individual DCT scores (based on completion time/errors) to further establish appropriate cutoff scores. Method This cross-sectional study included 56 non-litigating, validly performing older adults with no/minimal, mild, or major cognitive impairment. Cutoffs associated with ≥90% specificity were established for 7 DCT scoring methods across impairment severity subgroups. Results Performance on 5 of 7 DCT scoring methods significantly differed based on impairment severity. Overall, more severely impaired participants had significantly higher E-Scores and longer completion times but demonstrated comparable errors to their less impaired counterparts. Contrary to the previously established E-Score cutoff of ≥17, a cutoff of ≥22 was required to maintain adequate specificity in our total sample, with significantly higher adjustments required in the Mild and Major Neurocognitive Disorder subgroups (≥27 and ≥40, respectively). A cutoff of >3 errors achieved adequate specificity in our sample, suggesting that error scores may produce lower false positive rates than E-Scores and completion time scores, both of which overemphasize speed and could inadvertently penalize more severely impaired individuals. Conclusions In a dementia clinic setting, error scores on the DCT may have greater utility in detecting non-credible performance than E-Scores and completion time scores, particularly among more severely impaired individuals. Future research should establish and cross-validate the sensitivity and specificity of the DCT for assessing performance validity.

Social trust distance in mergers and acquisitions

We study the role of regional cultural differences in M&A transactions in the U.S. A larger social trust distance between two companies reduces the likelihood of them combining via an M&A transaction and results in lower completion rates and longer completion times, indicating higher complexity in deal execution. However, a larger social trust distance is also associated with higher gains from mergers, as measured by acquirer and combined announcement returns and medium-term buy-and-hold abnormal returns. This suggests that for these announced deals, the synergy potential is high enough to offset the costs induced by the large cultural distance.

Use of regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces and intramuscular electrodes to improve prosthetic grasp selection: a case study

Objective. Advanced myoelectric hands enable users to select from multiple functional grasps. Current methods for controlling these hands are unintuitive and require frequent recalibration. This case study assessed the performance of tasks involving grasp selection, object interaction, and dynamic postural changes using intramuscular electrodes with regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces (RPNIs) and residual muscles. Approach. One female with unilateral transradial amputation participated in a series of experiments to compare the performance of grasp selection controllers with RPNIs and intramuscular control signals with controllers using surface electrodes. These experiments included a virtual grasp-matching task with and without a concurrent cognitive task and physical tasks with a prosthesis including standardized functional assessments and a functional assessment where the individual made a cup of coffee (‘Coffee Task’) that required grasp transitions. Main results. In the virtual environment, the participant was able to select between four functional grasps with higher accuracy using the RPNI controller (92.5%) compared to surface controllers (81.9%). With the concurrent cognitive task, performance of the virtual task was more consistent with RPNI controllers (reduced accuracy by 1.1%) compared to with surface controllers (4.8%). When RPNI signals were excluded from the controller with intramuscular electromyography (i.e. residual muscles only), grasp selection accuracy decreased by up to 24%. The participant completed the Coffee Task with 11.7% longer completion time with the surface controller than with the RPNI controller. She also completed the Coffee Task with 11 fewer transition errors out of a maximum of 25 total errors when using the RPNI controller compared to surface controller. Significance. The use of RPNI signals in concert with residual muscles and intramuscular electrodes can improve grasp selection accuracy in both virtual and physical environments. This approach yielded consistent performance without recalibration needs while reducing cognitive load associated with pattern recognition for myoelectric control (clinical trial registration number NCT03260400).

Associations of multicomponent exercise and aspects of physical performance with frailty trajectory in older adults

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that frailty leads to falls, institutionalization, hospitalization, and the loss of functional capacity. While numerous intervention methods aim to reverse frailty, the most effective in older adults is multicomponent exercise. Physical performance has been highlighted as a key factor in mobility, independence, and the burden of chronic disease. Several studies have demonstrated an association between physical performance and frailty; however, the relation between the two over the long term has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, the current study aims to examine how aspects of physical performance are associated with frailty in the long run for older adults in Taiwan.MethodsThis nine-month longitudinal study employed the generalized estimating equation (GEE) modeling to identify measures associated with frailty trajectory. A sample of 159 community-dwelling older adults was recruited through purposive sampling in 12 community care centers in Taiwan. A quasi-experimental approach was adopted in which participants were assigned to the control group or to receive a multicomponent exercise intervention and examined sociodemographic, physical performance, and other factors at the baseline, post intervention (3 months), and follow up (6 months) levels. The multicomponent exercise program was designed based on the principles of the American College of Sports Medicine and comprised aerobic exercise, muscle-strengthening activities, balance training, and stretching exercises once per week for 2 h per session for 12 weeks.ResultsAfter intervention, we found that the multicomponent exercise group exhibited better performance in the 2-minute step test than the control group (p < 0.05). Regarding long-term effects on frailty trajectories, the study finds that age progression, being female, and longer completion time in the timed up and go test increase the probability of frailty (p < 0.05). Conversely, more steps in the 2-minute step test and undertaking the multicomponent exercise program reduced the long-term probability of frailty (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study is the first to explore the relation between indicators of physical performance and frailty trajectory among older adults in Taiwan. Furthermore, we provided support for the efficacy of the multicomponent exercise program in improving frailty status.

Survey and Analysis of Virtual vs. In‐Person Biology Teaching Labs

In March 2020, due to the COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown, teaching labs at Stevens changed teaching styles from in‐person to online‐virtual in the middle of the semester. Virtual labs then became the new norm in the following semesters. The impact of the transition from in‐person to virtual biology lab teaching environments on college students is unknown. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of biology teaching labs utilizing different educational programs and platforms. In this study, an anonymous opinion survey was conducted among Stevens students who took in‐person and online‐virtual biology teaching labs during the last two years. 50 undergraduate students responded to an online survey and answered questions regarding their lab experience, preferences, likes and dislikes, and knowledge retention. The collected data were analyzed to determine if there was a statistically significant difference between in‐person and online‐virtual teaching labs. Among this group of 50 students, 74% of students stated they preferred in‐person labs over virtual labs. 60% of students explained how they appreciated the hands‐on experience in‐person labs provided them with and felt as though they retained the lessons learned in biology labs better through interacting with the equipment and materials hands on. However, 44% of the participants also noted some slight issues they have with in‐person labs including a small room for error, increased difficulty, and longer completion times. For the students that preferred virtual labs, the main reason was based on time. Students who preferred virtual labs admired the independence virtual labs allowed them to have including allowing them to work at their own pace. It is evident from the results of this study that students prefer in‐person labs over virtual and they value the interactive and experiential aspects of in‐person labs. For 3 out of the 4 specific labs surveyed, students that took the virtual version of the lab were more likely to answer correctly than students who took in‐person labs. However, for each of the 4 labs, the percentages for answering correctly differed no more than 15%. For the lab in which more in‐person students answered correctly, 78% of the questions were answered correctly by in‐person students and only 63% of the questions were answered correctly by virtual students. Although the analyzed data shows that students tended to retain more knowledge from virtual labs versus in‐person labs, 13 students stated they felt as though they learned more from in‐person labs. These results will ultimately allow alterations to be made to biology teaching labs based on student feedback and overall lab effectiveness in order to better suit the learning needs of the students both during and after the pandemic. This opinion survey received Stevens IRB Approval for Protocol No: 2021‐011(N) and extension 2021‐011(22‐COAS1) on 10/25/2021 and conducted in October 2021.

A Novel Perspective on the Proactive and Reactive Controls of Executive Function in Chronic Stroke Patients.

ObjectivesTo investigate the proactive and reactive control process when executing a complex task in patients with stroke. Proactive control is the preparatory process before the target stimulus, whereas reactive control is an imperative resolution of interference after the target stimulus.MethodsIn total, 17 patients with chronic stroke and 17 healthy individuals were recruited. The proactive and reactive control of executive function was assessed by the task-switching paradigm and the AX version of the Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT). The general executive function was assessed by Color Trial Test (CTT) and Stroop Test. The behavioral data of the task-switching paradigm were analyzed by a three-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and the AX-CPT data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.ResultsFor efficiency scores in the task-switching paradigm, trial (repeat vs. switch) × group (stroke or control group) interaction effect was significant. Post-hoc analysis on trial × group effect showed a significant between-trial difference in accuracy rates in the repeat trial in the control group regardless of 100 or 50% validity. For the AX-CPT, the main effects of condition and group on response time were statistically significant. The interaction effect of condition (AY or BX) × group (stroke or control group) was also significant. Post-hoc analysis for condition × group indicated that the stroke group had a significantly longer response time in the BX condition than the control group and longer completion time in CTT2 and larger word interference for completion time in the Stroop test than the control cohort.ConclusionsPost-stroke survivors showed deficits in the performance of proactive control but not in the performance of reactive control. Deficits in proactive control may be related to the impairment of working memory. Interventions that focus on proactive control may result in improved clinical outcomes.

Busy auditors, financial reporting timeliness and quality

We investigate whether audit partners with multiple clients are able to complete their audits in a timely fashion, an important but largely unexplored area of academic research. One view is that having multiple clients increases the knowledge and experience of the audit partner resulting in a more efficient and therefore, quicker audit. On the other hand, having multiple clients may over-burden an audit partner resulting in a slower audit process and longer completion times. We find that audit partners with multiple clients take longer to complete their annual audit. More importantly, we also find that companies with busy auditors who take longer to complete their audits also have poorer levels of financial reporting quality. Additionally, in terms of consequences for busy auditors, firms with lengthy audit report lag switched their auditors the next year suggesting that busy audit partners may lose clients if their workload is excessive and they are not able to maintain audit quality. Our results are robust to alternative measures for both audit report lag and audit partner busyness and a range of endogeneity tests. We also undertake simultaneous quantile regression to assess changes in audit report lag depending on the number of audit clients per partner where we find preliminary evidence of a knowledge spill-over effect. Consequently, our results have implications for companies, audit firms, regulators and other key stakeholders.

Offloading Tasks With Dependency and Service Caching in Mobile Edge Computing

In Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), many tasks require specific service support for execution and in addition, have a dependent order of execution among the tasks. However, previous works often ignore the impact of having limited services cached at the edge nodes on (dependent) task offloading, thus may lead to an infeasible offloading decision or a longer completion time. To bridge the gap, this article studies how to efficiently offload dependent tasks to edge nodes with limited (and predetermined) service caching. We formally define the problem of offloading dependent tasks with service caching (ODT-SC), and prove that there exists no algorithm with constant approximation for this hard problem. Then, we design an efficient convex programming based algorithm (CP) to solve this problem. Moreover, we study a special case with a homogeneous MEC and propose a favorite successor based algorithm (FS) to solve this special case with a competitive ratio of O(1)O(1)<; inline-graphic xlink:href="zhao-ieq1-3076687.gif"/>. Extensive simulation results using Google data traces show that our proposed algorithms can significantly reduce applications' completion time by about 21-47 percent compared with other alternatives.

Problem-solving deficits in methcathinone use disorder

The use of methcathinone (MCAT), a psychostimulant drug that can lead to long-term health risks and executive dysfunction, increased to an alarming rate in recent years. Impairments in low-level executive function have been reported in substance use disorder. However, little empirical evidence is available regarding high-level executive function (e.g., problem solving), which may act as a risk factor for relapse. The present study aimed to investigate whether the problem-solving ability was altered in abstinent individuals with methcathinone use disorder (MCUD). Here, we tested fifty male MCUD individuals (short-term MCUD group: twenty-nine patients with MCAT use less than 3years, long-term MCUD group: twenty-one patients with MCAT use longer than 3years, which were split by medium years of drug use) and twenty-four well-matched healthy controls (HC) in the Tower of Hanoi task (TOH) to assess the impact of task difficulty on drug-related changes in problem-solving performance. We used several measures to characterize problem-solving performance: the number of mistakes made, the completion time of the task, and the thinking time before the first move. In the low task difficulty condition, the MCUD group and HC group showed similar levels of mistakes and completion time, while in the high task difficulty condition, the MCUD group reported more mistakes (the mean number of mistakes in each trial: 1.41 ± 1.15 vs 0.79 ± 0.76, P = 0.019, Cohen's d = 0.635) and longer completion time in the task (the mean completion time in each trial: 45.83 ± 20.51s vs 33.40 ± 15.10s, P = 0.010, Cohen's d = 0.690) than the HC group. The thinking time before the first move did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.257). We further found that the long-term (more than 3years) MCUD group made more mistakes than the short-term MCUD group and HC group, mainly in the highly difficult subtasks. The longer time than HCs was reported in the long-term MCUD group among high task difficulty of subtasks. In addition, there was a positive correlation between years of MCAT use and the number of mistakes made in high task difficulty TOH task (r = 0.326, P = 0.021). Chronic methcathinone use was associated with deficits in problem-solving performance, which depended on the degree of task difficulty. The impairment was more evident in the long-term (> 3years) MCAT group.

Condensed Outpatient Rehabilitation Early After Lung Transplantation: A Retrospective Analysis of 6-Minute Walk Distance and Its Predictors

Purpose: The objectives were to evaluate the effect of a condensed post-lung transplant outpatient rehabilitation program started immediately after hospital discharge on 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and to explore predictors of change in 6MWD and time to complete rehabilitation. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from July 2009 to February 2019 on recipients who completed physical therapy-based posttransplant outpatient rehabilitation (PTOR). Changes in 6MWD prerehabilitation to postrehabilitation were assessed using repeated measures, and predictors were assessed using multiple linear regression. Results: Participants (N = 819, 61% men, 61 years) began PTOR 2 days (interquartile range [IQR] 1–3) after hospital discharge. The mean 6MWD of 324 m (SD = 107) improved after rehabilitation to 488 m (SD = 105). Factors associated with improvement were younger age (P = .003), higher baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (P &lt; .001), and lower baseline 6MWD (P &lt; .001). Participants averaged 22 sessions in 41 days (IQR 35–50); with lower baseline FEV1 (P = .002) and 6MWD (P &lt; .001) associated with longer completion time. Conclusions: A condensed outpatient rehabilitation program early after lung transplantation was associated with a large, clinically meaningful improvement in 6MWD. Salient predictors of improvement included age, lung function, and starting 6MWD. These findings from a large cohort of lung transplant recipients who participated in PTOR can assist clinicians in tailoring strategies to optimize patient management.