Relationship between heat loss indexes and physiological indicators of turnout-related heat strain in mild and hot environments.

A validated physiological manikin method was used to qualify environmentally dependent correlations between firefighter turnout total heat loss (THL) and intrinsic evaporative resistance () heat strain indexes and core temperature rise in stressful work conducted in mild (25 °C, 65% relative humidity [RH]) and hot (35 °C, 40% RH; 40 °C, 28% RH) conditions. Five turnout suit constructions representing a wide range of breathability were selected. The observed correlations between measured material heat loss and core temperature showed that the THL heat strain index accurately forecast thermal burden in mild environments (<25 °C); while the index provided accurate prediction in hot environments (>35 °C).

Chip-scale blue light phased array.

Compact beam steering in the visible spectral range is required for a wide range of emerging applications, such as augmented and virtual reality displays, optical traps for quantum information processing, biological sensing, and stimulation. Optical phased arrays (OPAs) can shape and steer light to enable these applications with no moving parts on a compact chip. However, OPA demonstrations have been mainly limited to the near-infrared spectral range due to the fabrication and material challenges imposed by the shorter wavelengths.

Effectiveness of Using a Thermal Sweating Manikin Coupled with a Thermoregulation Model to Predict Human Physiological Response to Different Firefighter Turnout Suits.

Manikins have been used for almost 100 years to help understand the properties of clothing materials and garments. Data from sweating manikins also have been used within thermoregulation computer models to estimate the physiological responses of humans. In recent years, the development of the ManikinPC system has incorporated a thermoregulation model into a thermal sweating manikin system to provide a real-time analysis of predicted physiological response.

Syntheses and Biological Evaluations of Highly Functionalized Hydroxamate Containing and -Methylthio Monobactams as Anti-Tuberculosis and β-Lactamase Inhibitory Agents.

Both the resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) and antibiotic resistance continue to threaten modern healthcare and new means of combating pathogenic bacterial infections are needed. The syntheses of monobactams possessing hydroxamate and -methylthio functionality are described, as well as their anti-TB, β-lactamase inhibitory, and general antimicrobial evaluations. A number of compounds exhibited significant anti-TB and β-lactamase inhibitory activity, with MIC values in the range of 25 to < 0.

New and concise syntheses of the bicyclic oxamazin core using an intramolecular nitroso Diels-Alder reaction and ring-closing olefin metathesis.

Herein two new and concise synthetic approaches for making an unsaturated bicyclic oxamazin core are reported. The first involves the use of an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction to form both of the fused rings in one step. The second approach incorporates ring-closing olefin metathesis in the final step to form the second fused ring of the core.

Effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program on impairment and function for children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: To compare the effects of a supported speed treadmill training exercise program (SSTTEP) with exercise on spasticity, strength, motor control, gait spatiotemporal parameters, gross motor skills, and physical function.

Method: Twenty-six children (14 males, 12 females; mean age 9y 6mo, SD 2y 2mo) with spastic cerebral palsy (CP; diplegia, n=12; triplegia, n=2; quadriplegia n=12; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels II-IV) were randomly assigned to the SSTTEP or exercise (strengthening) group. After a twice daily, 2-week induction, children continued the intervention at home 5 days a week for 10 weeks.

Precision and content range of a parent-reported item bank assessing lower extremity and mobility skills in children with cerebral palsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties, content range, and measurement precision of a lower extremity physical functioning and mobility skills item bank (LE85) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Lower extremity functioning and mobility skill items were administered to 308 parents of children (169 males, 139 females; mean age 10y 8mo, SD 4y) with spastic CP (145 diplegia, 73 hemiplegia, 89 quadriplegia; [for one person type of CP was unknown]) classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (75 level I, 91 level II, 79 level III, 37 level IV, 26 level V). Additional legacy measures were administered to assess concurrent validity.

Validity and reliability of physical functioning computer-adaptive tests for children with cerebral palsy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the concurrent validity and reliability of scores from 4 new parent-report computer-adapted testing (CAT) programs developed to measure the physical functioning of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The Shriners Hospitals for Children CP-CAT battery includes upper-extremity skills, lower-extremity and mobility skills, activity, and global physical health.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 91 children with CP who were tested cross-sectionally and 27 children with CP who were administered the CP-CAT programs twice within approximately a 1-month interval.

Development of a parent-report computer-adaptive test to assess physical functioning in children with cerebral palsy I: lower-extremity and mobility skills.

The objective of this project was to develop computer-adaptive tests (CATs) using parent reports of physical function in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). The specific aims of this study were to (1) examine the psychometric properties of an item bank of lower-extremity and mobility skills for children with CP; (2) evaluate a CAT using this item bank; (3) examine the concurrent validity of the CAT with the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ); and (4) establish the discriminant validity of simulated CATs with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and CP type (diplegia, hemiplegia, or quadriplegia). Parents (n=190) of children and adolescents with spastic diplegic (48%), hemiplegic (22%), or quadriplegic (30%) CP consisting of 108 males and 82 females with a mean age of 10 years 7 months (SD 4y 1mo, range 2-21y) and in GMFCS levels I to V participated in item pool calibration and completed the PODCI and FAQ.

Evaluation of an item bank for a computerized adaptive test of activity in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Contemporary clinical assessments of activity are needed across the age span for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) has the potential to efficiently administer items for children across wide age spans and functional levels.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a new item bank and simulated computerized adaptive test to assess activity level abilities in children with CP.

Development of a parent-report computer-adaptive test to assess physical functioning in children with cerebral palsy II: upper-extremity skills.

The specific aims of this study were to (1) examine the psychometric properties (unidimensionality, differential item functioning, scale coverage) of an item bank of upper-extremity skills for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP); (2) evaluate a simulated computer-adaptive test (CAT) using this item bank; (3) examine the concurrent validity of the CAT with the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) upper-extremity core scale; and (4) determine the discriminant validity of the simulated CAT with Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels and CP type (i.e. diplegia, hemiplegia, or quadriplegia).

Measuring global physical health in children with cerebral palsy: illustration of a multidimensional bi-factor model and computerized adaptive testing.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to apply a bi-factor model for the determination of test dimensionality and a multidimensional CAT using computer simulations of real data for the assessment of a new global physical health measure for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Parent respondents of 306 children with cerebral palsy were recruited from four pediatric rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient clinics. We compared confirmatory factor analysis results across four models: (1) one-factor unidimensional; (2) two-factor multidimensional (MIRT); (3) bi-factor MIRT with fixed slopes; and (4) bi-factor MIRT with varied slopes.

Using cognitive interviewing for test items to assess physical function in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the content, format, and comprehension of test items and responses developed for use in a computer adaptive test (CAT) of physical function for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: After training in cognitive interviewing techniques, investigators defined item intent and developed questions for each item. Parents of children with CP (n = 27) participated in interviews probing item meaning, item wording, and response choice adequacy and appropriateness.

Physical function for children and youth with cerebral palsy: Item bank development for computer adaptive testing.

The purposes of this paper are to: 1) present a conceptual framework that supports development of a computer adaptive test (CAT) outcome measure of physical functioning for children with cerebral palsy; 2) illustrate the development and refinement of an item bank for use in the CAT; and 3) describe the intended application of these newly developed items in a CAT platform. Improvement in physical functioning is one of the most important developmental and rehabilitative outcomes for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Computer adaptive testing technology provides means to improve outcome measures.