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Item does not contain fulltext, Purpose of review: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects between 1 in 3,000 and 8,000 individuals globally. No evidence-based guideline exists to inform the care of these patients, and most do not have access to multidisciplinary care centers staffed by experienced professionals, creating a clinical care deficit. Recent findings: The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in DM1 patient care to develop consensus-based care recommendations. MDF created a 2-step methodology for the project using elements of the Single Text Procedure and the Nominal Group Technique. The process generated a 4-page Quick Reference Guide and a comprehensive, 55-page document that provides clinical care recommendations for 19 discrete body systems and/or care considerations. Summary: The resulting recommendations are intended to help standardize and elevate care for this patient population and reduce variability in clinical trial and study environments.

Item does not contain fulltext, Purpose of review: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe, progressive genetic disease that affects between 1 in 3,000 and 8,000 individuals globally. No evidence-based guideline exists to inform the care of these patients, and most do not have access to multidisciplinary care centers staffed by experienced professionals, creating a clinical care deficit. Recent findings: The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) recruited 66 international clinicians experienced in DM1 patient care to develop consensus-based care recommendations. MDF created a 2-step methodology for the project using elements of the Single Text Procedure and the Nominal Group Technique. The process generated a 4-page Quick Reference Guide and a comprehensive, 55-page document that provides clinical care recommendations for 19 discrete body systems and/or care considerations. Summary: The resulting recommendations are intended to help standardize and elevate care for this patient population and reduce variability in clinical trial and study environments.

The variability of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters of forest tree species was investigated in 209 stands belonging to six European forests, from Mediterranean to boreal regions. The modifying role of environmental factors, forest structure and tree diversity (species richness and composition) on ChlF signature was analysed. At the European level, conifers showed higher potential performance than broadleaf species. Forests in central Europe performed better than those in Mediterranean and boreal regions. At the site level, homogeneous clusters of tree species were identified by means of a principal component analysis (PCA) of ChlF parameters. The discrimination of the clusters of species was influenced by their taxonomic position and ecological characteristics. The species richness influenced the tree ChlF properties in different ways depending on tree species and site. Tree species and site also affected the relationships between ChlF parameters and other plant functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, light-saturated photosynthesis, wood density, leaf carbon isotope composition). The assessment of the photosynthetic properties of tree species, by means of ChlF parameters, in relation to their functional traits, is a relevant issue for studies in forest ecology. The connections of data from field surveys with remotely assessed parameters must be carefully explored.

One of the current advances in functional biodiversity research is the move away from short-lived test systems towards the exploration of diversity-ecosystem functioning relationships in structurally more complex ecosystems. In forests, assumptions about the functional significance of tree species diversity have only recently produced a new generation of research on ecosystem processes and services. Novel experimental designs have now replaced traditional forestry trials, but these comparatively young experimental plots suffer from specific difficulties that are mainly related to the tree size and longevity. Tree species diversity experiments therefore need to be complemented with comparative observational studies in existing forests. Here we present the design and implementation of a new network of forest plots along tree species diversity gradients in six major European forest types: the FunDivEUROPE Exploratory Platform. Based on a review of the deficiencies of existing observational approaches and of unresolved research questions and hypotheses, we discuss the fundamental criteria that shaped the design of our platform. Key features include the extent of the species diversity gradient with mixtures up to five species, strict avoidance of a dilution gradient, special attention to community evenness and minimal covariation with other environmental factors. The new European research platform permits the most comprehensive assessment of tree species diversity effects on forest ecosystem functioning to date since it offers a common set of research plots to groups of researchers from very different disciplines and uses the same methodological approach in contrasting forest types along an extensive environmental gradient.

The All-Holland Dairy Show (NRM) is a biennial feast for commercial and pedigree producers alike. Nowhere in the world can they see so many daughter groups on display as at this event.

This paper describes the instructional features of the Military Language Tutor (MILT), how they were shaped by principles of learning and memory drawn from work in experimental psychology, and how these approaches are being used to deal with the problems of continuous speech recognition in a tutor.

The Technology Review for Speech Recognition for Language Sustainment was an effort of the Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center, the U.S. Army Research Institute and the Advanced Research Projects Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Language Office. The review examined the state-of-the-art in continuous speech recognition (CSR) as it applies to foreign language training, sustainment, and enhancement for the Special Operations Forces (SOF). The review addressed short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals for applying technology to SOF language training/sustainment needs. Presenters included developers of CSR systems with demonstrated interest in language education. ranging from industry to academia. In addition, participants discussed speech translation technology and its links to language training technologies. While the focus of the review was SOF, representatives of other military and government user groups also attended. It was held on August 2 and 3 1995, in Fayetteville, NC., Review conducted at Fayetteville, NC, 2-3 Aug 95.

The Technology Review for Speech Recognition for Language Sustainment was an effort of the Special Operations Research, Development and Acquisition Center. The U.S. Army Research Institute and the Advanced Research Projects Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Language Office. The review examined the state-of-the-art in continuous speech recognition (CSR) as it applies to foreign language training, sustainment, and enhancement for the Special Operations Forces (SOF). The review addressed short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals for applying technology to SOF language training/sustainment needs. Presenters included developers of CSR systems with demonstrated interest in language education. ranging from industry to academia. In addition. participants discussed speech translation technology and its links to language training technologies. While the focus of the review was SOF, representatives of other military and government user groups also attended. It was held on August 2 and 3 1995 in Fayetteville, NC.

This report draws upon findings from document design research to identify key features of effective work-oriented documents and presents techniques writers can use to identify potential users and their diverse needs for information. A technique is presented for structuring and monitoring organization of drafts to produce a document that effectively addresses the users' needs. Guidelines are presented for deciding when special formats should supplement or replace standard text. The report also presents key features of clear writing reflected in structuring of sentences and paragraphs and in choice of words.

This report describes the development and evaluation of the Computerized Hand-held Instructional Prototype (CHIP). CHIP is a self-contained and fully portable, battery operated training device small and light enough to be hand-held during operation. The report describes the CHIP and its software, and summarizes five applications in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. CHIP produces the best results when used as a voluntary trainer to supplement lectures and practical exercises outside the classroom. Recommendations for the use of CHIP in schoolhouse exercises and in the field are included. Keywords: Computer games, Computer assisted instruction.

Acquiring and retaining a large foreign language lexicon is difficult for military linguists, especially if the lexicon contains technical and military terms used on the job. The shortage of instructors to teach job- specific foreign language, as well as demonstrated shortcomings of available paper-and-pencil methods, has stimulated exploratory development of computer- based programs for foreign language learning. This report analyzes the problem of learning job-specific lexicons in a foreign language, addressing both practical and cognitive-theoretical aspects. It describes the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences' (ARI'S) in-house development of a series of computer programs for learning foreign language vocabulary, justifying the structure of each program in terms of cognitive needs identified in the problem analysis. In particular, the report shows how the choice of hypertext software as a learning environment and development tool supports the structure of expert and emerging lexical knowledge as demonstrated in cognitive and psycholinguistic research. Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Computer-based instruction, Intelligent tutoring systems.

This Appendix is an adjunct to a research report of the same title. The Department of the Army needs information to aid in making decisions about English language programs and limited-English-speaking soldiers. Thus, information was gathered by analyzing data types covering more than 4000 soldiers and by carrying out a field study at seven Army posts. The questionnaires and other data collection forms used in this field study are included in this Appendix.

This research presents guidelines for designing courseware for CHIP (Computerized Hand-held Instructional Prototype), an electronic training aid developed by the Army Research Institute. First, using the framework of instructional systems development, a method of selecting appropriate training content for CHIP is described. Next, a procedure is given for screening and planning a particular CHIP curriculum. Finally, an authoring tool that enables conversion of the curriculum to CHIP format is reviewed, and other resources required for the conversion are discussed. Throughout the discussion, examples and lessons are drawn from five CHIP applications by the Army, Navy, and Air Force, which have undergone the process of selecting, planning, and converting curriculums to CHIP.

The Dept of the Army needs information to aid in making decisions about English language programs and limited-English-speaking soldiers. This information was gathered by analyzing data tapes covering more than 4000 soldiers and by carrying out a field study at seven Army posts. All data show improvements in test scores over the six-weeks of instruction. Soldiers with higher final scores are more likely to succeed in AIT. Although soldiers made favorable comments about programs and teachers, they report a need for more experience with speaking and listening as opposed to reading and writing. Limited English speaking soldiers tend to have difficulties such as culture shock, the inability to follow directions and understand written material, low motivation, and have the potential to be safety risks. The Army provides six weeks of English language instruction to prepare these soldiers to succeed during Initial Entry Training. The programs evaluated improved English language skills for all enrolled soldiers. However, those with the greatest deficiencies tended to graduate without meeting the test score criterion and demonstrated higher attrition during training. The Army must consider, therefore, whether to modify its English language programs to further improve the skills of highly deficient soldiers., See also Appendix, ADA137626.

This study examined instruction writing, seeking to distinguish effective from ineffective writers in terms of the processes they use. The study involved four phases: (1) observing 16 writers composing a set of instructions for one of two procedural tasks--item assembly and knot tying; (2) identifying effective instructions through user testing; (3) observing writers revising their own instructions, first before, then after viewing a videotaped user; (4) identifying effective revisions through user testing. Effective writers tended to define more problems related to selecting information (e.g., assessing informational sufficiency, level of detail, need for feedback). They also tended to test the adequacy of information by anticipating users' responses at choice points in their emerging texts. Originator supplied keywords include: Authoring; Discourse; Technical documentation; Linguistics; Psycholinguistics; Technical writing; Text.