Examining Factors Influencing Cognitive Load of Computer Programmers

In this study, the factors influencing the cognitive load of computer programmers during the perception of different code tasks were investigated. The eye movement features of computer programmers were used to provide a significant relationship between the perceptual processes of the sample codes and cognitive load. Thanks to the relationship, the influence of various personal characteristics of programmers on cognitive load was examined. Various personal parameters such as programming experience, age, native language, and programming frequency were used in the study. The study was performed on the Eye Movements in Programming (EMIP) dataset containing 216 programmers with different characteristics. Eye movement information recorded during two different code comprehension tasks was decomposed into sub-information, such as pupil movement speed and diameter change. Rapid changes in eye movement signals were adaptively detected using the z-score peak detection algorithm. Regarding the cognitive load calculations, canonical correlation analysis was used to build a statistically significant and efficient mathematical model connecting the extracted eye movement features and the different parameters of the programmers, and the results were statistically significant. As a result of the analysis, the factors affecting the cognitive load of computer programmers for the related database were converted into percentages, and it was seen that linguistic distance is an essential factor in the cognitive load of programmers and the effect of gender on cognitive load is quite limited.

[Does the incidence of premature labor vary according to the season?]

To investigate the epidemiology of premature delivery, in particular regarding potential seasonal influences, a retrospective medical-record study was conducted in 3345 women who delivered prematurely over a six-year period (1988-1993). The control group was composed of 53,162 women who carried their pregnancies to term. Each study subject had delivered at least one liveborn baby, prematurely or at full term. The premature delivery rate (ratio of premature over term deliveries) was highest in May through July and decreased significantly in January and February (p < 0.05). Premature delivery rates were similar in primiparas and multiparas (p > 0.05) and were not influenced by the gender of the fetus (p > 0.05). In conclusion, premature delivery rates vary across seasons, suggesting an influence of weather conditions.

[A twin pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus]

A case of twin pregnancy in bicornuate uterus with a fetus in each horn is presented. During the second trimester, the rudimentary horn ruptured. This horn was extirpated and two non viable fetus were delivered by cesarean section. Later on, the patient had another pregnancy in the unicornuate uterus. She was delivered at 36th week of pregnancy by cesarean section. The baby was in good condition.