Usability Studies In Virtual And Traditional Computer Aided Design Environments For Navigation

A usability study was used to measure user performance and user preferences for a CAVETM immersive stereoscopic virtual environment with wand interfaces compared directly with a workstation non-stereoscopic traditional CAD interface with keyboard and mouse. In both the CAVETM and the adaptable technology environments, crystal eye glasses are used to produce a stereoscopic view. An ascension flock of birds tracking system is used for tracking the user’s head and wand pointing device positions in 3D space. It is argued that with these immersive technologies, including the use of gestures and hand movements, a more natural interface in immersive virtual environments is possible. Such an interface allows a more rapid and efficient set of actions to recognize geometry, interaction within a spatial environment, the ability to find errors, and navigate through a virtual environment. The wand interface provides a significantly improved means of interaction. This study quantitatively measures the differences in interaction when compared with traditional human computer interfaces. This paper provides analysis via usability study methods for navigation termed as Benchmark 1. During testing, testers are given some time to “play around” with the CAVETM environment for familiarity before undertaking a specific exercise. The testers are then instructed regarding tasks to be completed, and are asked to work quickly without sacrificing accuracy. The research team timed each task, and recorded activity on evaluation sheets for Navigation Test. At the completion of the testing scenario involving navigation, the subject/testers were given a survey document and asked to respond by checking boxes to communicate their subjective opinions

Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination Rate in USA: A Machine Learning Approach

In this study, we examine state-level features and policies that are most important in achieving a threshold level vaccination rate to curve the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We employ CHAID, a decision tree algorithm, on three different model specifications to answer this question based on a dataset that includes all the states in the United States. Workplace travel emerges as the most important predictor; however, the governors’ political affiliation (PA) replaces it in a more conservative feature set that includes economic features and the growth rate of COVID-19 cases. We also employ several alternative algorithms as a robustness check. Results from these checks confirm our original findings regarding workplace travels and political affiliation. The accuracy under different model specifications ranges from 80%–88%, whereas the sensitivity is between 92.5%–100%. Our findings provide actionable policy insights to increase vaccination rates and combat the COVID-19 pandemic

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency and the transition to adulthood: current perspective

Childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) is an endocrine condition associated with a broad range of health issues from childhood through to adulthood, which requires particular attention during the transition period from adolescence to young adulthood. There is uncertainty in the clinical practice of the management of CO-GHD during transition regarding the clinical assessment and management of individual patients during and after transition to obtain optimal follow-up and improved health outcomes. Despite the availability of clinical guidelines providing the framework for transition of young adults with CO-GHD, there remains substantial variation in approaching transitional care among pediatric and adult services. A well-structured and coordinated transitional plan with clear communication and direct collaboration between pediatric and adult health care to ensure optimal management of adolescents with CO-GHD during transition is needed

Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Buccal Tablets of Atorvastatin Calcium

The objective of present study is to prepare buccoadhesive buccal tablets of Atorvastatin calcium (AVC-8mg) using the bioadhesive polymers Carbopol 974P (CP), Guar Gum, and Gum Ghatti as matrix forming agent and  Ethyl cellulose (EC-25mg) as impermeable backing layer. The solubility studies were conducted along with PEG 4000 in different medias.  Twelve formulations of mucoadhesive buccal tablets of AVC were prepared, which contain the polymers in various combinations. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method and characterized for swelling studies, % matrix erosion, surface pH, bioadhesive properties, in-vitro drug dissolution and in-vitro diffusion studies. All the formulations shows the satisfactory results in terms of bioadhesive performance. The swelling index was proportional to polymer content. The surface pH of all tablets was found to be satisfactory, close to neutral pH; the AVC released and drug diffusion from these tablets was depended on the ratio and type of the natural polymers used in the formulation. The AVC released mechanism was found to. Tablets containing CP (10%) and Guar Gum, HPMCK4M and Gum Ghatti in the ratio of 1:3 (F3, F7 and F8) shows near zero order kinetics release, with non-Fickians diffusion and followed anomalous release. The ex vivo permeation concluded that PEG 4000 enhanced the permeability of AVC from the tablets. FT-IR studies revealed that there is no interaction between drug and polymer used in the study

A novel method for assessing visual perception of surgical planes

Background: Recognition of tissue planes during surgery appears to be a skill acquired with experience. We conducted a pilot study to test this hypothesis using a novel method for evaluating this skill in a simulated environment. Methods: Twelve surgeons of varying levels of experience were shown 16 captured images from a mesorectal excision. For each image, they were asked to draw the ideal dissection plane with a stylus on a tablet computer. We used a novel metric for comparing agreement between lines to determine the level of precision observed between junior and senior trainees and consultant surgeons and measure the accuracy of junior and senior trainees compared with consultant surgeons. Results: We observed significant differences in precision for 9 of 16 images; 7 of these followed the predicted stepwise pattern associated with level of experience. Using consultant surgeons as the reference standard, we observed significant differences in accuracy between senior and junior trainees for 11 images, with senior trainees being more accurate in 10 of them. Only 2 images failed to contribute significant findings to our analysis. Conclusion: The findings of this pilot evaluation of a novel method for measuring a surgeon\u27s ability to recognize tissue planes in a simulated model show that skill improves with experience. Further evaluation of this method will reveal its utility as an assessment tool and possibly as a training instrument

In vitro Release kinetics and Bio availability of Layered Matrix tablets of Diclofenac Sodium

Controlled release tablets having near zero-order release of diclofenac sodium water soluble drug were prepared using guar gum (GG) in matrix core and Hydroxy Propyl Cellulose (HPC), Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose (HPMCK4M) and Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (Na CMC) as barrier layers. The optimum ratio of drug: guar gum was found to be 1:1, anionic GG in the matrix core and anionic Na CMC as barrier layers resulted in near zero order release of diclofenac sodium. Different dissolution models were applied to drug release data in order to evaluate release mechanisms and kinetics. The nature of drug release from matrix tablets and layered matrix tablets followed non-Fickian diffusion and super case II mechanism respectively. Mean dissolution time (MDT) for the formulations MT-GG and MLT-06 were found to be 3.65h and 16.57h, while Dissolution Efficiency (DE8%) decreases, indicating that the release of drug is slower from layered matrix tablets. On the basis of in vitro release data, MLT-06 was subjected to bioavailability studies. The in-vivo characterization of diclofenac sodium in human volunteers from formulation MLT-06 showed delayed Tmax unaltered bio availability indicating a slow and controlled release of the drug from layered matrix tablets.Keywords: Diclofenac sodium, Matrix and layered matrix tablets, Controlled released

Finite-time passivity for neutral-type neural networks with time-varying delays – via auxiliary function-based integral inequalities

In this paper, we investigated the problem of the finite-time boundedness and finitetime passivity for neural networks with time-varying delays. A triple, quadrable and five integral terms with the delay information are introduced in the new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF). Based on the auxiliary integral inequality, Writinger integral inequality and Jensen’s inequality, several sufficient conditions are derived. Finally, numerical examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed criterion. There results are compared with the existing results.&nbsp

On the energy and spectral properties of the he matrix of hexagonal systems

summary:The He matrix, put forward by He and He in 1989, is designed as a means for uniquely representing the structure of a hexagonal system (= benzenoid graph). Observing that the He matrix is just the adjacency matrix of a pertinently weighted inner dual of the respective hexagonal system, we establish a number of its spectral properties. Afterwards, we discuss the number of eigenvalues equal to zero of the He matrix of a hexagonal system. Moreover, we obtain a relation between the number of triangles and the eigenvalues of the He matrix of a hexagonal system. Finally, we present an upper bound on the He energy of hexagonal systems

The Impact of Human Papillomavirus Educational Intervention Study on the Knowledge, Health Beliefs, Health Behaviors and Increasing the Use of Gardasil in Women of Color

Lack of human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge and cervical cancer awareness are factors contributing to a disproportion in African American (AA) women with cervical cancer. The purpose of this intervention study was to use gender specific and culturally appropriate HPV educational materials to increase HPV knowledge and cervical cancer awareness, to increase health beliefs, and the intent for AA women to use the HPV vaccine. Convenience sampling was used to describe a sample of 98 AA women recruited from an Ambulatory Women’s health clinic between 2015 and 2017. HPV educational videos and pamphlets materials were used to collect baseline and post intervention knowledge using a self-administered questionnaire, video, and pamphlet. Results revealed an increase in HPV and cervical cancer knowledge, and recommended use of HPV vaccine with family members. HPV educational materials increased women’s knowledge of HPV and cervical cancer, increased healthy behaviors, and the intent to use HPV vaccine with family members, without personal intent to take the HPV vaccine. Future research is needed to examine the decrease in AA women’s’ intent to receive the HPV vaccine