User-defined transfer functions to improve pointing performance in graphical user interfaces

Pointing at a target is the most fundamental and frequent task in graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Pointing devices like the mouse is the most popular and cheapest input devices for current desktop computers and the touchpad or trackpad is the best match between performance and demand of pointing devices for laptop computers. Due to the widespread and frequent use of pointing devices, even a small improvement in pointing performance can have a large effect on a system's usability. The physical movement of a mouse or dragging motion of a finger on a touchpad is translated into the movement of a pointer on the graphical display through so-called transfer functions. Transfer functions are actually the only pointing facilitation technique available to all users in modern days operating systems. Despite the importance of transfer functions, very little is known about the nature of the optimal transfer functions. Pointer acceleration (PA) is the default behavior on the Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS operating systems. It dynamically manipulates the Control-Display (CD) gain between the input device and the pointer as a function of the device's velocity. This mechanism has been implemented in modern desktop user interfaces and increases the CD gain as the user's hand or finger velocity increases. Previous work showed that the default functions of Windows, Apple macOS and Xorg (the X.Org Foundation server) have shown better performance compared to a constant CD gain. Apple macOS has the improvised performance for small target widths but reduces performance for covering the long distances. Current knowledge on velocity based transfer functions relies on evaluations of basic functions and adapting the CD gain in discrete or continuous ways using low-order polynomials. The internal details and design rationales of the transfer functions that we all use are mostly unknown. The aim of this thesis is to gain a deeper understanding of the optimal transfer functions and to assess them based on natural interaction with the system using a user-driven approach. The implementation part of the thesis is divided into two desktop applications, one is for recording all raw mouse and pointer movement as well as recording contextual information to understand a transfer function. The other implementation part of the thesis is to enable the user to define their own transfer functions. Users can customize existing default transfer functions and use them to control the pointer. These two applications are used to conduct a study that collects user device information and as well as user-defined transfer functions. Finally, we identify interesting transfer function for touchpads and mice

Interaction of Ketotifen Fumarate with Anhydrous Theophylline in Simulated Gastric and Intestinal Media and Effect on Protein Binding

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate interaction between ketotifen fumarate and anhydrous theophylline in aqueous media of various pH.Methods: By using Job’s continuous-variation analysis and Ardon’s spectrophotomeric methods, the values of stability constants of theophylline with ketotifen were determined at a fixed temperature (37 0C) at each of the medium pH. In vitro study of protein (bovine albumin, fraction v) binding was carried out by equilibrium dialysis method at pH 7.4 to ascertain the influence of ketotifen on the protein binding of theophylline.Results: Stability constant, ranging between 5.07 and 6.35, were derived from Ardon’s plot, indicating that complexes formed, as a result of interaction between the drugs, were comparatively stable. However, following theophylline interaction with ketotifen, stability constant was < 1 at gastric pH (0.4 and 2.0) and 4.12 at intestinal pH. (6.0)The highest degree of protein binding by ketotifen was 98 % and the lowest 90 %. For theophylline, the highest and lowest degrees of protein binding were 90 and 85 %, respectively.Conclusion: Concurrent administration of ketotifen and theophylline would result in the formation of a stable complex and this is likely to reduce the therapeutic activities of both drugs. With regard to protein binding, the concentration of theophylline increased with decrease in ketotifen concentration.Keywords: Stability constant, Job’s method, Ardon’s method, Ketotifen fumarate, Complex formation, Protein binding, Theophyllin

Evaluation of Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) bosser leaf extract on glucose tolerance in glucose-induced hyperglycemic mice

Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae) leaf is used in folk medicine of Bangladesh for the treatment of diabetes, but so far no scientific study has been done which may support its use in traditional medicine. The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible glucose tolerance efficacy of methanolic extract of Neolamarckia cadamba leaf using glucose-induced hyperglycemic mice. The extract at different doses was administered one hour prior to glucose administration and blood glucose level was measured after two hours of glucose administration (p.o.) using glucose oxidase method. The statistical data indicated significant oral hypoglycemic activity on glucose-loaded mice at the two highest doses of 200 and 400 mg extract per kg body weight. Maximum anti-hyperglycemic activity was shown at 400 mg per kg body weight, which was comparable to that of , glibenclamide (10 mg/kg). The methanolic extract of leaf of Neolamarckia cadamba had beneficial effects in reducing the elevated blood glucose level of hyperglycemic mice.Keywords: Neolamarckia cadamba; Hypoglycemic activity; Serum glucose level; Glibenclamid

A triangulated perspective for understanding CAM use in Lebanon: a qualitative study.

Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study. Background: Existing evidence marked a prevalent use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies in Lebanon that is concomitant with low rates of disclosure to health care providers and limited knowledge among the general public of safety and side effects of CAM use. Objectives: To examine the perspectives of Lebanese CAM users, CAM providers, and health care providers (HCPs) regarding their understanding of CAM and of the Push and Pull factors that drive its use. Methods: A qualitative research study was conducted using in-depth interviews, targeting Lebanese adults (CAM users; 18-65 years) (n=14), CAM providers such as yoga instructors, owners of CAM product outlets, herbalists, and religious figures (n=13); and HCPs including physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists (n=14). The topic guide covered, in addition to the understanding of CAM, the Push and Pull factors driving CAM use. The adults were recruited by convenient sampling, and CAM providers and HCPs using a purposive sampling approach. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and translated into English. Analysis was performed using a qualitative thematic approach. Similarities and differences in the perceptions of the participants with regards to factors that influence CAM use were charted and contrasted, using a triangulated approach. Results: The three study groups exhibited a similar understanding of CAM, referring to non-conventional therapies used to prevent/treat diseases or to enhance wellbeing. CAM users and CAM providers identified "distrust in HCPs", "lack of patient-centered care in CM", and "limitations and side effects of CM" as important Push factors. All study groups highlighted the limited CAM knowledge of HCPs as a main reason for the lack of patient-centered care. All three groups also underscored the affordability and the social and cultural support for CAM as main enablers of its prevalent use. Unlike HCPs who were skeptical about the safety and effectiveness of CAM, CAM users and CAM providers indicated that most of CAM therapies are safe and efficient. Conclusions: The triangulation of perspectives (CAM users, CAM providers, and HCPs) in this study allowed a comprehensive appraisal of CAM use and its drivers. Improving the HCPs' CAM-related knowledge, promoting patient-centered care and fostering an open dialogue between HCPs and CAM providers are among the recommendations of the study

Cancer Predisposition Genes in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs): a Review Paper from the Italian AYA Working Group

Purpose of Review: The present narrative systematic review summarizes current knowledge on germline gene mutations predisposing to solid tumors in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Recent Findings: AYAs with cancer represent a particular group of patients with specific challenging characteristics and yet unmet needs. A significant percentage of AYA patients carry pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPVs) in cancer predisposition genes. Nevertheless, knowledge on spectrum, frequency, and clinical implications of germline variants in AYAs with solid tumors is limited. Summary: The identification of PV/LPV in AYA is especially critical given the need for appropriate communicative strategies, risk of second primary cancers, need for personalized long-term surveillance, potential reproductive implications, and cascade testing of at-risk family members. Moreover, these gene alterations may potentially provide novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets that are lacking in AYA patients. Among young adults with early-onset phenotypes of malignancies typically presenting at later ages, the increased prevalence of germline PV/LPVs supports a role for genetic counseling and testing irrespective of tumor type

Genotoxic and Anatomical Deteriorations Associated with Potentially Toxic Elements Accumulation in Water Hyacinth Grown in Drainage Water Resources

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs)-induced genotoxicity on aquatic plants is still an open question. Herein, a single clone from a population of water hyacinth covering a large distribution area of Nile River (freshwater) was transplanted in two drainage water resources to explore the hazardous effect of PTEs on molecular, biochemical and anatomical characters of plants compared to those grown in freshwater. Inductivity Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis indicated that PTEs concentrations in water resources were relatively low in most cases. However, the high tendency of water hyacinth to bio-accumulate and bio-magnify PTEs maximized their concentrations in plant samples (roots in particular). A Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay showed the genotoxic effects of PTEs on plants grown in drainage water. PTEs accumulation caused substantial alterations in DNA profiles including the presence or absence of certain bands and even the appearance of new bands. Plants grown in drainage water exhibited several mutations on the electrophoretic profiles and banding pattern of total protein, especially proteins isolated from roots. Several anatomical deteriorations were observed on PTEs-stressed plants including reductions in the thickness of epidermis, cortex and endodermis as well as vascular cylinder diameter. The research findings of this investigation may provide some new insights regarding molecular, biochemical and anatomical responses of water hyacinth grown in drainage water resources.</jats:p

Parenting practices and adolescent eating behaviors in African American families.

Parents play an important role in developing the eating behaviors of their children by adopting specific parenting practices. As the prevalence of obesity is high amongst African American adolescents, investigations into associations of specific parenting practices and adolescents' eating behaviors are essential. In this exploratory study, 14 African American parent-adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize the influence of eight different parenting practices on the consumption of three main food categories (dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks). The results revealed that authoritarian parenting practices were correlated with a higher BMI percentile in adolescents, whereas modeling and monitoring are correlated with a higher parent BMI. In addition, reasoning, monitoring, modeling, and authoritative parenting practices were associated with less unhealthy snack consumption among adolescents. Reasoning and monitoring were the only parenting practices associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Finally, a significant correlation was found between eating fruits and vegetables and unhealthy snacks and the location of eating. In conclusion, different parenting practices and environmental factors may impact BMI and food consumption of African American dyads. The results of this study can be used to guide improvement in, and/or development of, nutritional education interventions considering the cultural differences of racial minorities

Relationship between family racial/ethnic backgrounds, parenting practices and styles, and adolescent eating behaviors.

Obesity is more prevalent among racial minority children in the United States, as compared to White children. Parenting practices can impact the development of children's eating behaviors and habits. In this study, we investigated the relationships among racial/ethnic backgrounds, parenting practices and styles, and eating behaviors in adolescents. Fifty-one parent-adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize parenting practices and styles, as well as the consumption of dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks. Height and weight were measured to calculate parent BMI and adolescent BMI-for-age percentiles. Three parenting practice categories-modeling, authoritative, and authoritarian-were found to be related to race/ethnicity. A higher score in authoritarian parenting practices was related to higher BMI percentiles among African American adolescents, whereas a higher score in monitoring practices was related to lower BMI percentiles among non-Hispanic White adolescents. Modeling, reasoning, and monitoring led to higher consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents; however, the consumption of unhealthy snacks was higher with rule-setting and lower with reasoning and authoritative practices. Finally, an analysis of the relationships between environmental factors and snack intake showed that adolescents consumed significantly more unhealthy snacks when performing other activities while eating. In conclusion, the findings from this study suggest that families' racial heritages are related to their parenting practices, BMI percentiles, and their adolescents' food consumption and eating behaviors. The results of this study can be used to develop and improve adolescent nutrition education and interventions with consideration of their racial/ethnic backgrounds