Self-control interventions for children under age 10 for improving self-control and delinquency and problem behaviors

Self-control improvement programs are intended to serve many purposes, most notably improving self-control. Yet, interventions such as these often aim to reduce delinquency and problem behaviors. However, there is currently no summary statement available regarding whether or not these programs are effective in improving self-control and reducing delinquency and problem behaviors. The main objective of this review is to assess the available research evidence on the effect of self-control improvement programs on self-control and delinquency and problem behaviors. In addition to investigating the overall effect of early selfcontrol improvement programs, this review will examine, to the extent possible, the context in which these programs may be most successful. The studies included in this systematic review indicate that self-control improvement programs are an effective intervention for improving self-control and reducing delinquency and problem behaviors, and that the effect of these programs appears to be rather robust across various weighting procedures, and across context, outcome source, and based on both published and unpublished data

Model Predictive Control for Automated Driving and Collision Avoidance: Design of an integrated NMPC with simultaneous lateral and longitudinal control via steering and braking

The automotive sector has seen a rapid transition towards autonomous driving with an aim to achieve SAE Level 5 vehicle. The incessant drive for innovation has resulted in modern passenger cars equipped with plethora of control technologies such as ABS, VSC, AFS via EPS assist etc. all working respectively in various critical and non-critical scenarios to ensure safe and smooth driving at all times. These efforts have reduced the number of road accidents significantly over the past years, yet it was observed that the number of rear-end crashes have not decreased but has rather maintained its proportion which is about 1/3rd of all road accidents. An evasive maneuver, a limit-handling situation, involves quick steering or braking action to avoid colliding with the vehicle in-front (thus avoiding a rear-end crash). A normal human driver is not trained to drive and control car in such demanding and high stress inducing task. This warrants the needs of an autonomous controller design that can itself take over the control of car and perform the maneuver successfully. The aim of this research was to verify this statement by designing a novel control scheme that can steer and brake simultaneously ensuring collision avoidance and passenger safety at all times. The controller designed uses the state-of-the-art Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme such that best possible performance can be extracted even in critical driving scenarios. Variety of simulations were performed to successfully conclude that MPC worked well and is robust in design as well

Mutation pattern of K-ras gene in colorectal cancer patients of Kashmir: A report

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading malignancies worldwide. CRC has been reported to show geographical variation in its incidence, even within areas of ethnic homogeneity. The aim of this study is to identify K-ras gene mutations in CRC patients among the Kashmiri population, and to assess whether they are linked with the clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Paired tumor and normal tissue samples were collected from a consecutive series of 53 patients undergoing resective surgery for CRC. In addition blood was also collected from all the cases for ruling out germline mutation. Results: Colorectal patients, 22.64% (12 of 53), presented with mutations in K-ras constituting 13 missense mutations out of which 11 were G\u2192A transition, one G\u2192C transversion, and one G\u2192T transversion. 61.5% percent of the mutations occurred in codon 12 and 38.5% in codon 13. One tumor contained missense mutations in both codons. K-ras mutations were significantly associated with advanced Dukes\u2032 stage (P < 0.05) and positive lymph node status (P < 0.05). Moreover Codon 12 K-ras mutations were associated with mucinous histotype (P < 0.05). Comparison of the mutation profile with other high-risk areas reflected both mucinous histotype differences and similarities indicating coexposure to a unique set of risk factors. Conclusion: Mutation of the K-ras gene is one of the commonest genetic changes in the development of human CRC, but it occurs in a rather low frequency in Kashmiri population

Integrated nonlinear model predictive control for automated driving

This work presents a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) scheme to perform evasive maneuvers and avoid rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions are among the most common road fatalities. To reduce the risk of collision, it is necessary for the controller to react as quickly as possible and exploit the full vehicle maneuverability (i.e., combined control of longitudinal and lateral dynamics). The proposed design relies on the simultaneous use of steering and braking actions to track the desired reference path and avoid collisions with the preceding vehicle. A planar vehicle model was used to describe the vehicle dynamics. In addition, the dynamics of the brake system were included in the NMPC prediction model. Furthermore, the controller incorporates constraints to ensure vehicle stability and account for actuator limitations. In this respect, the constraints were defined on Kamm circle and Ideal Brake Torque Distribution (IBD) logic for optimal tire force and brake torque distribution. To evaluate the design, the performance of the proposed NMPC was compared with two ”more classical” MPC designs that rely on: (i) a linear bicycle model, and (ii) a nonlinear bicycle model. The performance of these three controller designs was evaluated in simulation (using a high-fidelity vehicle simulator) via relevant KPIs, such as reference tracking Root Mean Square (RMS) error, controller’s rise/settling time, and Distance to Collision (i.e., the lateral distance by which collision was avoided safely). Different single-lane-change maneuvers were tested and the behavior of the controllers was evaluated in the presence of lateral wind disturbances, road friction variation, and maneuver aggressiveness

Mutation pattern of K-ras gene in colorectal cancer patients of Kashmir: A report

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading malignancies worldwide. CRC has been reported to show geographical variation in its incidence, even within areas of ethnic homogeneity. The aim of this study is to identify K-ras gene mutations in CRC patients among the Kashmiri population, and to assess whether they are linked with the clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: Paired tumor and normal tissue samples were collected from a consecutive series of 53 patients undergoing resective surgery for CRC. In addition blood was also collected from all the cases for ruling out germline mutation. Results: Colorectal patients, 22.64% (12 of 53), presented with mutations in K-ras constituting 13 missense mutations out of which 11 were G→A transition, one G→C transversion, and one G→T transversion. 61.5% percent of the mutations occurred in codon 12 and 38.5% in codon 13. One tumor contained missense mutations in both codons. K-ras mutations were significantly associated with advanced Dukes′ stage (P < 0.05) and positive lymph node status (P < 0.05). Moreover Codon 12 K-ras mutations were associated with mucinous histotype (P < 0.05). Comparison of the mutation profile with other high-risk areas reflected both mucinous histotype differences and similarities indicating coexposure to a unique set of risk factors. Conclusion: Mutation of the K-ras gene is one of the commonest genetic changes in the development of human CRC, but it occurs in a rather low frequency in Kashmiri population

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgeries

Abstract Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) is a collection of strategies that combine in a structured pathway allowing the surgical and anaesthetic teams to decrease the physical insult and aid recovery enabling earlier discharge. 222 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery -106 cases and 116 controls were included in a prospective comparative study done over a period of two years. Patients were matched for age, gender, co-morbidity, type of disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, type of surgery and stoma formation. Primary outcome measures of this study were length of hospital stay, mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcome measures were early oral feeding, return of bowel functions and number of readmissions within 30 days. Mean post-operative hospital stay was 4 days for patients in ERAS group compared to 8.7 days for the control group. There was no significant difference between the ERAS and control group for morbidity (22.6% Vs 31.1%; P = 0.16) and mortality (0% Vs 0.86%; P &gt; 0.05). Regular feeding was tolerated much earlier in ERAS group (3days Vs 7days; P = 0.00). Bowel functions returned earlier in ERAS group (2.9 days Vs 5.3 days; P = 0.00). Readmission within 30 days of discharge was higher for ERAS group (6.6% Vs 0%; P = 0.05). Treatment of colorectal surgery patients according to an enhanced recovery after surgery programme leads to faster recovery and shorter hospital stay. Principles of ERAS programme are applicable and will be most beneficial for the patients

Integrated nonlinear model predictive control for automated driving

This work presents a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) scheme to perform evasive maneuvers and avoid rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions are among the most common road fatalities. To reduce the risk of collision, it is necessary for the controller to react as quickly as possible and exploit the full vehicle maneuverability (i.e., combined control of longitudinal and lateral dynamics). The proposed design relies on the simultaneous use of steering and braking actions to track the desired reference path and avoid collisions with the preceding vehicle. A planar vehicle model was used to describe the vehicle dynamics. In addition, the dynamics of the brake system were included in the NMPC prediction model. Furthermore, the controller incorporates constraints to ensure vehicle stability and account for actuator limitations. In this respect, the constraints were defined on Kamm circle and Ideal Brake Torque Distribution (IBD) logic for optimal tire force and brake torque distribution. To evaluate the design, the performance of the proposed NMPC was compared with two ”more classical” MPC designs that rely on: (i) a linear bicycle model, and (ii) a nonlinear bicycle model. The performance of these three controller designs was evaluated in simulation (using a high-fidelity vehicle simulator) via relevant KPIs, such as reference tracking Root Mean Square (RMS) error, controller’s rise/settling time, and Distance to Collision (i.e., the lateral distance by which collision was avoided safely). Different single-lane-change maneuvers were tested and the behavior of the controllers was evaluated in the presence of lateral wind disturbances, road friction variation, and maneuver aggressiveness.Learning & Autonomous ControlIntelligent Vehicle