Rotate-and-Press: A Non-Visual Alternative to Point-and-Click

Most computer applications manifest visually rich and dense graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that are primarily tailored for an easy-and-efficient sighted interaction using a combination of two default input modalities, namely the keyboard and the mouse/touchpad. However, blind screen-reader users predominantly rely only on keyboard, and therefore struggle to interact with these applications, since it is both arduous and tedious to perform the visual \u27point-and-click\u27 tasks such as accessing the various application commands/features using just keyboard shortcuts supported by screen readers. In this paper, we investigate the suitability of a \u27rotate-and-press\u27 input modality as an effective non-visual substitute for the visual mouse to easily interact with computer applications, with specific focus on word processing applications serving as the representative case study. In this regard, we designed and developed bTunes, an add-on for Microsoft Word that customizes an off-the-shelf Dial input device such that it serves as a surrogate mouse for blind screen-reader users to quickly access various application commands and features using a set of simple rotate and press gestures supported by the Dial. Therefore, with bTunes, blind users too can now enjoy the benefits of two input modalities, as their sighted counterparts. A user study with 15 blind participants revealed that bTunes significantly reduced both the time and number of user actions for doing representative tasks in a word processing application, by as much as 65.1% and 36.09% respectively. The participants also stated that they did not face any issues switching between keyboard and Dial, and furthermore gave a high usability rating (84.66 avg. SUS score) for bTunes

Influence of Exposure to Imidacloprid on Survivorship, Reproduction and Vitellin Content of the Carmine Spider Mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus

Occasional reports linking neonicotinoid insecticide applications to field population outbreaks of the spider mite have been a topic of concern for integrated pest management programs. To elucidate the impacts of a neonicotinoid insecticide on the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval (Acari: Tetranychidae), the survivorship, reproduction, and vitellin contents of the mite were investigated after exposure to various concentrations of imidacloprid on the V. unguiculata leaf discs at 25°C, 80% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) in the laboratory. The results showed that the field-relevant dose of imidacloprid did not significantly affect the hatch rate of eggs or pre-imaginal survivorship of the mite, while sublethal doses of imidacloprid, previously determined for Myzus persicae, led to a significant increase in the hatch rate of eggs and pre-imaginal survivorship of the mite compared to the untreated control. Adult longevity and fecundity of T. cinnabarinus for imidacloprid-treated populations were slightly prolonged and increased, respectively, but the difference from the untreated control was not significant. The vitellin content in eggs increased significantly after exposure to imidacloprid. Imidacloprid may be one of the major reasons for the outbreak of T. cinnabarinus in the field

Minimum Degree up to Local Complementation: Bounds, Parameterized Complexity, and Exact Algorithms

The local minimum degree of a graph is the minimum degree that can be reached by means of local complementation. For any n, there exist graphs of order n which have a local minimum degree at least 0.189n, or at least 0.110n when restricted to bipartite graphs. Regarding the upper bound, we show that for any graph of order n, its local minimum degree is at most 3n/8+o(n) and n/4+o(n) for bipartite graphs, improving the known n/2 upper bound. We also prove that the local minimum degree is smaller than half of the vertex cover number (up to a logarithmic term). The local minimum degree problem is NP-Complete and hard to approximate. We show that this problem, even when restricted to bipartite graphs, is in W[2] and FPT-equivalent to the EvenSet problem, which W[1]-hardness is a long standing open question. Finally, we show that the local minimum degree is computed by a O*(1.938^n)-algorithm, and a O*(1.466^n)-algorithm for the bipartite graphs

Doubly Encapsulated Perylene Diimides: Effect of Molecular Encapsulation on Photophysical Properties

Intermolecular interactions play a fundamental role on the performance of conjugated materials in organic electronic devices, as they heavily influence their optoelectronic properties. Synthetic control over the solid state properties of organic optoelectronic materials is crucial to access real life applications. Perylene diimides (PDIs) are one of the most highly studied classes of organic fluorescent dyes. In the solid state, π–π stacking suppresses their emission, limiting their use in a variety of applications. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel PDI dye that is encapsulated by four alkylene straps. X-ray crystallography indicates that intermolecular π–π stacking is completely suppressed in the crystalline state. This is further validated by the photophysical properties of the dye in both solution and solid state and supported by theoretical calculations. However, we find that the introduction of the encapsulating “arms” results in the creation of charge-transfer states which modify the excited state properties. This article demonstrates that molecular encapsulation can be used as a powerful tool to tune intermolecular interactions and thereby gain an extra level of control over the solid state properties of organic optoelectronic materials

Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinarycare in the UK

The German Shepherd Dog (GSD) has been widely used for a variety of working roles. However, concerns for the health and welfare of the GSD have been widely aired and there is evidence that breed numbers are now in decline in the UK. Accurate demographic and disorder data could assist with breeding and clinical prioritisation. The VetCompassTM Programme collects clinical data on dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. This study included all VetCompassTM dogs under veterinary care during 2013. Demographic, mortality and clinical diagnosis data on GSDs were extracted and reported

Stage-Dependent Tolerance of the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica for Dichlorvos and Propoxur

Stage-dependent dichlorvos and propoxur tolerance in a field population of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica Linnaeus (Blatodea: Blattellidae), was investigated in the laboratory using a topical application bioassay. The results showed the 6 week-old nymphs were more tolerant to dichlorvos and propoxur than the other ages tested. LD50 values of dichlorvos and propoxur for the 6 week-old nymphs were 2.003 µµg per insect and 5.296 µµg per insect, respectively. Tolerance ratios of 18.55-fold and 4.98-fold for LD50 were obtained from 6-week-old nymphs compared to 4 week-old nymphs. The specific activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from 1 week-old nymphs was the highest among all tested developmental stages of nymphs and adult males and females. The specific activity of AChE decreased significantly with increasing age. The sensitivity of AChE to dichlorvos was the highest with a ki value of 3.12××104 mol-1min-1 in the last nymphal stage of B. germanica (about 6 weeks-old). The AChE from 4 week-old nymphs was the most sensitive to propoxur, with the highest ki value being 2.63××105 mol-1min-1. These results indicated that the different developmental stages and sexes of B. germanica affected the inhibition of AChE by dichlorvos and propoxur

Predictors for neonatal death in the rural areas of Shaanxi Province of Northwestern China: a cross-sectional study

Background Almost all (99%) neonatal deaths arise in low-income and middle-income countries. Approximately 450 new-born children die every hour, which is mainly from preventable causes. There has been increased recognition of the need for these countries to implement public health interventions that specifically target neonatal deaths. The purpose of this paper is to identify the predictors of neonatal death in Type 4 rural (poorest) counties in Shaanxi Province of northwestern China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shaanxi Province, China. A single-stage survey design was identified to estimate standard errors. Because of concern about the complex sample design, the data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Socioeconomic and maternal health service utilization factors were added into the model. Results During the study period, a total of 4750 women who delivered in the past three years were randomly selected for interview in the five counties. There were 4880 live births and 54 neonatal deaths identified. In the multiple logistic regression, the odds of neonatal death was significantly higher for multiparous women (OR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.34, 5.70) and women who did not receive antennal health care in the first trimester of pregnancy (OR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.41, 4.40). Women who gave birth in a county-level hospital (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.86) and had junior high school or higher education level (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.84) were significantly protected from neonatal death. Conclusions Public health interventions directed at reducing neonatal death should address the socioeconomic factors and maternal health service utilization, which significantly influence neonatal mortality in rural China. Multipara, low educational level of the women, availability of prenatal visits in the first trimester of pregnancy and hospital delivery should be considered when planning the interventions to reduce the neonatal mortality in rural areas

RASSF1A–LATS1 signalling stabilizes replication forks by restricting CDK2-mediated phosphorylation of BRCA2

Genomic instability is a key hallmark of cancer leading to tumour heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance. ​BRCA2 has a fundamental role in error-free DNA repair but also sustains genome integrity by promoting ​RAD51 nucleofilament formation at stalled replication forks. ​CDK2 phosphorylates ​BRCA2 (pS3291-​BRCA2) to limit stabilizing contacts with polymerized ​RAD51; however, how replication stress modulates ​CDK2 activity and whether loss of pS3291-​BRCA2 regulation results in genomic instability of tumours are not known. Here we demonstrate that the Hippo pathway kinase ​LATS1 interacts with ​CDK2 in response to genotoxic stress to constrain pS3291-​BRCA2 and support ​RAD51 nucleofilaments, thereby maintaining genomic fidelity during replication stalling. We also show that ​LATS1 forms part of an ​ATR-mediated response to replication stress that requires the tumour suppressor ​RASSF1A. Importantly, perturbation of the ​ATR–​RASSF1A–​LATS1 signalling axis leads to genomic defects associated with loss of ​BRCA2 function and contributes to genomic instability and ‘BRCA-ness’ in lung cancers