Ethics and Acceptance of Smart Homes for Older Adults

Societal challenges associated with caring for the physical and mental health of the elderly worldwide have grown at an unprecedented pace, increasing demand for healthcare services and technologies [1]. Despite the development of several assistive systems tailored to older adults, the rate of adoption of health technologies is low [2, 3]. This review discusses the ethical and acceptability challenges resulting in low adoption of health technologies specifically focused on smart homes for the elderly. The findings have been structured in two categories: Ethical Considerations (Privacy, Social Support, Autonomy) and Technology Aspects (User Context, Usability, Training). The findings conclude that the elderly community is more likely to adopt assistive systems when four key criteria are met. The technology should: be personalized towards their needs, protect their dignity and independence, provide user control, and not be isolating. Finally, we recommend researchers and developers working on assistive systems to: (1) Provide interfaces via smart devices to control and configure the monitoring system with feedback for the user, (2) Include various sensors/devices to architect a smart home solution in a way that is easy to integrate in daily life and (3) Define policies about data ownership

Critical Dynamics of the Contact Process with Quenched Disorder

We study critical spreading dynamics in the two-dimensional contact process (CP) with quenched disorder in the form of random dilution. In the pure model, spreading from a single particle at the critical point $\lambda_c$ is characterized by the critical exponents of directed percolation: in $2+1$ dimensions, $\delta = 0.46$, $\eta = 0.214$, and $z = 1.13$. Disorder causes a dramatic change in the critical exponents, to $\delta \simeq 0.60$, $\eta \simeq -0.42$, and $z \simeq 0.24$. These exponents govern spreading following a long crossover period. The usual hyperscaling relation, $4 \delta + 2 \eta = d z$, is violated. Our results support the conjecture by Bramson, Durrett, and Schonmann [Ann. Prob. {\bf 19}, 960 (1991)], that in two or more dimensions the disordered CP has only a single phase transition.Comment: 11 pages, REVTeX, four figures available on reques

A potential role for RNA interference in controlling the activity of the human LINE-1 retrotransposon

Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE-1 or L1) comprise 17% of the human genome, although only 80–100 L1s are considered retrotransposition-competent (RC-L1). Despite their small number, RC-L1s are still potential hazards to genome integrity through insertional mutagenesis, unequal recombination and chromosome rearrangements. In this study, we provide several lines of evidence that the LINE-1 retrotransposon is susceptible to RNA interference (RNAi). First, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) generated in vitro from an L1 template is converted into functional short interfering RNA (siRNA) by DICER, the RNase III enzyme that initiates RNAi in human cells. Second, pooled siRNA from in vitro cleavage of L1 dsRNA, as well as synthetic L1 siRNA, targeting the 5′-UTR leads to sequence-specific mRNA degradation of an L1 fusion transcript. Finally, both synthetic and pooled siRNA suppressed retrotransposition from a highly active RC-L1 clone in cell culture assay. Our report is the first to demonstrate that a human transposable element is subjected to RNAi

Library Staff Salary Survey Report: A First Thursday Presentation

This presentation was given by the Salary Task Force (STF) members, Jamie Rogers, Annia Gonzalez, and Kelley Rowan at an FIU Libraries First Thursday\u27s Forum. Members of the task force presented the results from two surveys, including cost of living research and SUS salary analysis and comparisons. Afterwards, attendees were invited to ask questions and express their concerns before the task force publishes the final report. The research in this presentation is based on surveys and research conducted by all Salary Task Force members

Using patient-reported outcome measures for quality improvement in clinical genetics: an exploratory study

International advocacy of patient-centred healthcare delivery has led to emphasis on the (re)design and evaluation of healthcare processes and outcomes from a patient perspective. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have significant potential to inform such attempts. However there is limited understanding of the processes by which this can be achieved. This exploratory study followed attempts to utilise two different PROMs measures to support service quality improvement in clinical genetics. PROMs used were the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS-24), a well-validated clinical genetics-specific PROM and Euroqol (EQ-5D), a generic PROM favoured by the UK National Institute for Health and Excellence (NICE). Both of these PROMs enable pre/post intervention comparison. A service audit tool was also used, premised on a patient-reported experience measure. In addition, the study draws on interviews with clinical staff to identify challenges associated with the use of PROMs (response rate, data collection, analysis). Benefits are also explored and include the provision of insight into patients’ needs; complementing clinical judgement; identification of needs being met, evidencing the benefit of services provided; prompting consideration of areas requiring attention; and encouraging professional development

FIU Libraries Salary Task Force Report on Staff Salaries to Library Assembly

The Florida International University (FIU) Libraries Salary Task Force was commissioned to address salary disparities among library staff. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, the task force identifed salary inequities and recommends areas where fair compensation could be addressed. Guided by principles of transparency, sustainability, and competitiveness, the task force suggests employing a more equitable salary framework. Their goal is to enhance job satisfaction and morale while attracting talented professionals. This report outlines their findings and recommendations

Archaeological Monitoring and Test Excavations at the 1722 Presidio San Antonio de Bexar (Plaza de Armas Buildings), San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas

From April 2013 to November 2014, the Center for Archaeological Research (CAR) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) conducted archaeological monitoring and test excavations at the site of the 1722 Presidio San Antonio de Bexar, also known in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as the Plaza de Armas Buildings (Vogel Belt Complex) within Military Plaza in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. The project was performed for Ford, Powell and Carson, Architects and Planners, Inc. under contract with the City of San Antonio in anticipation of renovations and improvements to the Plaza de Armas Buildings (Vogel Belt Complex) to serve as offices and studios for the City of San Antonio. The complex is listed as contributing to the Main and Military Plaza National Register of Historic Places District, with the buildings listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In addition to the above, the property is owned by the City of San Antonio. Compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas was required. As such, the State Antiquities Code and Chapter 35 of the San Antonio Local Government Code that require coordination with the City Office of Historic Preservation and the Texas Historical Commission Divisions of Archaeology and Architecture govern the undertakings. CAR, therefore, conducted the work under Texas Antiquities Committee Permit No. 6526. Dr. Steve A. Tomka served as the Principal Investigator for the majority of the fieldwork, the initial analysis, and the description of materials collected. Kristi Nichols served as the Project Archaeologist during this initial monitoring and testing, assisted by Lindy Martinez. Both Dr. Tomka and Ms. Nichols left UTSA in 2014, and Dr. Raymond Mauldin assumed the Principal Investigator role for the project. Clinton McKenzie and Leonard Kemp were the Project Archaeologists for the final phases of monitoring, as well as for assembling the final report. Leonard Kemp oversaw additional test excavation. Trinomial 41BX2088 was assigned to the location. Principal activities during the project included monitoring trenches on the complex’s exterior, monitoring soil removal in sections of the interior, and hand excavations of a series of units in the basement. These basement excavations produced a variety of materials. CAR staff documented eight features, including several trash pits, recovered a variety of Spanish Colonial, Native American, and European/English ceramics, along with faunal material, chipped stone tools and debitage, and construction related items. It was concluded that much of this material was intact, and that additional features and midden deposits are present. The project provides direct evidence of materials associated with the Presidio de Bexar, built by the Spanish at this general location in 1722, as well as occupation in this area through the early twentieth century. CAR recommends that prior to any impacts in the basements, or any external impacts greater than 2.0 m in depth at the rear of the Plaza de Armas Buildings (Vogel Belt Complex), a comprehensive, systematic effort to recover significant data be initiated

Fibroma traumático riesgo potencial del tratamiento ortodóntico

El Fibroma traumático es considerado la lesión reactiva más frecuente de la cavidad bucal, se origina por una irritación constante o por antecedentes traumáticos, clínicamente se observa lesión papular de consistencia firme, color más claro que la mucosa adyacente, afecta encía, lengua, mucosa de carrillos y labios. Se reporta caso de paciente masculino de 24 años de edad, que asistió al servicio de Estomatología y Cirugía Oral de la Clínica Odontológica de la Corporación Universitaria Rafael Núñez por presentar lesión en mucosa labial asociada a la aparatología utilizada en el tratamiento de ortodoncia, con diagnóstico clínico de fibroma traumático; como terapéutica se realizó escisión quirúrgica y se confirmó el diagnóstico con estudio histopatológico

Morphological and molecular characterization of Karyolysus - a neglected but common parasite infecting some European lizards.

BACKGROUND Blood parasites of the genus Karyolysus Labbé, 1894 (Apicomplexa: Adeleida: Karyolysidae) represent the protozoan haemogregarines found in various genera of lizards, including Lacerta, Podarcis, Darevskia (Lacertidae) and Mabouia (Scincidae). The vectors of parasites are gamasid mites from the genus Ophionyssus. METHODS A total of 557 individuals of lacertid lizards were captured in four different localities in Europe (Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) and blood was collected. Samples were examined using both microscopic and molecular methods, and phylogenetic relationships of all isolates of Karyolysus sp. were assessed for the first time. Karyolysus sp. 18S rRNA isolates were evaluated using Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood analyses. RESULTS A total of 520 blood smears were examined microscopically and unicellular protozoan parasites were found in 116 samples (22.3% prevalence). The presence of two Karyolysus species, K. latus and K. lacazei was identified. In total, of 210 samples tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the presence of parasites was observed in 64 individuals (prevalence 30.5%). Results of phylogenetic analyses revealed the existence of four haplotypes, all part of the same lineage, with other parasites identified as belonging to the genus Hepatozoon. CONCLUSIONS Classification of these parasites using current taxonomy is complex - they were identified in both mites and ticks that typically are considered to host Karyolysus and Hepatozoon respectively. Furthermore although distortions to the intermediate host erythrocyte nuclei were observed, the defining characteristic of Karyolysus, the haplotypes were nearly identical to those reported from lizards in the Iberian Peninsula, where such distortions were not reported and which were thus identified as Hepatozoon. Based on the phylogenetic analyses, neither vertebrate host, nor geographical patterns of the studied blood parasites could be established