Personal care robots for older adults: an overview

In recent decades, the usages of robots in variety of industries have been increased. Self-directed robots have appeared in human lives, specifically, in the areas related to the lives of elderly. The population of old people is significantly growing worldwide. Therefore, there the demand for personal care robots is increasing. The aim of this demand is to enhance the opportunity of mobility and promote independence. In the future, robots care will be in very near contact with people lives. But, what caring roles will robots have at home in the future before old persons? It depends not only on the kinds of robots but also those facets of ageing which are discussed in the paper. This article probes the part and function of robots care in the lifecycle of older adults. It contemplates on the advantages and disadvantages of robots application in human life

Sprague Dawley Rats Were Able To Ferment Purified Resistant Starch And Whole Grain Starch On Moderate And High Fat Diets

Whole grain (WG) and fat content of the diet have been previously shown to affect intestinal fermentation and phenotype conferred by high–amylose maize starch (HAM), a form of fermentable dietary fiber. The current study was designed to compare rodent gut health following consumption of whole grain and non–whole grain prebiotics on moderate fat (MF) and high fat (HF) diets using a 2x2x2 factorial design. MF and HF diets were prepared to contain the following diet sources: (1) control starch with no WG or RS [CON], (2) whole grain waxy corn flour with low RS [WWG], (3) purified HAM resistant starch (RS) [HAMRS], and (4) WG HAM flour rich in resistant starch (WG+RS) [HMWG]. The eight diet conditions were fed to Sprague Dawley rats for six weeks (n = 12 per group). After euthanasia, blood, cecal contents and cecal epithelial cells were collected and gastro–intestinal (GI) tract portions and fat pad (retroperitoneal, perirenal, and epididymal) weights recorded. The presence of purified RS2 resulted in greater fermentation as part of the RS*WG interaction whereas no WG with high RS had the lowest pH of cecal contents. There was a main effect of RS with the high RS groups having the lowest abdominal fat percent of body weight. The presence of WG resulted in consistency of fermentation as groups with WG had similar levels of short chain fatty acids with MF and HF diets as reflected by WG*FAT. No RS*FAT effect was observed because of the WG consistency. Also, a greater butyrate production with WG was demonstrated by RS*WG. Results were primarily driven by two major effects, reflected by the presence of and lack of some significant differences. Purified RS fermented better on MF than HF diets. Diets with RS+WG show similar fermentation on both types of diets. These effects may be driven by RS1 vs. RS2 as high RS2 ferments better with MF diets, but presence of RS1 may ferment better with HF diets

Factors Affecting the Rate of Breast Cancer; Role of Heavy Metals

Breast cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of breast cells. It is more common in women as compared tothat in men. The breast cancer may be interlinked with the drinking of alcohol, smoking, sex, hormonal therapy, obesity,family history and age. Various epidemiologic studies suggest the role of metals e.g., nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), arsenic(As),selenium (Se)and cadmium (Cd)as potential risk factors in breast cancer. Humans are exposed to these metals bymeans of drinking water, food and air. The oxidative theory suspects that the complexes formed from these metals invivo, near the location of DNA, catalyze the redox reactions which results in oxidation of DNA. The metals like arsenic(As), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr)which exist in trace amount are considered ascarcinogens for organisms by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). The carcinogenicity of these metalsmainly depends upon their chemical structure and oxidation states

Comparison of New Metrics for Assessment of Risks of Occupational Noise

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most common occupational related health problems worldwide. Exposure to excessive noise is the major avoidable cause of permanent hearing loss. The conventional metrics for noise evaluation cannot accurately assess the exposure risks to high-level complex noise, which commonly occurs in many industrial and military fields. Recently, we have developed two advanced models, an adaptive weighting (F-weighting) and a complex velocity level (CVL) auditory fatigue model, to evaluate the risks of occupational noise. In this study, we compared performances of five noise assessment metrics, including F-weighted sound pressure level (SPL) LFeq, CVL model based SPL LCVL, equivalent SPL Leq, A-weighted SPL LAeq, and C-weighted SPL LCeq, using animal experimental data. The animal data includes 22 groups of chinchillas exposed to different types of noise (e.g., Gaussian and non-Gaussian noises). Linear regression analysis is applied to evaluate the correlations between the five noise metrics and the chinchillas’ NIHL data. The results show that both developed F-weighting and CVL models have high corrections with animal hearing loss data compared with the conventional noise metrics (i.e., Leq, LAeq and LCeq). It indicates that both developed models could provide accurate assessment of risks of high-level occupational noise in military and industrial applications. The results also suggest that the CVL model is more accurate than the F-weighting model on assessment of occupational noise

Rapid method for quantification of anthocyanidins and anthocyanins in human biological samples

This work was performed with the support of “The Scottish Government's Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS),” Scotland, U.K.Peer reviewedPostprin

Identifying Predictors of Functional Limitations Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Emotional Problems in US Adults

Depressive disorders are characterized as sharing affected mood, and somatic (e.g. sleep pattern, appetite, and unintentional changes in weight) and cognitive alterations from previous normal daily functioning that are clinically significant. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, general or specific anxiety, and related behavioral disturbances that are also clinically significant. This project attempts to identify risk factors that may predict what groups are most likely to be affected by depression and/or anxiety. Sponsored by the CDC, the National Health Interview Survey collects general health information for non-institutionalized individuals living in the US. Variables for use in logistic regression model construction were selected from the all-inclusive pool of data measurements taken during the 2014 NHIS person data module, using the literature as a guide. The sample was limited to adult respondents at least 18 years of age. Odds ratios were calculated for each level of potential predictor variables comparing the two levels of the dependent variable: those with a self-reported depression, anxiety, or emotional problem (DAE) related functional limitation and those without. These were used as initial inclusion criteria for logistic regression modeling, which resulted in two final models. Each model contained eight variables accounting for age, marital status, education level, financial factors, and other functional limitations. The nine predictor model also included sex as a predictor (c=0.763), while the eight predictor did not (c=0.790). Different effects were observed in each model. These models were designed for use as a tool for selecting groups for targeted public health intervention, not for use in a clinical setting, and could likely help distinguish groups that would be prime for investigating the prevalence and effects of DAE-related functional limitations. There were several limitations worth addressing in future research into this topic

Racial differences in user experiences and perceived value of electronic symptom monitoring in a cohort of black and white bladder and prostate cancer patients

Purpose: Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) are increasingly being used for symptom monitoring during routine cancer care, but have rarely been evaluated in diverse patient populations. We assessed ePRO user experiences and perceived value among Black and White cancer patients. Methods: We recruited 30 Black and 49 White bladder and prostate cancer patients from a single institution. Participants reported symptoms using either a web-based or automated telephone interface over 3 months and completed satisfaction surveys and qualitative interviews focused on user experiences and value. Using a narrative mixed methods approach, we evaluated overall and race-specific differences in ePRO user experiences and perceived value. Results: Most participants selected the web-based system, but Blacks were more likely to use the automated telephone-based system than Whites. In satisfaction surveys, Whites more commonly reported ease in understanding and reporting symptoms compared with Blacks. Blacks more often reported that the ePRO system was helpful in facilitating symptom-related discussions with clinicians. During interviews, Blacks described how the ePRO helped them recognize symptoms, while Whites found value in better understanding and tracking symptoms longitudinally. Blacks also expressed preferences for paper-based ePRO options due to perceived ease in better understanding of symptom items. Conclusion: Electronic patient-reported outcomes are perceived as valuable for variable reasons by Black and White cancer populations, with greater perceived value for communicating with clinicians reported among Blacks. To optimize equitable uptake of ePROs, oncology practices should offer several ePRO options (e.g., web-based, phone-based), as well as paper-based options, and consider the e-health literacy needs of patients during implementation

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN COCONUT WATER

This study was based on determining concentration of essential and toxic heavy metal in coconut water available at a local Hazaribagh area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. All essential minerals, if present in the drinking water at high concentration or very low concentration, it has negative actions. In this study, fifteen samples and eight heavy metals were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method which was followed by wet ashing digestion method. The concentration obtained in mg/l were in the range of 0.3 to 1.5, 7.77 to 21.2, 0 to 0.71, 0 to 0.9, 0 to 0.2, 0.9 to 17.3, 0.1 to 0.9, 0 to 0.9 and 0 to 0.7 for Fe, Ni, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, Pb and Se respectively. From this data it was concluded that any toxic heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni exceed their toxicity level and some essential nutrients were in low concentration in those samples.&nbsp

Phenolic Compounds in Water: Sources, Reactivity, Toxicity and Treatment Methods

Phenolic compounds exist in water bodies due to the discharge of polluted wastewater from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities into water bodies. They also occur as a result of natural phenomena. These compounds are known to be toxic and inflict both severe and long‐lasting effects on both humans and animals. They act as carcinogens and cause damage to the red blood cells and the liver, even at low concentrations. Interaction of these compounds with microorganisms, inorganic and other organic compounds in water can produce substituted compounds or other moieties, which may be as toxic as the original phenolic compounds. This chapter dwells on the sources and reactivity of phenolic compounds in water, their toxic effects on humans, and methods of their removal from water. Specific emphasis is placed on the techniques of their removal from water with attention on both conventional and advanced methods. Among these methods are ozonation, adsorption, extraction, photocatalytic degradation, biological, electro‐Fenton, adsorption and ion exchange and membrane‐based separation