New Subclasses of Multivalent Analytic Functions Associated with a Linear Operator

Making use of a linear operator, which is defined here by means of the Hadamard product (or convolution), we consider two subclasses and of multivalent analytic functions with negative coefficients in the open unit disk. Some modified Hadamard products, integral transforms, and the partial sums of functions belonging to these classes are studied

Numerical simulation of 2D hydraulic jumps using SPH method

A hydraulic jump that generally occurs in river or spillway is a rapid transition from supercritical to subcritical flow characterized by the development of large-scale turbulence, surface waves, energy dissipation and considerable air entrainment. The hydraulic jump is widely used as energy dissipaters in hydraulic engineering due to the high energy dissipation rate. In this study, a weakly compressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics model (WCSPH) is established to simulate the 2D hydraulic jump in open channel. To test the model, two hydraulic jump cases with different inflow Froude number are simulated. The comparison between numerical conjugate depths in the subcritical section with theoretical results show generally good agreement with theory. In addition, an aeration at the jump toe can be clearly observed in numerical results with only Single-phase flow. It is proved that SPH method has unique advantages dealing with the hydraulic jumps

Ten-year trend analysis of autism severity: A nationwide population-based register study

[[abstract]]The severity of autism spectrum disorder was strongly related to the education and service outcome. Without a clear profile of autistic population and its change, efforts to understand its nature and improve the quality of service or education will be impossible. The present study aims to describe the over time reported rate of autism severity based on a nationwide population-based 10 years register data in Taiwan. We obtained the national register data–the Disabled Population by Aged and Grade and the Taiwan General Population by Age to examine the overtime trend change of autism severity from 2000 to 2009. Results showed that the reported prevalence of autistic cases significantly increased from 0.93 to 3.96 per 10,000 population in 2000–2009. The group of mild disability grade was significant increasing from 33.4% to56.2% in percentage of four disability levels in the year of 2000 and 2009, the other groups were decreasing percentage significantly at the same period (p < 0.001 in linear trend tests). However, the gender difference in the number of autism in all disability severity needed to be measured in the future study. The study highlights that it is needed to measure the effect of autism severity on the healthcare and education needs in the near future, to improve the quality service for people with autism spectrum disorder

The study of geographic differences in the prevalence of disability among Taiwanese population

[[abstract]]The present study analyzes data of the governmental reported general population and population of persons with disabilities from 2002 to 2009, to describe the disability prevalence and to test the overtime change with particular focused on the geographic differences in Taiwan. In average, the disability prevalence was 42.06‰ (range = 31.06‰–80.04‰ in different areas) of the general population during the past 8 years. We found that the disability prevalence in general population (R2 = 0.991; p < 0.001), disability prevalence in men (R2 = 0.992; p < 0.001) and in women (R2 = 0.991; p < 0.001) were significantly increased in curve tests of the study. The disability number were more populous in north or west urban areas (such as Taipei County, Taipei City, Taoyuan County, Taichung County, Kaohsiung City), however, those areas of higher disability prevalence were more likely to locate in east and central remote areas (such as Taitung County = 80.04‰; Yunlin County = 71.95‰; Hualien County = 71.59‰; Chiayi County = 63.51‰ and Yilan County = 59.91‰). The study highlights that the uneven distribution of disability prevalence will bring challenges of health and social welfare services for this group of population. We suggest the authorities should scrutinize the disparity of disability prevalence in different geographic area to examine the equality of social welfare resources distribution in Taiwan

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Anemia in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities.

[[abstract]]Anemia is known to be a significant public health problem in many countries. Most of the available information is incomplete or limited to special groups such as people with intellectual disability. The present study aims to provide the information of anemia prevalence and associated risk factors of children and adolescents with intellectual disability in Taiwan. We analyzed physical examination charts of 937 children and adolescents with intellectual disability at the age of 6–18 years from three special schools. We collected information on their demographic characteristics (age and gender), disability condition (type and level), BMI (weight and height) and measured blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb). There were 11.6% of children and adolescents with intellectual disability with anemia (boy <13 g/dl, girl <12 g/dl), and the factors of gender, age, disability level and BMI are significantly correlated to anemia in bivariant analyses in the study. In the logistic regression analysis, the model revealed that the factors of gender (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41–0.95), and age (OR = 3.21, 95% CI = 1.77–5.82) were variables that could significantly predict the anemia occurrence of the participants. The study highlights the anemia prevalence in children and adolescents with ID is a mild public health problem among people with intellectual disabilities, but to prevent the problems become worst; the health authority should include providing children and adolescents with adequate nutrition and appropriate health protections during early childhood

Spinal and Limb Abnormalities in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities.

[[abstract]]There are not many studies pertaining to the spinal or limb abnormalities in people with intellectual disabilities, without a clear profile of these deformities of them, efforts to understand its characters and improve their quality of life will be impossible. Therefore, this paper aims to describe the prevalence and related factors of spinal and limb abnormalities in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The participants who participated in health examinations as they enrolled into special schools at the first year, a total of 822 aged 15-18 years adolescents with ID were recruited to this study. The results showed that there were 14.5% and 8.5% cases had spinal and limb abnormalities based on the physician's observation and X-ray test. Factors of BMI level and limb abnormalities were significantly predicted the spinal abnormality occurrence in those adolescents with ID. Gender, disability level and have a spinal abnormality were variables that can statistically correlate to limb abnormality condition. The study highlights that in order to ensure people with intellectual disabilities receive an appropriate quality of care, it is important to have a precise understanding of the ways in which the needs of them who have spinal or limb deformities differ from the sole intellectual disability and the general population as a whole

Prevalence and associated risk factors of anemia in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities

[[abstract]]Anemia is known to be a significant public health problem in many countries. Most of the available information is incomplete or limited to special groups such as people with intellectual disability. The present study aims to provide the information of anemia prevalence and associated risk factors of children and adolescents with intellectual disability in Taiwan. We analyzed physical examination charts of 937 children and adolescents with intellectual disability at the age of 6-18 years from three special schools. We collected information on their demographic characteristics (age and gender), disability condition (type and level), BMI (weight and height) and measured blood hemoglobin concentration (Hb). There were 11.6% of children and adolescents with intellectual disability with anemia (boy <13g/dl, girl <12g/dl), and the factors of gender, age, disability level and BMI are significantly correlated to anemia in bivariant analyses in the study. In the logistic regression analysis, the model revealed that the factors of gender (OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.41-0.95), and age (OR=3.21, 95% CI=1.77-5.82) were variables that could significantly predict the anemia occurrence of the participants. The Study highlights the anemia prevalence in children and adolescents with ID is a mild public health problem among people with intellectual disabilities, but to prevent the problems become worst: the health authority should include providing children and adolescents with adequate nutrition and appropriate health protections during early childhood. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Interactive effects of delayed bedtime and family-associated factors on depression in elementary school children

[[abstract]]Shorter sleep time was reported to be associated with psychological functioning in children. We intended to examine the relationship between nocturnal sleep duration and depression status by investigating if delayed bedtime could be one of the enhancement factors for depression in children. A cross-sectional study was performed to investigate the depression status in elementary school children in middle Taiwan. Total 676 participants from 29 schools, in grades 3–6 were recruited to participate in the study. A modified depression scale for domestic school children was used to determine the depression status. Data of depression-related demographic characteristics, family, school variables and bedtime data were collected with a structured questionnaire. The results showed that almost one in five children (18%) had depression status. Delayed bedtime, child–parent relationship, family climate, and peer relationship were found to be the main predictors of childhood depression. Further stratification analysis showed that delayed bedtime significantly interacted with family climate and peer relationship on childhood depression. The risk of depression for children with a delayed bedtime of 10 PM and either in a non-harmonious family life or without a close parent–child relationship was 4.35 and 4.73 times greater than the reference group respectively. This study provides evidence for interactive effects between delayed bedtime and family concern factors which synergistically elevated the risk of childhood depression. This information may serve as a practical guide for parents and school teachers by recognizing that an adequate bedtime schedule could serve as a preventive measure against depression in children

Serum uric acid, hyperuricemia and body mass index in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities

[[abstract]]The aims of the preset study were to describe the profile of serum uric acid, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its risk factors among children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 941 children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (aged 4–18 years) who participated in annual health examinations in three special schools in Taiwan. This study indicated 30.6% boys and 17.9% girls with intellectual disabilities were with hyperuricemia in Taiwan. The factors of gender, age and BMI were variables that can significantly predict the hyperuricemia occurrence in this vulnerable population. Those children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities were boys (OR = 2.93, 95% CI = 2.02–4.26) and older age (OR = 6.49, 95% CI = 2.19–19.21) were more likely to be hyperuricemia. With regard to BMI to hyperuricemia occurrence, those children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities were overweight (OR = 1.16–3.21, 95% CI = 1.16–3.21) and being obese (OR = 4.95–11.58, 95% CI = 4.95–11.58) was more likely to have a hyperuricemia than the normal weight group. This study provides the general profile of serum uric acid, hyperuricemia and its risk factors of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Medical professionals should be highly alert to the possible consequences of hyperuricemia and provide useful information about the clinical manifestation of this condition for caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities

Quality of life in caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: Use of WHOQOL-BREF survey

[[abstract]]The present study based on World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale to examine quality of life of the caregivers caring for their children/adolescents with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan, and the factors contributing to their quality of life. Structured interviews were conducted with 597 caregivers of children/adolescents with intellectual disabilities. The results found that the mean scores in each domain of WHOQOL-BREF of the caregivers as the followings: physical capacity (PC) was 13.71 ± 2.35, psychological well-being (PW) was 12.21 ± 2.55, social relationship (SR) was 12.99 ± 2.43 and environment (EN) was 12.32 ± 2.38. These mean scores were lower than the general population and slight higher than the caregivers of adults with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan. Finally, multiple stepwise regressions were conducted to examine the characteristics of caregiver and children/adolescents with intellectual disabilities will more likely explained the WHOQOL-BREF mean scores. The study found the following three factors: self-perceived health status, household income and stress from insufficient family support were significantly correlated to all four domains in multiple stepwise regression analyses. The results highlights that caregivers of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities seem to display a lower WHOQOL-BREF mean score than the general population, probably for a combination of stress, health and household income factors. These finding must be taken into account in policy making to provide better and more specific supports and interventions for the caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities