Handwriting Difficulty Screening Tool based on Dynamic Data from Drawing Process

Children with handwriting difficulty are advised to join an intervention program to rectify the problem at an early stage. However, the available screening tools suffer from subjectivity judgement while lack of expertise reduces the chance for every student to be screened. Yet, digitalized screening tools that use dynamic data from writing activities are only applicable to those who know the language. These limitations had led this study to develop an objective handwriting difficulty screening tool based on dynamic data of drawings. Three attributes extracted from 120 sets of dynamic data from drawing process were found to be significant in differentiating below-average writers from average writers. The attributes were then used to train Support Vector Machine prediction model. To test the validity and reliability of the prediction model, additional sets of data were acquired from 36 pupils. The performance of the tool was compared with the results from the Handwriting Proficiency Screening Questionnaire (HPSQ) that employs teachers’ observations on pupils’ handwriting ability. With 78% reliability, 69% of the predictions made by the developed tool was in accordance with the teachers’ observation. Most importantly, 53% of the average writers were screened as having handwriting problems. This denotes the objectivity of the developed tool in identifying below-average writers who failed to be recognized through teacher’s observation

Correlation Abnormal Ankle-Brachial Index and Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

BACKGROUND: Many studies showed the association between peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The anklebrachial index (ABI) was a simple, noninvasive, and not expensive test that showed high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of PAD. Previous studies showed PAD correlation with the number of coronary artery lesions and higher complexity of the lesions. These correlations might contribute to worse cardiovascular outcomes, especially acute coronary syndrome (ACS) cases. Aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation abnormal ABI with the risk of ACS patients to have multivessel coronary artery lesions.METHODS: This was a retrospective analytical casec ontrol study. The data were taken from Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital medical records from November 2015 to February 2016. The inclusion criteria were (>18 years old) patients with ACS who had underwent ABI examination and coronary angiography.RESULTS: The prevalence of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was lower than non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). The prevalence of patients with abnormal ABI was 43.3% and patients with multivessel CAD was 65%. Male patients dominated the ACS population with 73.3%, about half of patients were smoking, and 86.7% had dyslipidemia. Patients with abnormal ABI and multivessel disease had greater number than patients with normal ABI (p=0.025). Analysis with binary logistic regression model showed abnormal ABI(odd ratio [OR] 4.83; p=0.021) and male sex (OR 19.35; p=0.010) were associated with greater risk of multivessel CAD.CONCLUSION: An abnormal ABI is associated with greater risk of multivessel CAD in ACS patients

Relativistic Quantum Games in Noninertial Frames

We study the influence of Unruh effect on quantum non-zero sum games. In particular, we investigate the quantum Prisoners' Dilemma both for entangled and unentangled initial states and show that the acceleration of the noninertial frames disturbs the symmetry of the game. It is shown that for maximally entangled initial state, the classical strategy C (cooperation) becomes the dominant strategy. Our investigation shows that any quantum strategy does no better for any player against the classical strategies. The miracle move of Eisert et al (1999 Phys. Rev. Lett. 83 3077) is no more a superior move. We show that the dilemma like situation is resolved in favor of one player or the other.Comment: 8 Pages, 2 figures, 2 table

A patient with an uncommon complication from insertion of a central venous catheter: A case report

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

Characterization of young children with preferred and non-preferred graphic rule during drawing

This paper aims to investigate the functional connectivity in brain among young children during employment of preferred and non-preferred rule when drawing basic drawing task using Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) and to determine the most significant parameter in differentiating the two groups using handwriting dynamic features and brain activity based on statistical analysis and principle component analysis (PCA). Twelve subjects between 5 and 6 years old were selected randomly. All subjects were asked to gaze and trace four different unlined shapes. The brain signals were recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine during drawing tasks. Result showed that subjects who employed preferred graphic rule (Control) when performing gazing and tracing tasks were better at visual processing when compared to those that used graphic rule in haphazard fashion. Besides, significant difference was found in frequency domain when subjects used graphic rule in rule governed fashion when compared to relaxing activity. The contrast was found when subject used graphic rule in haphazard fashion. Results from PCA showed most significant parameter (gamma/high gamma) in differentiating between the two groups (employed graphic rule vs. non-graphic) was found in tracing task

Simulator for Microlens Planet Surveys

We summarize the status of a computer simulator for microlens planet surveys. The simulator generates synthetic light curves of microlensing events observed with specified networks of telescopes over specified periods of time. Particular attention is paid to models for sky brightness and seeing, calibrated by fitting to data from the OGLE survey and RoboNet observations in 2011. Time intervals during which events are observable are identified by accounting for positions of the Sun and the Moon, and other restrictions on telescope pointing. Simulated observations are then generated for an algorithm that adjusts target priorities in real time with the aim of maximizing planet detection zone area summed over all the available events. The exoplanet detection capability of observations was compared for several telescopes.Comment: Proc. IAU Symp. No. 293 "Formation, detection, and characterization of extrasolar habitable planets", ed. by N. Haghighipour. 4 pages, in pres

Understanding Preclerkship Medical Students’ Poor Performance in Prescription Writing

Objectives: This study aimed to explore reasons for poor performance in prescription writing stations of the objective structured practical examination (OSPE) and absenteeism in prescription writing sessions among preclerkship medical students at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) in Manama, Bahrain. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out between September 2014 and June 2015 among 157 preclerkship medical students at AGU. Data were collected using focus group discussions and a questionnaire with closed- and open-ended items. Results: All 157 students participated in the study (response rate: 100.0%). The most frequently cited reasons for poor performance in OSPE stations were an inability to select the correct drugs (79.6%), treatment duration (69.4%), drug quantity (69.4%) and drug formulation (68.2%). Additionally, students reported inadequate time for completing the stations (68.8%). During focus group discussions, students reported other reasons for poor performance, including examination stress and the difficulty of the stations. Absenteeism was attributed to the length of each session (55.4%), lack of interest (50.3%), reliance on peers for information (48.4%) and optional attendance policies (47.1%). Repetitive material, large group sessions, unmet student expectations and the proximity of the sessions to summative examinations were also indicated to contribute to absenteeism according to open-ended responses or focus group discussions. Conclusion:This study suggests that AGU medical students perform poorly in prescription writing OSPE stations because of inadequate clinical pharmacology knowledge. Participation in prescription writing sessions needs to be enhanced by addressing the concerns identified in this study. Strategies to improve attendance and performance should take into account the learner-teacher relationship

Food groups and risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure : a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies

Background: Despite growing evidence for food-based dietary patterns' potential to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, knowledge about the amounts of food associated with the greatest change in risk of specific cardiovascular outcomes and about the quality of meta-evidence is limited. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize the knowledge about the relation between intake of 12 major food groups (whole grains, refined grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, fish, red meat, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages [SSB]) and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and heart failure (HF). Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed and Embase up to March 2017 for prospective studies. Summary risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using a random effects model for highest versus lowest intake categories, as well as for linear and non-linear relationships. Results: Overall, 123 reports were included in the meta-analyses. An inverse association was present for whole grains (RRCHD: 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92-0.98), RRHF: 0.96 (0.95-0.97)), vegetables and fruits (RRCHD: 0.97 (0.96-0.99), and 0.94 (0.90-0.97); RRstroke: 0.92 (0.86-0.98), and 0.90 (0.84-0.97)), nuts (RRCHD: 0.67 (0.43-1.05)), and fish consumption (RRCHD: 0.88 (0.79-0.99), RRstroke: 0.86 (0.75-0.99), and RRHF: 0.80 (0.67-0.95)), while a positive association was present for egg (RRHF: 1.16 (1.03-1.31)), red meat (RRCHD: 1.15 (1.08-1.23), RRstroke: 1.12 (1.06-1.17), RRHF: 1.08 (1.02-1.14)), processed meat (RRCHD: 1.27 (1.09-1.49), RRstroke: 1.17 (1.02-1.34), RRHF: 1.12 (1.05-1.19)), and SSB consumption (RRCHD: 1.17 (1.11-1.23), RRstroke: 1.07 (1.02-1.12), RRHF: 1.08 (1.05-1.12)) in the linear dose-response meta-analysis. There were clear indications for non-linear dose-response relationships between whole grains, fruits, nuts, dairy, and red meat and CHD. Conclusion: An optimal intake of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, dairy, fish, red and processed meat, eggs and SSB showed an important lower risk of CHD, stroke, and HF

Qatar Exoplanet Survey : Qatar-3b, Qatar-4b and Qatar-5b

We report the discovery of Qatar-3b, Qatar-4b, and Qatar-5b, three new transiting planets identified by the Qatar Exoplanet Survey (QES). The three planets belong to the hot Jupiter family, with orbital periods of $P_{Q3b}$=2.50792 days, $P_{Q4b}$=1.80539 days, and $P_{Q5b}$=2.87923 days. Follow-up spectroscopic observations reveal the masses of the planets to be $M_{Q3b}$=4.31$\pm0.47$ $M_{\rm J}$, $M_{Q4b}$=6.10$\pm0.54$ $M_{\rm J}$, and $M_{Q5b}$ = 4.32$\pm0.18$ $M_{\rm J}$, while model fits to the transit light curves yield radii of $R_{Q3b}$ = 1.096$\pm0.14$ $R_{\rm J}$, $R_{Q4b}$ = 1.135$\pm0.11$ $R_{\rm J}$, and $R_{Q5b}$ = 1.107$\pm0.064$ $R_{\rm J}$. The host stars are low-mass main sequence stars with masses and radii $M_{Q3}$ = 1.145$\pm0.064$ $M_{\odot}$, $M_{Q4}$ = 0.896$\pm0.048$ $M_{\odot}$, $M_{Q5}$ = 1.128$\pm0.056$ $M_{\odot}$ and $R_{Q3}$ = 1.272$\pm0.14$ $R_{\odot}$, $R_{Q4}$ = 0.849$\pm0.063$ $R_{\odot}$ and $R_{Q5}$ = 1.076$\pm0.051$ $R_{\odot}$ for Qatar-3, 4 and 5 respectively. The V magnitudes of the three host stars are $V_{Q3}$=12.88, $V_{Q4}$=13.60, and $V_{Q5}$=12.82. All three new planets can be classified as heavy hot Jupiters (M > 4 $M_{J}$).Comment: 13Pages, 8Figure

Handheld device for non-contact thermometry via optically detected magnetic resonance of proximate diamond sensors

Optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy of defect-rich semiconductors is being increasingly exploited for realising a variety of practical quantum sensing devices. A prime example is the on-going development of compact magnetometers based on the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect in diamond for the remote sensing of magnetic signals with high accuracy and sensitivity. In these applications, the ODMR-active material is integrated into the overall apparatus to form a self-contained sensor. However, some emerging applications require the sensing material to be in physical contact with an external object of interest, thus requiring an independent readout device. Here we present an ODMR-meter, a compact device specially designed to allow convenient, contactless monitoring of ODMR in a target object, and demonstrate its application to temperature monitoring with NV defects. Our prototype is composed of a handheld readout head (integrating all the necessary optical components and a microwave antenna) and a control box connected to a laptop computer, all made primarily from commercial off-the-shelf components. We test our device using an NV-rich bulk diamond as the object, demonstrate a temperature sensitivity of $10~{\rm mK}/\sqrt{\rm Hz}$ in static conditions, and demonstrate the feasibility of handheld operation. The limitations to measurement speed, sensitivity and accuracy are discussed. The presented device may find immediate use in medical and industrial applications where accurate thermometry is required, and can be extended to magnetic field measurements