Microelectronic circuits for noninvasive ear type assistive devices

An ear type system and its circuit realization with application as new assistive devices are investigated. The auditory brainstem responses obtained from clinical hearing measurements are utilized for which the ear type systems mimicking the physical and behavioral characteristics of the individual auditory system are developed. In the case that effects from the hearing loss and disorder can be detected via the measured responses, differentiations between normal and impaired characteristics of the human auditory system are made possible from which the new noninvasive way of correcting these undesired effects is proposed. The ear type system of auditory brainstem response is developed using an adaptation of the nonlinear neural network architecture and the system for making a correction is realized using the derived inverse of neural network. Microelectronic circuits of the systems are designed and simulated showing a possibility of developing into a hearing aid type device which potentially helps hearing impaired patients in an alternate and noninvasive useful way

The scope and limitations of human resource management: a case study of the Bank of Thailand

This study investigates and analyses the scope and limitations of human resource management (HRM) in a distinctive organisational and social context using a casestudy of management policies and employee responses at the Bank of Thailand (BoT ) at the turn of the century. The theoretical framework for the study is developed through a discussion of influential academic approaches to HRM and some of the main critical commentaries. The main objective of the thesis is to analyse the scope and limitations of the application and implementation of HRM in such a setting. The research uses a qualitative case-study method of research, based on interviews, documentary analysis and participant observation, linked to and informed by actual work experience. It also seeks to place the experience of organisational changes in the BoT in the context of wider developments in work and e:,.ip loyment relations in Thailand. There are three main arguments in this study. Firstly, a `generalised' HRM approach does not set out to accommodate the specificity of organisational activities or the differences between different groups within the org, inisation. Secondly, an `idealised' HRM programme fails to address the importance of power relations and conflict in organisational change. Finally, human resource specialists remain relatively marginalised and are unable to develop and deploy their expertise because the HRM programme does not recognise the importance oF this problem. These arguments are developed through an analysis of (i) the pre-existing pattern of employment and organisational arrangements at the BoT, which involved both paternalism and the concentration of management authorihy; (ii) the origins and rationale of the HRM programme at the Bank, with particular reference to the roles of senior management and outside consultants; and (iii) a detailed discussion of the responses of Bank employees, both managers and other staff, that addresses the character and sources of their mixed responses, involving acceptance and sometimes enthusiasm but also uncertainty and criticism

Development of a clockwork light source to enable cervical inspection by village health workers

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer can often be prevented by screening and may be curable if identified and treated in its early stages. However, 80% of new cases occur in less-developed countries where cervical cancer screening programmes are small-scale or non-existent. This is a human tragedy of great proportion, with many of those affected being young mothers. There is some evidence that cancerous or precancerous lesions may be detected by visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and field studies indicate that this technique is effective, safe and acceptable to women. However, the provision of a light source for inspection of the cervix presents a major problem in less-developed countries, where candles and torches often provide the only means of illumination. Our objective was to develop a light source based on clockwork technology, that required no batteries or external power source. METHODS: We adapted the design of a commercially available clockwork torch to provide a light source for cervical inspection. The light source was then tested under laboratory conditions in a comparison with other illumination methods typically used in this application. RESULTS: The light source gave illuminance levels greater than those produced by any other method tested, and also had considerable advantages in terms of ease of use and safety. CONCLUSION: This design is small, compact, effective and safe to use and promises a better and more affordable means of visualising the cervix. Further field trials of VIA are now required which incorporate this light source

Reference Ranges for Bone Mineral Density and Prevalence of Osteoporosis in Vietnamese Men and Women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different reference ranges in bone mineral density on the diagnosis of osteoporosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This cross-sectional study involved 357 men and 870 women aged between 18 and 89 years, who were randomly sampled from various districts within Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. BMD at the femoral neck, lumbar spine and whole body was measured by DXA (Hologic QDR4500). Polynomial regression models and bootstraps method were used to determine peak BMD and standard deviation (<it>SD</it>). Based on the two parameters, we computed T-scores (denoted by <it>T</it>_VN) for each individual in the study. A similar diagnosis was also done based on T-scores provided by the densitometer (<it>T</it>_DXA), which is based on the US White population (NHANES III). We then compared the concordance between <it>T</it>_VNand <it>T</it>_DXAin the classification of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In post-menopausal women, the prevalence of osteoporosis based on femoral neck <it>T</it>_VNwas 29%, but when the diagnosis was based on <it>T</it>_DXA, the prevalence was 44%. In men aged 50+ years, the <it>T</it>_VN-based prevalence of osteoporosis was 10%, which was lower than <it>T</it>_DXA-based prevalence (30%). Among 177 women who were diagnosed with osteoporosis by <it>T</it>_DXA, 35% were actually osteopenia by <it>T</it>_VN. The kappa-statistic was 0.54 for women and 0.41 for men.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest that the <it>T-</it>scores provided by the Hologic QDR4500 over-diagnosed osteoporosis in Vietnamese men and women. This over-diagnosis could lead to over-treatment and influence the decision of recruitment of participants in clinical trials.</p

Bone mineral density, body mass index and cigarette smoking among Iranian women: implications for prevention

BACKGROUND: While risk factors of osteoporosis in Western populations have been extensively documented, such a profile has not been well studied in Caucasians of non-European origin. This study was designed to estimate the modifiable distribution and determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) among Iranian women in Australia. METHODS: Ninety women aged 35 years and older completed a questionnaire on socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) using DXA (GE Lunar, WI, USA), and was expressed in g/cm(2 )as well as T-score. RESULTS: In multiple regression analysis, advancing age, lower body mass index (BMI), and smoking were independently associated with LS and FN BMD, with the 3 factors collectively accounting for 30% and 38% variance of LS and FN BMD, respectively. LS and FN BMD in smokers was 8% lower than that in non-smokers. Further analysis of interaction between BMI and smoking revealed that the effect of smoking was only observed in the obese group (p = 0.029 for LSBMD and p = 0.007 for FNBMD), but not in the overweight and normal groups. Using T-scores from two bone sites the prevalence of osteoporosis (T-scores ≤ -2.5) was 3.8% and 26.3% in pre-and post-menopausal women, respectively. Among current smokers, the prevalence was higher (31.3%) than that among ex-smokers (28.6%) and non-smokers (7.5%). CONCLUSION: These data, for the first time, indicate that apart from advancing age and lower body mass index, cigarette smoking is an important modifiable determinant of bone mineral density in these Caucasians of non-European origin