The Key Success Factors of Wearable Computing Devices: An User-Centricity Perspective

In modern electronic business era, the currently popular topic of wearable computing devices (WCD) has prompted foreign and local industry players to look proactively into various WCD-related developments, including the external appearances of WCD hardware, software applications, human-device interface designs, and the appearances of WCDs expected by general users. Setting aside the necessary functional specifications and application requirements of WCDs, the wearing habits that general users have already developed is a more fundamental consideration. These habits should form the basis for the design of both WCD hardware and software at the technological level. In this paper, an analysis is made of the items that general users customarily wear and the purpose(s) and frequency of wearing them. The findings will serve as a reference for industry players who wish to enter the WCD market

Design of a Multi-Host Shared Memory Services System

Memory cache is one kind of memory, through which data and objects are stored, thereby reducing the time required to access the database and hard disk I/O, and achieving accelerated technology effects by a significant application in large-scale web systems. In this paper, we design Memcahed Helper (MH), based on a set of memcached with the scalability of a distributed memory cache system, in line with the progress of the cloud environment. The experimental results show that this system and the more efficient use of memory, provides better performance and speed

Fabrication of GaN-Based White Light-Emitting Diodes on Yttrium Aluminum Garnet-Polydimethylsiloxane Flexible Substrates

This study concerns the characteristics of white GaN-based light-emitting diode (LED) on flexible substrates. The thin film GaN-based blue LEDs were directly transferred from sapphire onto the flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates by laser lift-off (LLO) process. The PDMS substrates were incorporated 10–40% cerium doped yttrium aluminum garnet phosphor, YAG:Ce3+, and formed the GaN-based white LEDs. The white LEDs prepared by the GaN-based LEDs on the YAG-PDMS substrates reveal one peak at 470 nm corresponding to the emission of the GaN-based LED and a broadband included five weak peaks caused by YAG:Ce3+ phosphors

Exploring the core knowledge of business intelligence

With the rapid development of data analysis, there is few research on the core knowledge of business intelligence system (BIS). In order to fill this research gap, this paper collected the 1003 articles and 31345 references from the Web of Science database, and then applied co-citation analysis and factor analysis, to analyze their core knowledge. We identified 52 highly cited articles and obtained 9 core knowledge categories in the field of BI: BI success, IT acceptance and measurement, big data analysis,dataanalysis anddecision making,business strategy, BIS,consumer behavior, knowledge management, business adoption. Research shows that BISs are still in the growing trend and core knowledge helps researchers and managers better understand the core concepts and relevance of BI, so as to quickly discover possible research directionsinthisresearchfieldandusefulapplicationsintheenterprise

Papillary Adenocarcinoma of Rete Testis Mimics Inflammatory Lump: A Case Report

We presented a rare extratesticular neoplasm, papillary adenocarcinoma of rete testis, which manifested variable symptoms and mimicked most frequently seen benign extratesticular lesions. Due to its rarity, the treatment is therefore uncertain. Our patient's clinical manifestations mimicked an inflammatory lump and underwent radical orchiectomy after pathological report had been confirmed. Unlike other reports, our patient survives and has a good outcome. No definite predictor and tumor marker can be used to define the prognosis. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment may have a good outcome

Biomechanical comparison of lumbar spine instability between laminectomy and bilateral laminotomy for spinal stenosis syndrome – an experimental study in porcine model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The association of lumbar spine instability between laminectomy and laminotomy has been clinically studied, but the corresponding <it>in vitro </it>biomechanical studies have not been reported. We investigated the hypothesis that the integrity of the posterior complex (spinous process-interspinous ligament-spinous process) plays an important role on the postoperative spinal stability in decompressive surgery.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Eight porcine lumbar spine specimens were studied. Each specimen was tested intact and after two decompression procedures. All posterior components were preserved in Group A (Intact). In Group B (Bilateral laminotomy), the inferior margin of L4 lamina and superior margin of L5 lamina were removed, but the L4–L5 supraspinous ligament was preserved. Fenestrations were made on both sides. In Group C (Laminectomy) the lamina and spinous processes of lower L4 and upper L5 were removed. Ligamentum flavum and supraspinous ligament of L4–L5 were removed. A hydraulic testing machine was used to generate an increasing moment up to 8400 N-mm in flexion and extension. Intervertebral displacement at decompressive level L4–L5 was measured by extensometer</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results indicated that, under extension motion, intervertebral displacement between the specimen in intact form and at two different decompression levels did not significantly differ (<it>P </it>> 0.05). However, under flexion motion, intervertebral displacement of the laminectomy specimens at decompression level L4–L5 was statistically greater than in intact or bilateral laminotomy specimens (<it>P </it>= 0.0000963 and <it>P </it>= 0.000418, respectively). No difference was found between intact and bilateral laminotomy groups. (<it>P </it>> 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We concluded that a lumbar spine with posterior complex integrity is less likely to develop segment instability than a lumbar spine with a destroyed anchoring point for supraspinous ligament.</p

Hypothermic manipulation of bone cement can extend the handling time during vertebroplasty

BACKGROUND: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is commonly used for clinical applications. However, the short handling time increases the probability of a surgeon missing the crucial period in which the cement maintains its ideal viscosity for a successful injection. The aim of this article was to illustrate the effects a reduction in temperature would have on the cement handling time during percutaneous vertebroplasty. METHODS: The injectability of bone cement was assessed using a cement compressor. By twisting the compressor, the piston transmits its axial load to the plunger, which then pumps the bone cement out. The experiments were categorized based on the different types of hypothermic manipulation that were used. In group I (room temperature, sham group), the syringes were kept at 22°C after mixing the bone cement. In group 2 (precooling the bone cement and the container), the PMMA powder and liquid, as well as the beaker, spatula, and syringe, were stored in the refrigerator (4°C) overnight before mixing. In group 3 (ice bath cooling), the syringes were immediately submerged in ice water after mixing the bone cement at room temperature. RESULTS: The average liquid time, paste time, and handling time were 5.1 ± 0.7, 3.4 ± 0.3, and 8.5 ± 0.8 min, respectively, for group 1; 9.4 ± 1.1, 5.8 ± 0.5, and 15.2 ± 1.2 min, respectively, for group 2; and 83.8 ± 5.2, 28.8 ± 6.9, and 112.5 ± 11.3 min, respectively, for group 3. The liquid and paste times could be increased through different cooling methods. In addition, the liquid time (i.e. waiting time) for ice bath cooling was longer than for that of the precooling method (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both precooling (i.e. lowering the initial temperature) and ice bath cooling (i.e. lowering the surrounding temperature) can effectively slow polymerization. Precooling is easy for clinical applications, while ice bath cooling might be more suitable for multiple-level vertebroplasty. Clinicians can take advantage of the improved injectability without any increased cost

THE EFFECTS OF FUNGAL MEDIUM ON HATCHING RATE OF BITING MIDGE

The little black mosquitos, Forcipomyia taiwana, bite human and become one of the most annoying pests in Taiwan. Recently, the population of F. taiwana increases and invades urban and countryside. In order to effectively prevent the harassment of F. taiwana, develop control strategy is urgent and necessary. Our study found that the fungal medium influenced the length and width of the F. taiwana eggs. It also significantly decreased the hatching rate of F. taiwana. Besides, this artificial diet was more non-toxic and environment-friendly than general chemical pesticides. Thus, this study provided critical information to develop potentially useful bait of F. taiwana in the future

Gaseous, PM2.5 Mass, and Speciated Emission Factors from Laboratory Chamber Peat Combustion

Peat fuels representing four biomes of boreal (western Russia and Siberia), temperate (northern Alaska, USA), subtropical (northern and southern Florida, USA), and tropical (Borneo, Malaysia) regions were burned in a laboratory chamber to determine gas and particle emission factors (EFs). Tests with 25 % fuel moisture were conducted with predominant smoldering combustion conditions (average modified combustion efficiency (MCE) =0.82+/-0.08). Average fuel-based EFCO2 (carbon dioxide) are highest (1400 +/- 38 g kg(-1)) and lowest (1073 +/- 63 g kg(-1)) for the Alaskan and Russian peats, respectively. EFCO (carbon monoxide) and EFCH4 (methane) are similar to 12 %15 % and similar to 0.3 %0.9 % of EFCO2, in the range of 157171 and 310 g kg(-1), respectively. EFs for nitrogen species are at the same magnitude as EFCH4, with an average of 5.6 +/- 4.8 and 4.7 +/- 3.1 g kg(-1) for EFNH3 (ammonia) and EFHCN (hydrogen cyanide); 1.9+/-1.1 g kg(-1) for EFNOx (nitrogen oxides); and 2.4+/-1.4 and 2.0 +/- 0.7 g kg(-1) for EFNOy (total reactive nitrogen) and EFN2O (nitrous oxide). An oxidation flow reactor (OFR) was used to simulate atmospheric aging times of similar to 2 and similar to 7 d to compare fresh (upstream) and aged (downstream) emissions. Filter-based EFPM2.5 varied by \u3e 4-fold (1461 g kg(-1)) without appreciable changes between fresh and aged emissions. The majority of EFPM2.5 consists of EFOC (organic carbon), with EFOC / EFPM2.5 ratios in the range of 52 %98 % for fresh emissions and similar to 14 %23 % degradation after aging. Reductions of EFOC (similar to 79 g kg(-1)) after aging are most apparent for boreal peats, with the largest degradation in low-temperature OC1 that evolves at \u3c 140 degrees C, indicating the loss of high-vapor-pressure semivolatile organic compounds upon aging. The highest EFLevoglucosan is found for Russian peat (similar to 16 g kg(-1)), with similar to 35 %50 % degradation after aging. EFs for water-soluble OC (EFWSOC) account for similar to 20 %62 % of fresh EFOC. The majority (\u3e 95 %) of the total emitted carbon is in the gas phase, with 54 %75 % CO2, followed by 8 %30 % CO. Nitrogen in the measured species explains 24 %52 % of the consumed fuel nitrogen, with an average of 35 +/- 11 %, consistent with past studies that report similar to 1/3 to 2/3 of the fuel nitrogen measured in biomass smoke. The majority (\u3e 99 %) of the total emitted nitrogen is in the gas phase, with an average of 16.7 % as NH3 and 9.5 % as HCN center dot N2O and NOy constituted 5.7 % and 2.9 % of consumed fuel nitrogen. EFs from this study can be used to refine current emission inventories

Pullout strength of pedicle screws with cement augmentation in severe osteoporosis: A comparative study between cannulated screws with cement injection and solid screws with cement pre-filling

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pedicle screws with PMMA cement augmentation have been shown to significantly improve the fixation strength in a severely osteoporotic spine. However, the efficacy of screw fixation for different cement augmentation techniques, namely solid screws with retrograde cement pre-filling versus cannulated screws with cement injection through perforation, remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the difference in pullout strength between conical and cylindrical screws based on the aforementioned cement augmentation techniques. The potential loss of fixation upon partial screw removal after screw insertion was also examined.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The Taguchi method with an L₈array was employed to determine the significance of design factors. Conical and cylindrical pedicle screws with solid or cannulated designs were installed using two different screw augmentation techniques: solid screws with retrograde cement pre-filling and cannulated screws with cement injection through perforation. Uniform synthetic bones (test block) simulating severe osteoporosis were used to provide a platform for each screw design and cement augmentation technique. Pedicle screws at full insertion and after a 360-degree back-out from full insertion were then tested for axial pullout failure using a mechanical testing machine.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results revealed the following 1) Regardless of the screw outer geometry (conical or cylindrical), solid screws with retrograde cement pre-filling exhibited significantly higher pullout strength than did cannulated screws with cement injection through perforation (<it>p </it>= 0.0129 for conical screws; <it>p </it>= 0.005 for cylindrical screws). 2) For a given cement augmentation technique (screws without cement augmentation, cannulated screws with cement injection or solid screws with cement pre-filling), no significant difference in pullout strength was found between conical and cylindrical screws (<it>p ></it>0.05). 3) Cement infiltration into the open cell of the test block led to the formation of a cement/bone composite structure. Observations of the failed specimens indicated that failure occurred at the composite/bone interface, whereas the composite remained well bonded to the screws. This result implies that the screw/composite interfacial strength was much higher than the composite/bone interfacial strength. 4) The back-out of the screw by 360 degrees from full insertion did not decrease the pullout strength in any of the studied cases. 5) Generally, larger standard deviations were found for the screw back-out cases, implying that the results of full insertion cases are more repeatable than those of the back-out cases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Solid screws with retrograde cement pre-filling offer improved initial fixation strength when compared to that of cannulated screws with cement injection through perforation for both the conically and cylindrically shaped screw. Our results also suggest that the fixation screws can be backed out by 360 degrees for intra-operative adjustment without the loss of fixation strength.</p